Australian Sheep Breeders’ Association president Ross McGauchie hadn’t tallied up the three-day event’s final gate takings yesterday but said this year’s show was on target to beat previous years.

“It has been fantastic, crowd figures are about the same if not bigger than last year, which was a great record so we have maintained that this year,” he said. “We had about 25,000 people walk through the gates last year; I would expect to have the same result this year.”

Mr McGauchie said the weather may have played a part in attracting the large crowd numbers.

“The last couple of years the Sunday has been disappointing, but this year it has been great,” he said.

Mr McGauchie said the annual event would provide Bendigo with an economic boost.

“This event puts millions of dollars into Bendigo, all the restaurants are booked out and all accommodation, so it does bring a lot of good things into Bendigo,” he said.

Site holder Donald Mills, from Kardinia Dohne Studs in Corowa, said he noticed more people at this year’s show than at previous years.

“We have a lot more people passing through, it has been an excellent three days,” he said.

“The sheep industry is in pretty good shape. Most people in sheep are looking at a pretty good economic future so it is great to see so many people involved in the show.”

Mr Mills said having the Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo was a great move from organisers.

“Bendigo as the new home of the show is the best thing organisers could have done,” he said.