Wimmera Machinery Field Days cancelled for 2021

It was the last field days event held before coronavirus restrictions hit major events across the nation, but now the 2021 Wimmera Machinery Field Days have been cancelled because of the continuing uncertainty.

Last event: The Wimmera Field Days in March were the last major field days to be held this year. Picture: Zoe Phillips

ORGANISERS of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days, the last major agricultural show to be held this year, have cancelled next year’s event because of the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus restrictions.

The coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of all field days in Victoria when the state was placed into Stage 3 restrictions in March.

Earlier this month, the 2021 Sungold Field Days organisers also pulled the pin on next year’s Allansford event.

In a statement, the WMFD committee said it had “made the difficult decision to cancel the event for next year”, which was set to be held on March 2-4.

“The Wimmera Machinery Field Days was the last major agricultural field days to be held in 2020 prior to COVID-19 restrictions,” the statement said.

“We were looking forward to being the first major agricultural field days for next year coming off the back of what is looking to be yet another great farming season for in the Wimmera.

“Unfortunately COVID-19 has had, and will continue to have a significant impact on the major events industry and trying to forge ahead for March next year presented high risk and uncertainty.

“We value the support of all our field days exhibitors, contractors, partners, suppliers and community groups who each year help make this a great regional event.”

With almost all field days across the country cancelled this year, their absence has given exhibitors a chance to evaluate their ongoing presence.

For machinery manufacturers it’s an expensive exercise to attend them, with one leading brand saying it costs the company about $250,000 to attend a single field day.

However, the overriding factor supporting field days remains that they are a strong conduit between agriculture and farming, and the community.

As a response to the cancellation of all events, The Weekly Times held an online field days event, VirtuAg, in June

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