There were some big winners at the Elmore Field Days extravaganza, but perhaps none were more thrilled than rising designer star, Maryborough student Jaclyn Holland.
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The 17-year-old Highview student found the perfect balance of wire, wool, gumnut and paint (crafted from ground-up rocks) in her wearable agricultural art piece to claim the 18 and under winning spot.
The first-time entrant said she thought she was “dreaming” when she was announced as a winner for her category.
The winner of the avant garde category was “Kurrajong Armour” by designer Jan Dew, with her design almost entirely crafted from kurrajong pods.
The pods were grown on her property and during times of drought they are used as fodder.
Designer Katrina Christie was on fire with her flame-inspired creation “Majestic Blaze”, which won the design category.
The beauty and deconstruction of bushfire – with leaping orange flames leaving charred black earth behind – was the inspiration for the ball gown.
Away from the fashions and out on the farm, inventions for efficiency and precision were the big winners in the field.
Topcon Precision Agriculture’s Apollo isobus rate and section control unit taking out the Telstra award for technology and innovation, for its technology created for accurate distribution of liquid, fertiliser and seed.
The device puts farmers in the drivers seat when it comes to sowing their seeds and saving their pennies.
Product team leader Sean Metcalfe said previous devices had a 10 per cent gap in accuracy, but the Apollo was accurate within 1 per cent.
Mr Metcalfe said the benefit meant farmers could apply product, such as nitrogen, with heightened accuracy which could save farmers tens of thousands of dollars.
“It’s the best economical and environmental return for their investment,” he said.
It’s the best economical and environmental return for their investment.
- Sean Metcalfe
Father and son duo from Moama Jeff and Clay Townrow are celebrating after winning the Tractor and Machinery Association Elmore Machine of the Year. Their high capacity mobile seed grader wowed judges for its efficiency.
Clay Townrow explained the giant machine can grade, clean and provide seed treatments with a 20 to 25 per cent increased capacity.
The higher turnover of barley, wheat and oats meant farmers could replant their crops quickly.
Warrantina Lavender, Kuhn Australia, Techgrow International, Farm Pro, Propharma Australia, CLAAS Harvest Centre Echuca, Tenpack and The Herb Store also took out top awards.
For our full coverage and more photos from Elmore Field Days 2015, click here.
