ORGANISERS of this year’s Elmore Field Days are all smiles, with fine weather forecast for the days ahead.
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There was not a cloud in sight over the Elmore Events Centre on Monday, where more than 700 exhibitors were preparing for the three-day event.
The conditions were in stark contrast to those of last year’s event, which was wet and wild.
The Elmore Field Days represents more than an opportunity to buy and sell agricultural goods and services.
It’s about building relationships with the people who make it possible to make a living, and catching up with old friends.
Simon Schinckel travels to field days all over Australia to promote his haymakers.
He made the 400-kilometre trip from Naracoorte, in South Australia, in the belief the event was one of the best platforms for members of the agricultural community to investigate opportunities to benefit their business.
Online shopping doesn’t allow for people to see and inquire about products to the same degree, he said.
The trip to Elmore has been part of Mr Schinckel’s schedule for the past 25 years – almost half of the event’s 54-year history.
Elmore Field Days president Derek Shotton was impressed by how quickly the site filled this year.
He said high-technology equipment was increasingly prevalent among the displays of the more than 700 exhibitors.
The organising committee has made a conscious effort to boost attractions for families, given this year’s event coincides with the school holidays.
With the weather forecast to be in the 20s throughout the three-day event, which starts tomorrow, Mr Shotton expected the turn-out to be larger than last year’s.
The rain made for trying conditions for all involved.
“It knocked the hell out of us,” Mr Shotton said.
Last year was the first year Colville Pumps and Fabrications exhibited at the Elmore Field Days.
Brenden Colville said it had proven beneficial by boosting awareness of the business.
The Colville family has long been associated with products such as self-priming centrifugal flood pumps.
Mr Colville said many people who encountered the display had been unaware they were still in business.
The exposure made the field days worth the trip from Barham, in New South Wales.
For Echuca CIH, O'Connors Shepparton and Argimac in Ballarat, an appearance at the Elmore Field Days was imperative.
“People expect to see us here,” Tim Edgar, of Echuca CIH, said.
Wes Blake has become a familiar face at the field days, having detailed agricultural machinery at the event for the past 20 years.
He intends to break the streak next year, by going on a well-earned holiday.