Ekka cancelled: Cattle farmers pack up and head out of showgrounds

Cattle farmers are hanging up their hats in defeat as they head home following the “heartbreaking” announcement Ekka has been be cancelled for a second year in a row.

Cattle farmers are hanging up their hats in defeat as they head home following the “heartbreaking” announcement Ekka would be cancelled.

Heads hung low and boots were scuffed as farmers, producers and their families began packing up at the usually buzzing Brisbane Showgrounds, which on Monday afternoon was a ghost town.

Cattle exhibitor Jim Christensen, of Kilcoy, said the annual agricultural extravaganza was “the biggest event on our calendar” and had organised 83 of their own cattle for display this year.

Farmer and producer, Jim Christensen of Kilcoy has had to load up his 83 cattle to take home after the Ekka was cancelled. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“We’ve put a lot of time and effort into it so it’s been a bit heartbreaking,” he said.

“And this is our first year showing all our own cattle, meaning that a lot more effort has gone into it.

“It hasn’t been the greatest.”

Mr Christensen is one of the many farmers who will suffer financially from the cancellation of Brisbane’s most popular event.

“The Ekka is major promotion for bull-selling season for us,” he said.

“It’s a disaster for the economy, and for us.”

Farmers, families and producers pack up after the Ekka was cancelled. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The cattle exhibitor said the mood around the deserted showgrounds was mostly “uncertainty” on where the virus would lead them and their business.

“There’s a lot of the unknown and what’s going to happen next,” he sad.

Families, including children, could be seen heaving large hay bales and swags onto the top of loading trucks and leading their cattle onto trucks to head back home.

“We’re all going back home, we’re in the LGA areas that are affected so if the cattle stay here it will become an animal welfare issue later down the track,” he said.

Mr Christensen said although it was disappointing, he understood why the Ekka was cancelled.

“You have to put health first.”

Farmers, families and producers pack up after the Ekka was cancelled. Picture: Zak Simmond