Agfest Tasmania: Full steam for field days

CROWDS turned up early for Agfest’s opening day yesterday making the most of fine and sunny conditions.

All roads to Agfest: William Adams sales representative Brent Gillard setting up his site at the field days. Pictures: Chris Kidd

CROWDS turned up early for Agfest’s opening day yesterday making the most of fine and sunny conditions.

Perfect weather in the lead-up to the event has been ideal for the organising committee.

Agfest chairman Owen Woolley said he was happy to see big numbers coming thought the gates.

“When I walked past main gate earlier there was quite a line-up, so we’re really happy about that,” he said.

“I think few people may have seen the forecast for tomorrow and decided to come today.”

About 116 Rural Youth volunteers are involved with the event this year and Mr Woolley said the site looked great.

“A lot of thanks has to go to the crew for that, they put in a huge amount of work to get it all ready.”

There are 709 exhibitors this year including a large range of machinery dealerships.

Trevor Shipton from TR & KR Shipton has been coming to Agfest since the early 1980s.

Machinery dealer Trevor Shipton is one of the more than 700 Agfest exhibitors. Picture: Chris Kidd

He is hoping farmers are looking to buy plenty of new equipment this year.

“Initially people tend to do an inquiry then do the circle and hopefully come back and buy a tractor,” he said.

“A lot of purchases are made at Agfest and a lot of decisions are made at Agfest and purchased afterwards.”

Early yesterday morning Mr Shipton had already secured two sales for large new- model tractors.

He said while commodity prices had been strong, seasonal conditions were often a significant factor in farmers’ purchasing decisions.

“I think the weather is the main influence,” Mr Shipton said.

“This year being dry it has slowed it down a little bit, but it’s quite OK. Not robust, but OK.”

While there is a significant cost of getting to Agfest Mr Shipton said it was vital from a business perspective.

“Yes, it’s extremely important,” he said.

“It’s a very costly exercise, not just for us but for everyone. You do contemplate whether it’s an option not to be there, but in real life there is not that option, you have to be here.”

Crowds from opening day yesterday.

Agfest continues today and tomorrow from 8am to 5pm at Quercus Park near Carrick.