THE cold winter temperatures didn't dampen the spirits of more than 10,000 attendees, who visited the 32nd annual Ag-Grow Field Days in Emerald.
More than 300 trade exhibits were on site this year, showcasing the latest in innovation and agricultural technology to the Central Highlands for the highly anticipated three-day event.
This year's event has been welcomed by the Central Highlands community, after organisers were forced to cancel the 2020 Field Days due to health restrictions brought on by COVID-19.
Not only did the Ag-Grow Field Day's provide an opportunity to see the latest in farm technology, it was also a chance for farmers to purchase quality lines of bulls, horses and even a top working dog.
The history books were re-written at the Premier Multi-breed Bull Sale, which saw a Simmental bull sell for a Queensland breed-record price of $38,000.
A total of 77 bulls were offered, with 76 selling to average $9145, for a gross of $695,000 and a clearance of 99 per cent.
The same can be said within this year's Wroe and Co working cattle dog auction, in which nine quality dogs sold to produce a top of $8000, and record-breaking sale average of $5530.
If cattle wasn't your forte, then there was plenty of quality present at the horse sale on the final day.
The cold winter temperatures did little to deter spectators from turning up to witness 40 horses go under the hammer, with 35 selling for an 88pc clearance rate, to achieve a top of $21,000 and an average of $9829, to gross $344,000.
Spectators were also rewarded with an opportunity to watch experienced dog handlers showcase over 100 top quality working dogs during the open working dog trials.
It was experienced dog trainer and Middlemount competitor Paul Wroe, who claimed yet another victory at this year's working dog trials, winning the open competition with his faithful Natel Tippy.
Related Reading
- Apis Creek Pastoral Co sells top priced mare at Ag-Grow horse sale for $21,000.
- Meldon Park Q52 (P) sets $38,000 Simmental Qld breed record at Ag-Grow Multi-Breed Bull Sale in Emerald
- Adam Sibson's dog Shadowvale Bo sells for $8000 to equal sale record
- Paul Wroe wins Ag-Grow dog trial with his champion bitch Natel Tippy
Ag-Grow managing director Geoff Dein said although numbers were down due to contributing factors, the three-day event was on the whole a great success.
"This year we welcomed more than 13,000 people through our gates over three terrific days to carry out business with more than 300 exhibitors representing the best of Australia's agricultural industry," Mr Dein said.
"The big ticket items for farmers were the tractors and apparently on the first day some businesses recorded the best sales that they've achieved at any Ag-Grow event, which was good to hear.
"It is fair to say that our numbers were down this year, but I think you could attribute that to COVID, and some of our exhibitors couldn't get supplies or staff."
Mr Dein said there was a lot of business done during the three-day event.
"The field days are really about business, but I noticed that there was a bit of socialising done too, so it was a little bit of a watershed moment if you like," he said.
"One thing that has always been a stable thing about this event is the social aspect, because we're really out in the farming country and we're fragmented everywhere. This is an occasion for us to get back together.
"Ag-Grow is an economic stimulus for the local community. It fills the hotels, servos and catering places in town."
Mr Dein said he's excited about next year's event, which he believes will be their biggest field days held to date.
"We're looking for a little bit of a surge next year and I have a really strong feeling about that," he said.