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Agricultural epicentre FarmFest is situated in Kingsthorpe in the heart of the Darling Downs. It is a rich pastoral and agricultural region, with Toowoomba as the hub of commercial and light industrial activity in South East Queensland. Well known in the Australian agricultural industry for its dedication to Queensland farming, FarmFest has been a major force in field days for the past 47 years. The Darling Downs region has a reputation as one of Australia’s major agricultural machinery manufacturing locations. It is also surrounded by areas renowned for peanuts, navy beans, grain, pork, stone fruit, grape and wine industry production, vegetables, lucerne, sorghum, wheat, barley, beef cattle, wool, prime lamb production, cotton, sheep, as well as horticulture and pastoral farming.
Elders FarmFest is located on its own dedicated site in Kingsthorpe, just 20 kilometres west of Toowoomba.
FarmFest considered a giant among field days Elders FarmFest has cemented its status as a giant among Australia’s agricultural field days with more than 2000 companies participating in this year’s event. For 47 years, the Toowoomba-based event has been showcasing and demonstrating new products and services. FarmFest is at the forefront of achieving representation from agtech companies across Australia - and the globe - in order to position new technology and innovation right at farmers’ fingertips. ACM Rural Events general manager Kate Nugent believes visitors to this year’s event will be pleasantly surprised at the number of improvements. “The simple grid pattern of the purposebuilt FarmFest site makes it one of the best in Australia for visitors, including special areas for live demonstrations,” Ms Nugent said. “Additional activities are planned at Elders FarmFest including the Caterpillar Global Challenge, the Queensland Working Dog demonstrations and a live auction onsite to raise funds for our farmers affected by floods in south east Queensland and northern NSW.” Traffic management updates will enhance the event’s access and car parking arrangements, with courtesy shuttle buses in the car parks helping visitors make their way to the ticket booths on to the static display grid. Organisers will also have shuttle buses to help visitors navigate around the enlarged 26-hectare site. This year the organisers are installing ticket expressways at the ticket booths to enable visitors who have bought tickets online with easy and quick access to the site. A free parcel pickup service will be avail-
FarmFest is among one of the largest outdoor agricultural industry events, gathering more than 60,000 farming families and consumers. able once again, with investment in developing a streamlined service to purchasers. Other equally important improvements include more seating, more shade and more food choices. Organisers will be working to ensure
“safety best practice“ with sanitiser stations located across the site, signage to encourage hand washing, physical distancing and returning home if you present with Covid-19 symptoms. “Most importantly, you’ll discover the
greatest and the latest national agricultural brands in one location, in Queensland, at one time of year, at one special event Elders FarmFest 2022,” Ms Nugent said. “It is unbelievable - and as the saying goes, ‘you have to see it to believe it’!”
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Machinery displays at FarmFest.
A renewable energy display at FarmFest 2021.
Make date with innovation Queensland’s biggest primary industry business event, the three-day FarmFest field days, will return this year from 7 to 9 June. ACM Rural Events, the organisers of Elders FarmFest, has been taking a steady stream of enquiry since the conclusion of last year’s successful sales event. General manager Kate Nugent said despite all Covid conditions, the overall outlook in Australian agriculture was one of high optimism. She said the feedback received from many agri-manufacturers and service providers across Queensland and other states had positioned this year’s Elders FarmFest in a positive light. Strong interest was anticipated as the industry navigated the safe return of major events. “I am certain we will see an even stronger showing of interest and support from farmers and people on the land, on the back of a record-breaking visitation last year,” Ms Nugent said. Elders FarmFest is located on its own dedicated site in Kingsthorpe, just 20 kilometres west of Toowoomba, in the heart of the Darling Downs, one of Australia’s richest agricultural regions. The event is designed to offer display promotional and sales opportunities to all agribusinesses, from big farm machinery, tractors, tillage and irrigation equipment to pumps and power tools. Ms Nugent said “more than ever” FarmFest was recognised as playing an important role in the Australian agricultural industry. “We offer enormous opportunities to showcase new products and services, demonstrate machinery, highlight new technology, innovation and information.” In 2004, ACM Rural Events, a division of Australian Community Media, the largest and
FarmFest positions new technology and innovation right at farmers’ fingertips. leading independent regional and rural publisher in Australia, bought FarmFest. ACM Rural Events organise and promote several field days in Australia - including Australia’s largest - the AgQuip Field Days in Gunnedah, NSW. This year at Elders Farmfest, an Agri-Tech Expo will highlight modern innovation in the agribusiness industry. An Education Expo and seminars, meanwhile, will shine a spotlight on ground-break-
ing and exciting new farming practices to drive farming efficiency, productivity and profitability. FarmFest is among one of the largest outdoor agricultural industry events, gathering more than 60,000 farming families and consumers. “The key to the event is to ensure the experience always puts the customer front and centre – to enable the exhibitor’s product and service to resonate with them at a deeper and
more impactful level than any other marketing platform,” Ms Nugent said. FarmFest has been a significant force in field days over the past 47 years. It is an incomparable agricultural hybrid event in Queensland and the 2022 event will be no exception. * For information about exhibiting, please contact the event organisers ACM Rural Events on email farmfest@austcommunitymedia. com.au or go to the FarmFest web site at farmfest.com.au.
