Now in its 33rd year, the Ag-Grow Emerald Field Days provides a platform for a legion of exhibitors to showcase their latest innovations across a wide range of agricultural and related endeavours.
This year's event, being held from Thursday, June 23 to Saturday, June 25, will see more than 300 businesses promote and display their products and services to the more than 20,000 visitors who pass through the gates for Queensland's second largest annual agricultural field days.
Ag-Grow manager Donna Reeves said primary producers in Central Qld have to travel up to six hours to shop for agricultural machinery, fencing supplies, and more.
"For this reason, many of our visitors annually wait for Ag-Grow, to have a look at the new innovations and to purchase whatever they need for the year ahead," Ms Reeves said.
"I believe we offer something different to other field days as we have our bull and horse sales, working cattle dog trials and sales, Forshaw Performance Horses and Paul Rushton Horsemanship shows, as well as a free Kidzone for the children and plenty of entertainment for all, including live music across the days. It's a real social event for the year in the Central Highlands," she said.
While the focus of the field days is firmly planted in providing a place for first-rate products and services to be offered to interstate and intrastate visitors, the organising committee also caters for families.
Ms Reeves said those looking to take a quick break from traversing the grounds while letting their children have a blast, can head to the KidsZone.
"Providing an area for kids to have fun on the day out at Ag-Grow, at no cost to their parents, has always been an important part of what we provide.
"For the kids there is a petting zoo, jumping castles and more. The KidsZone also has a parents retreat with changing and feeding rooms for mothers as well."
She said since the KidsZone was first introduced at the 2014 field days it has grown in leaps and bounds.
"The expansion of the KidsZone area wouldn't have been possible with out the ongoing support of Granular Products, mining entities Kestrel Coal, Sojitz Minerva, and Coronado Curragh, as well as St Ursula's College - Yeppoon, Whitsunday Anglican School, and St Brendan's College."
Situated alongside the KidsZone is the Ladies Lane, which is expected to be even more heavily populated with exhibits after it proved highly popular at its debut for the 2021 field days.
"We've had requests for exhibits geared more towards women and children, and as Ag-Grow is a social event as well as a field day, we've brought in exhibitors that have a little bit for everyone to look at this year.
"At the Entertainment Square, situated in the middle of the grounds, guest speakers and musical acts will keep visitors informed and entertained. It's an area for visitors to sit down and relax to give your feet a rest, have something to eat.
"Live musical acts this year will the well known and highly respected indigenous performer, Richie Odo, and Country singer-songwriter Tameaka Powell, who'll be making her Ag-Grow debut."
Ms Reeves said the organising committee's role is to connect business to business, business to consumer, exporter with new markets and town with country.
"The sheer magnitude of Ag-Grow takes a considerable amount of organisation and preparation. Of course our success in realising this vision wouldn't be possible without the amazing support Ag-Grow receives from our sponsors, and new and returning exhibitors for the annual event.
"I'd like to acknowledge our staffs' hard work and dedication to ensure the continual success of Ag-Grow each year. I would also like to thank our sponsors for their continued support, in particular our major sponsor Granular Products, who've partnered with us for the past five years.
"I'd also like to thank our other partnered sponsors: Budget Steel; Elders; Queensland Country Life; Telstra; Top Country; CMF Forklifts Sales Hire & Service; CMF Rural; Emerald Central Hotel; and Western Gateway Motel. We greatly appreciate your support.
"On behalf of the Ag-Grow Field Days management and staff we'd like to offer you a warm welcome and invitation to attend the annual field days to be held at the Ag-Grow Complex in Emerald, Queensland."
The gates to the Ag-Grow site will open from 8am daily, and will close at 5pm on the Thursday and Friday, and at 3pm on the Saturday.
For enquiries visit the Ag-Grow Emerald Field Days website or email admin@aggrow.com.au
