Events
Visitors to AgQuip in 2019
The 2021 AgQuip Field Days have been rescheduled due to ongoing concerns over the impact of COVID-19 outbreaks, though planning for others is proceeding as planned
November AgQuip Event organisers have postponed the 2021 AgQuip Field Days to November due to increasing and ongoing concerns in relation to the impact of COVID-19 throughout New South Wales. AgQuip was initially scheduled to take place from August 17 to 19 in Gunnedah, NSW, but following an outbreak of COVID-19, which has caused extended lockdowns throughout much of the state, organiser ACM Rural Events has postponed the event to November 16-18. ACM Rural Events group manager Kate Nugent says organisers had made the decision to hold an event this year after consulting with exhibitors and key stakeholders. “We all understand no timing will be ideal for us at the end of this year, however, every effort and emphasis will be placed on marketing AgQuip 2021 to a broader regional audience,” she says. “Whilst AgQuip will be in the midst of harvest, we are hopeful the timing maximises our opportunity to offer all a super-charged attendance feeling confident and safe – and incentivising purchases on the field in a conducive rural environment over the days of this special event.” Planning for the Henty Machinery Field Days, due to take place on September 21–23, and the Australian National Field Days, outside Orange on October 21– 23, is continuing, though organisers of both events said they are continuing to monitor the situation. HMFD chief executive officer Belinda Anderson says the 2021 field days will proceed as scheduled unless otherwise advised by NSW Health, with attendees encouraged to pre-purchase their tickets online and contactless spending encouraged. “Agriculture is an important and essential industry and farmers and agri-businesses need to be networking, researching, and buying,” says Anderson. “Henty Machinery Field Days will provide a safe environment for that to occur.” ANFD organisers say that planning is continuing for their event. “The Committee believes that by October we will be able to bring you a great COVID-Safe event for all to enjoy,” say organisers. “The Australian National Field Days Committee are constantly monitoring the advice of Health and government departments in relation to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.” All three events had previously been cancelled in 2020 as a result of the pandemic.
FUNDING Funding for farmer challenges helps promote Australian agriculture
Quids in Thirteen agricultural shows and related youth groups across Australia have received grant funding via the new Australian Young Farmer Challenge (AYFC) Regional Grant Program. An initiative of the peak body for the 580 agricultural shows across the nation, Agricultural Shows Australia, the grant program helps shows invest in the spectacle of a ‘young farmer challenge’, which is a showcase of young people in Australian agriculture competing in diverse and colourful challenges testing skill, technique, knowledge and safety practices. Held at agricultural shows across the country, young farmer challenges can involve changing tyres, driving tractors, handling alpacas, identifying cattle breeds, putting out fires, tourniqueting faux snake bites, erecting fences and myriad other farming tasks in teams, against the clock and in front of a crowd. Agricultural Shows Australia executive officer Katie Stanley said the Australian Young Farmer Challenge Regional Grant Program required successful recipients to outline their plans for a sustainable competition in their local area or state. “These competitions allow young rural people to take centre stage with their mates in front of the
crowds at agricultural shows, while demonstrating the diverse skills needed to be a modern farmer,” she says. “Shows use this competition to entertain crowds whilst being an educational showcase of young people in agriculture.” The 2020/21 grant program awarded over $75,000 in sponsorship, benefitting over 40 competitions at different shows over the next 18 months. “These competitions provide entertainment and crowd engagement as well education for the broader community about agriculture, food and, more specifically, the role of farmers and farm safety,” says Stanley. “The purpose of the program is to support the sharing of knowledge, encourage community initiatives and promote community leadership. “We encourage all those interested in participating in any of these young farmer challenges, or shows planning on hosting a competition to reach out to their state ag show body or Agricultural Shows Australia.” The project is jointly funded by Agricultural Shows Australia and the Australian government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s Building Landcare Community and Capacity component of the National Landcare Program. To find your local challenge, visit agshowsaustralia.org.au
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