Field day

A Field day is a large trade show for agricultural industry and equipment, especially for broadacre farming. It contrasts with an agricultural show in that a show focuses on livestock and judging, a field day focuses on equipment, demonstrations and processes.

A field day may include events such as ploughing competitions not usually associated with shows due to the larger space required.

The events are good sources of agricultural information, as organizers can arrange for guest speakers to talk on a range of topics, such as the talk on the yellow-flowering alfalfa at the South Dakota field day. [cite web| title =Yellow-flowering alfalfa topic of June 26 field day | publisher =High Plains Midwest Ag Journal | url =http://www.webcitation.org/5YjLsKKT7| accessdate =2008-06-21 ] Pecan growers were given a talk on insect control by an entomologist at a recent field day at LSU AgCenter’s Pecan Research/Extension Station in Shreveport, La. [cite web| last =Van Osdell | first =Mary Ann| title =Pecan field day provides latest information | publisher =Delta Farm Press | url =http://deltafarmpress.com/news/pecan-fieldday-0620/ | accessdate =2008-06-21 ]

Australian field days

A Landcare survey conducted in 1992/93 revealed Australian farmers place a high value on field days.cite book |title=Rural Land Degradation in Australia |last=Conacher |first=Arthur |authorlink= |coauthors=Conacher, Jeanette |year=1995 |publisher=Oxford University Press Australia |location=South Melbourne, Victoria |isbn=0195534360 |pages=138 ]

New South Wales

In New South Wales, AgQuip held in August at Gunnedah attracts over 100,000 visitors. It is sponsored by the Commonwealth Bank. The event started in 1973. [cite web|url = http://www.farmonline.com.au/events/agquip2008|title = Commonwealth Bank AgQuip 2008 Announces Dates|date = 2008|accessdate = 2008-07-06] Murrumbidgee Farm Fair is a Field Day which began in 1988 is held at the Yanco Agricultural Institute in Yanco which is held over two days in May of each year and attracting 15,000 visitors. [cite web|url = http://www.leeton.nsw.gov.au/news/pages/2026.html| title = Murrumbidgee Farm Fair powers ahead |accessdate = 2008-07-07]

Field days have been held at Henty since 1963. They are held in the third week of September each year. Over 60,000 people visit the Field Days over the three day period on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. There are over 600 exhibitors each year. It is one of the largest in Australia and displays new agricultural equipment and technology for farmers. The field days are now held at a permanent all-weather rural exhibition site with broad display avenues including a square kilometre (250 acres) of car parking and an on-site airstrip.

A field day is held each year at Murrumbateman in October and has about 20,000 visitors. [cite web|url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/New-South-Wales/Murrumbateman/2005/02/17/1108500197877.html| title = Murrumbateman, New South Wales| work = Travle| publisher = Sydney Morning Herald| accessdate = 2008-07-07] They began in 1979. [cite web|url = http://www.fielddaysonline.com/community.php?action=view&location=54|title = Murrumbateman Field Days >> About| publisher = Australian Field Days Online| accessdate = 2008-07-07]

Queensland

In Queensland, the largest field days in that state are held near Toowoomba attracting over 70,000 visitors and sponsored by Elders Limited known as Elders FarmFest. [cite web|url = http://www.farmonline.com.au/events/farmfest2008/home/feature/498| title = Elders FarmFest| date = 2008| accessdate = 2008-07-06]

South Australia

The Yorke Peninsula Field Days held every second year at Paskeville are the oldest field days in Australia (dating from 1895) [cite web |url=http://www.lifecare.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=103 |publisher=Life Care |accessdate=2008-06-21 |title=Paskeville Field Days ] and the largest in South Australia. [cite news |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |work=ABC Rural |url=http://www.abc.net.au/rural/sa/content/2006/s2043033.htm |title=Live from Paskeville field day |author=Annabelle Homer and Spence Denny |date=25 September 2007 |accessdate=2008-06-21]

Tasmania

The Field days in Tasmania are run by Rural Youth organisation of Tasmania. They are held over three days in May each year at the 200 acre site in Carrick. They had previously been held at a smaller site in Simmons plains.citeweb|url= http://agfest.com.au/about/history|title=History of Agfest |accessdate=2008-10-08 |last= |first= |date= |work= Rural Youth organisation of Tasmania |language=] Today Agfest is Tasmania premier event with over 64.000 people attending in 2008.citeweb|url=http://agfest.com.au/|title=Agfest |accessdate=2008-10-08 |last= |first= |date= |work= Rural Youth organisation of Tasmania |language=]

Victoria

The field days at Elmore commenced in 1964. There is now a permanent site with pavilions, conference rooms and catering facilities which is hired out for events other than the field days which are held in early October. [cite web|url = http://www.elmorefielddays.com.au/index.asp |title = Elmore field days - website|accessdate = 2008-07-07] In 2004 there were 45,000 visitors.

The Mallee Machinery Field Days are held at Speed and commenced in 1979.cite web | url = http://www.mmfd.com.au/History.htm | title = History - Mallee machinery Field Days | publisher = Speed Lions Club | accessdate = 2008-06-20]

Western Australia

Field days commenced at Dowerin in September 1965; they claim to be the longest established field days in Western Australia. They are now known as the "Dowerin GWN Machinery Field Days", naming rights having been granted to regional television broadcaster Golden West Network (GWN) since 1992. [cite web|url = http://www.dowerinfielddays.com.au/history.htm|title = Dowerin Field Days - History|accessdate = 2008-07-07] The Dowerin Field Days are traditionally held during the last week of August each year over a three day period, attracting over 45,000 people, with over 600 exhibitors.

The Margaret River Wine Industry Field Day (now known as the Landmark Wine Industry Field Day) was first held in 1997 with 80 exhibitors, showcasing the latest viticultural and oenologicaltechnology. [cite web|url=http://www.margaretriverwine.org.au/fieldday/index.html |title=Wine Industry Field Day|publisher=Margaret River Wine Association |accessdate=2008-07-09] Since this time it has changed to a biennial event [cite web|url=http://margaretriver.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/field-day-postponed/269579.aspx |title=Field day postponed |publisher=Augusta Margaret River Mail|date=2002-02-27 |accessdate=2008-07-09] and grown to over 200 exhibitors. It is held over two days in May each year at Cowaramup.

References