MACHINERY: Claas's Paul Holdaway with a new tractor at the field days. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
ORGANISERS of the 51st annual Wimmera Machinery Field Days anticipate the three-day event will generate up to $50 million in business.
Field days manager Murray Wilson said there was agricultural machinery worth more than $200 million on the 23-hectare site at Longerenong.
He estimated trade worth between $40 million and $50 million during and following the event.
Emmetts Horsham branch manager Bruce Cobbs said many farmers had recently had a good season with reasonable crops, so they were buying equipment that was going to make them even more productive this season.
"Farmers who are in the lead and wanting to be more efficient are purchasing machinery," he said.
Field days committee president Andrew Bell said he was happy with crowd numbers on opening day yesterday.
"People were walking around looking very happy," he said.
Mr Bell said feedback about the site at Longerenong had been positive.
"People were commenting about the neatness of the site," he said.
Mr Bell said the day had a great family atmosphere.
He said with almost 700 exhibitors at the field days, there was something for everyone.
"Children enjoyed the miniature train rides and animal farm," he said.
"Farmers enjoyed looking at the new machinery.
"Both Emmetts and O'Connors have new equipment to display.''
He said families appreciated all the gourmet food on offer.
"There are plenty of different foods and coffee available," he said.
This year's field days feature 130 new exhibitors, with about 30 exhibitors launching new products.
Mr Bell said a highlight of the field days was a fashion parade by Horsham College students.
"We have renovated the auditorium this year and it looks really nice," he said.
"We have also had a fantastic sculpture competition on display and the winners will be announced at 2pm on Thursday."
Mr Bell said crowd numbers were pleasing yesterday.
"There was a solid crowd," he said.
"There were lots of cars around so that was a good indicator of how many people were here.
"Members also enjoyed a separate carpark this year, so we now have access to the site from three sides."
Mr Bell said the weather also helped crowd numbers.
"We should have three even days which is great," he said.
Preparations for the field days were finalised on Monday.
"We were very busy for most of last week," he said.
"We had three or four committee members here each day, which helped lessen the job."
Mr Bell said today was known as people's day at the field days and a lot of schools would attend.
