HUNDREDS of people from around the state travelled to Speed on Wednesday for the first day of the Mallee Machinery Field Days 2018.
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Organised by the Speed Lions Club, the two day event showcases the latest in broadacre farming technology while providing a fun family day out.
Exhibitors from across the state were on hand to sell their wares, while various community groups provided catering and entertainment.
Mallee Machinery Field Days Committee president Terry Kiley said he expected crowd numbers would be high over both days.
“Reports have come back to me that there are a lot of cars in the carpark. It’s probably going to be bigger than last year because it rained very heavy on day two last year,” he said.
He said it was special year for the event.
“What I’m most excited about is celebrating our 40 years,” he said.
“We just had a luncheon with all the original members that are still with us to honour their vision.
“We’re a non-for-profit organisation and all the money that is raised returns back into the community through the Speed Lions Club.
“The work ethic of the committee is great, we’re all about community and we keep trying to introduce new members to keep it vibrant.
“It is a great two days out whether it’s a good season or a bad season, people need to get out.”
Mr Kiley said the agriculture industry had seen many changes since the event first started.
“I’ve been involved for about seven years. The technology over the last decade has really changed in our region here,” he said.
The Nandaly farmer said it had been a tough year for producers across the Wimmera and Mallee regions.
“It’s the lack of rain that has people concerned,” he said.
He said hoped next year’s event would be even bigger and better.
“We’ve got some room to expand, but we’re very limited because we’ve only got 24 members,” he said.
“So we don’t want to make it too hard on ourselves.”
With outlets across the Wimmera, O’Connors is one of the region’s premier farm machinery and agricultural equipment retailers. O’Connors Birchip and Warracknabeal sales manager Tom Sheridan said he was excited to show people the latest in farm technology at the Mallee Machinery Field Days.
“We have our full range of gear here, from our headers and tractors to our top of the range sprayers,” he said.
“We’re also really excited to have some of our tillage equipment here. Our header always turns heads and is one of the most popular ones on the market. We’ve been really busy and we’ve made some good sales.”