NEXT month’s Sungold Field Days are shaping to be the biggest in the event’s history with the site at full capacity for the first time in a sign of renewed confidence in the dairy industry.
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The event’s 245 sites have already been filled and with many businesses sharing sites, the number of exhibitors could top 500.
Field days chairman Tony Rea said record interest in the event, now in its 34th year, was a reflection of a resurgent dairy industry.
“Exhibitors have never booked in as early as they have this year,” he said.
“I am convinced that the free trade agreements negotiated by the federal government with China, South Korea, Japan and hopefully India have played a big part in this new-found enthusiasm.”
With the south-west producing about a quarter of the nation’s milk, Mr Rea said it was important the field days remained at the cutting edge.
“All the exhibitors have something to offer in their own right,” he said.
“Farmers love coming here and viewing so much equipment and new technology in the one place at the one time.”
Among the exhibitors will be more than 50 attending for the first time.
Mr Rea said many companies would also be offering the first glimpse of new equipment. “We will have about 25 new product releases at the field days this year,” he said.
“We’re the first field days on the calendar so these new releases will be seen for the first time.”
Moyne Shire councillor and farmer Jim Doukas said while a more buoyant dairy industry could be contributing to the event’s record popularity, there were also other factors at play.
“People in general have realised the value of the field days,” he said.
“Farmers haven’t got time to shop around and they can come to the field days and do it all in one go.”
Cr Doukas, a keen supporter of the field days, said it was pleasing to see the event grow each year.
“I really congratulate the field days. It’s quite an effort to be going all these years,” he said.
“It’s a great place, not only from a business perspective but you get to catch up with people you wouldn’t see at other times of the year.
“Just having that time to spend with other farmers, it’s a feel-good thing.”
Mr Rea said new attractions such as a motorbike show and celebrity chefs would also ensure there was plenty to keep crowds entertained.
This year’s Sungold Field Days will be held from Wednesday, February 11, until Friday, February 13.
