A record number of exhibitors and high level of optimism has made AgQuip 2015 bigger and better than ever, organisers say.
Deemed Australia’s premier farming event, the annual Agquip field days was held in Gunnedah, New South Wales this year from August 18 to 20.
According to Fairfax Rural Events group manager Kate Nugent, over 3000 companies; both local and international; signed up to exhibit at this year’s field days.
“This year our exhibitor numbers are in fact up, we’re at a premium covering 26 hectares of static display and demonstration area with 3000 companies represented on site,” she says.
“We’re very thrilled that we’ve been able to achieve that incredible representation of the Australian agricultural industry.
Nugent adds the numbers can be very favourably compared to those of 1993 when Agquip began.
“In those days, we only had 63 exhibitors and there was an estimated crowd of 23,000 people, so [the field days] has come a long way.”
Nugent says several factors have contributed to a higher level of optimism in the industry and consequently this year’s show success.
These include the recently signed Free Trade Agreements with China, Japan and Korea; as well as low interest rates, high cattle prices and fair seasonal conditions.
“There are still dry surrounds in some parts of Australia however it’s been all roads lead to Commonwealth Bank AgQuip this year,” Nugent says.
A new addition to this year’s event is the Innovation Centre which highlights a string of inventions by local companies catering to the Australian agricultural and rural industry.
Some of the products displayed at the centre include the Bog Out vehicle recovery system, the Ubco utility dual electric drive motor bike and the Rescue Swag safety response kit.
“Every year we see Australian primary producers visit the show to talk to manufacturers and share ideas,” she says.
“From that we’re seeing new products and services develop so we’re giving farmers an opportunity; a platform for these new innovations to be promoted.
“We’re very excited for this particular new initiative for the future.”
An annual highlight at the AgQuip field days is the Brownhill Cup Award which acknowledges primary producers in the northern farming zone who has adopted innovative farming practices to improve sustainability, productivity and profitability.
This year, the accolade went to Breeza cotton and grain grower John Hamparsum and his family for their commitment to land and soil preservation.
In addition, several companies took the opportunity to launch new products at AgQuip.
Top of the list were Mojo Motorcycles with its new Landboss 800D diesel UTV and Falcon UAV with its new AgFalcon quad copter.
Despite some pessimism in the industry about the future of field days like AgQuip, Kate Nugent says they are essential for the growth of the agricultural industry and will go from strength to strength.
“What we’re seeing these days is that visitors are coming from right across Australia and they’re here to touch, feel and see the size and scope of the agri-products on display,” Nugent says.
“For us, it’s gratifying to know that AgQuip is playing such an important part in influencing the Australian agricultural economy and delivering commercial sales and leads.
“If we continue to work with and look after our exhibitors; and that’s what field days across Australia need to be doing; we can play an important role in the marketing, planning and strategies of Australian agricultural companies.
“Then we’ll certainly see growth.”
Photography: Carene Chong, Tom Dickson | Video: Carene Chong