Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
STRONG crowds enjoyed nice weather, machinery and demonstrations at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days on Wednesday.
Field days manager Murray Wilson said Wednesday was typically the busiest day of the event, and this year was no exception.
"Wednesday is usually the family day," he said.
"Lots of people come for two days - one day to shop and one day to look around.
"When the weather is nice, it's a great opportunity to see everything.
"Some of the outer sites do see more people when the weather is cooler because people are willing to walk further."
Mr Wilson said the nature of the field days had changed during the years.
"A lot of exhibitors now treat field days a lot different than they did the past," he said.
"It's not about making sales anymore, it about making contacts, creating leads and building relationships.
"They are more looking for sales down the track and it's really about showcasing for the three days.
"We find that the big agricultural exhibitors come here not expecting or caring about sales, it's more about building that long-term relationship."
Wimmera farmers are looking ahead to sowing this season's crops.
Mr Wilson said farmers were after equipment to help them put the crop in the ground.
"They are looking for the latest technology, innovation and the best machinery," he said.
Highlights of the this year's field days included a motocross stunt show.
"That is a new attraction this year and it has been really popular," he said.
"On Wednesday we managed to get a tractor down there, so the riders were jumping over a great big John Deere tractor.
"The riders said they were happy to jump anything, so we might have a few more tractors there on Thursday."
Mr Wilson said winners of the farm sculpture competition would be announced at 2pm today.
"We are looking forward to seeing who the winners are - no one knows but us," he said.
Mr Wilson said what made the field days so successful was the enthusiasm.
"Everyone is happy, everyone is glad to be here and the weather is pleasant," he said.
Field days president David Jochinke said the field days was a great event for the Wimmera.
"We want to try to make it a celebration of our region," he said.
"Wimmera Development Association's slogan for the Wimmera is 'everything you need' and we want to adopt that slogan for this event."