11 things I noticed at the FarmFest Field Day

By Dwain Duxson

New staff member Michael Ping, salesman Mike Pickard and I attended the middle day (the Wednesday) of the FarmFest Field Day just outside Toowoomba.

What were my observations of FarmFest, having not been to a field day for a couple of years?

1) The exhibitors were keen to get back into it as it looked like the place was at capacity.

2) There were plenty of people about, and I'm told the majority of the patrons were Farmers. They just announced that 60,000 attended

3) Many exhibitors still sit at the back of the tent, waiting for the people to come to them. I can't work out why exhibitors would pay good money to sit there virtually unnoticed.

4) Quite a few patrons I spoke to complained about going to stands and having exhibitor/s on the phone and having to either wait or walk away because they continued on the phone...

5) The Machinery is so big and complex these days. But it looks so good. No wonder Farmers get excited looking at the new shiny stuff. I did too.

6) It's still a great way to talk to fellow Farmers or industry people. The internet for researching is great but seeing is believing.

7) There was a bit of a buzz and a general level of excitement amongst the crowd. Ag is up and about in Queensland, despite it being too wet in some spots.

8) Field Days are becoming a spot to be seen by Sheep and Cattle Studs.

9) Entry prices at Farm Fest were $8 per adult. Pretty reasonable.

10) My advice is to eat lunch at about 11 am before the queues get too long.

11) It was non-stop at the coffee vans.

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