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BIG CROWDS and an increased number of exhibitors headed to Speed this week for the 39th annual Mallee Machinery Field Days.
The annual two-day event ran on Wednesday and Thursday.
Event secretary Andrew McLean said there were more exhibitors than ever before at this year’s event.
“We had a few people respond late, so we had to find spots for them.
“A few people had to find friends and share a site,” he said.
“We had one business turn up on Tuesday wanting a site, but we found somewhere for them.”
Mr McLean said crowd numbers were strong throughout the events..
“People say that field days are a thing of the past now, but it’s clearly not the case in the Wimmera and Mallee,” he said.
“The weather was good.”
Bean and Barrow’s Sally Taylor bought her Creswick fudge business to the field days this year.
“We make home made fudges from scratch,” she said.
“It’s lovely to get out and bring our produce to a new area, a bit further out.
“Everyone was loving the fudge at the field days and my son Alex was loving looking at the tractors.”
Hausler’s group service manager Jason Hannigan said Wednesday was one of the biggest day he had had at the field days.
“There was good interest and genuine inquiries,” he said.
“We had seeding and harvest machinery, as well as lifestyle equipment such as compact tractors and mowers.
“There was a good mix of interest between everything.”
Mr Hannigan said the Mallee Machinery Field Days was at a good time of the year, between cropping and harvest.
Member for Mallee Andrew Broad officially opened the field days on Wednesday.
He said farmers in the region contributed millions of dollars to the economy.
“We have a strong future in the Mallee region and make a strong contribution to Australian agriculture,” he said.
Site awards were also presented at the opening.
O’Connors Farm Machinery was named the best big site, Power Hound Attachments won best small side and Little Things won best craft and interest site.
Representatives from Speed Lions Club and the National Australia Bank judged the awards.