General News
19 July, 2024
Mallee field days: By farmers for farmers
The Mallee's signature agricultural event, Mallee Machinery Field Days, promises the largest number of exhibitors in its 44-year history.
The event, on a purpose-built site two kilometres south of the small Southern Mallee township of Speed, is set for Wednesday July 31 and Thursday August 1 and is open from 8.30am to 5pm both days.
Terry Daniher, NSW farmer and brother to Motor Neurone Disease sufferer and footy legend Neale Daniher, will officially open the event at 12pm on July 31, speaking on the topics of farming, footy and fighting MND.
The event is attracting 350 exhibitors from across Australia and will showcase items worth more than $100 million.
Organiser Speed Lions Club bills the event with its trademark circular layout as the largest agricultural and agribusiness trade show run by farmers for farmers.
The field days take place in the heart of the Mallee, an area renowned for dryland cropping and prime Mallee lambs.
All organisers are members of Speed Lions Club.
President Chris Monaghan said the event would showcase the latest technology and advances within the agricultural industry.
"We expect about 8000 through the gates over the two days," Mr Monaghan said.
"One attraction on show and used for demonstrations will be a Fendt autonomous - driverless - tractor, the first of its kind in the Mallee and supplied courtesy of Traction Ag, Horsham.
Other highlights include an enlarged general interests area featuring a Proud Poppy pop-up clothing store and "paint and sip" sessions organised by Belinda Eckermann of Rainbow's Turbo Gallery.
Mr Monaghan said the event had proved a major fundraiser for the club for the more than four decades since it started.
Donation recipients from past years have included the Royal Children’s Hospital, The Royal Flying Doctor Service, local hospitals, schools, sporting clubs, community groups and other not-for-profit organisations.
"From humble beginnings, the annual field days have evolved and have stood the test of time, which has been no mean feat for the small dedicated group of volunteers who work year-round to bring the event to fruition," Mr Monaghan said.
In 2021 the club received an Awards Australia Community Group of the Year award, which recognises groups that make a significant contribution to their community, share a strong sense of team spirit and play a vital role in enhancing the social, economic, commercial and environmental prosperity of their region.
* See next week's paper for the full program and event details in our expanded Rural Scene liftout.