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Fast facts on FarmFest FarmFest is Queensland’s premier pri· Elders mary industry field days. FarmFest is Queensland’s biggest field · Elders days and fastest growing agri-event in Aus-
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tralia. Elders FarmFest field days in 2022 has became the largest event recorded in its history. Elders FarmFest celebrates its 47th anniversary. Elders FarmFest is a Safe Site – operating under Event Safety best practices. All attendees to follow the event safety, practice physical distancing, wash hands regularly and if you feel unwell with COVID-19 symptoms please return home. Elders FarmFest is staged over three days in early June; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, June 7, 8 and 9. Elders FarmFest site is located twenty kilometres west of Toowoomba, QLD, off the Warrego Highway – in the heart of the Darling Downs. Elders FarmFest is held on its own dedicated site at Kingsthorpe Park, QLD. Elders FarmFest has its own App – go to Apple App Store or Google Play to download your free copy one month prior to the event. Elders FarmFest has its own radio station – FarmFest FM 94.5, powered by Elders commences transmission during the event. Opening hours are from 8:30am to 4:30pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, with an earlier close on Thursday from 8:30am to 4pm. Size of the static display area is 26 hectares, including Livestock Area; Farm Machinery demonstration area; Drone demonstration area; SXS and Motor Bike demonstration area; 4WD demonstration area; Working Dog demonstration area and the new Agri-Tech Alley
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Smart farming from a hand-held device.
· Parking areas will open from 7.30am. parking is free. Elders FarmFest car · Car parks have capacity for more than 8000 vehicles.
· Elders FarmFest has introduced a new Ticket ·
Expressway at the ticket booths at the event for visitors who pre-purchase tickets online to avoid queuing and offer an easier and quick access to the static display grid. Tickets online go on sale from 1 May 2022
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via the website www.farmfest.com.au. Prepurchase ticket online cost is $6, ticket at the event is $8. Taxi rank and buses drop off via Gate 2 off Weedons Road at ticket booth 2. A representation of more than 2000 businesses, organisations and authorities will be on-site. Elders FarmFest boasts the biggest range of agri-products and services in Queensland – once a year, one-stop agricultural shop. Elders FarmFest offers a variety of local food. See the Site Map, which provides a location map of all food and drink outlets and type of food on offer. Elders FarmFest offers a free shuttle bus service on site during the days of the event and in car parks. Elders FarmFest runs a free parcel pick-up service for visitors. FarmFest features a Lifestyle Shopping Arcade and MarketPlace featuring more than 100 lifestyle and general interest exhibitors. Elders FarmFest has emergency services onsite including First Aid, Fire Service, QLD Police, Security. Elders FarmFest has a Parents’ Room, provided by First Aid. Pick-up your free copy of the Elders FarmFest Official Guide at the entrance gates to the event – the official visitors’ information guide, published by Queensland Country Life. Each year the event features a number of agri-product launches and live demonstrations listed in the Event Program, which appears on the website and is featured in the FarmFest Official Guide inserted in Queensland Country Life 26 May issue. FarmFest major sponsor is Elders who has supported the event since 2021.
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Agbot’s a game changer By Fiona Gowers Automation in agriculture is skyrocketing across the Downs as companies develop world-class technology to transform the industry. Agbot is one such product hitting the market by storm. Through harnessing the power of microsatellites, Agbot monitors near real-time liquid levels for cow troughs, water tanks, irrigation dams and trenches, diesel tanks and fertiliser tanks. “At Gasbot we are laser-focused on liquid and gaseous level monitoring across multiple industry verticals in multiple geographic markets,” said Philip Livingston, managing director of Gasbot, which owns Agbot. “And, because of that laser focus on a single application our offering is quite simple.” Australian designed and manufactured, Agbot is versatile, low-cost technology allowing producers to maximise their on-farm operations in a world of industry labour shortages. Mr Livingston said the product’s architectural build began in September 2021, with pilot units released in March. “Agbot is Gasbot’s product line specifically designed for agricultural on-farm related use,” he said. “At the moment, we are nearing parity with competitive Australian on-farm offerings. “Agbot’s technology roadmap is deep and we aspire to be the vanguard for on-farm asset to cloud connectivity for this emerging sector.” Designed and manufactured in Queensland, Agbot is a versatile, low-cost technology allowing producers to maximise their on-farm operations in a world of industry labour shortages.
Mr Livingston said the cutting-edge technology was unlocking the power of remote monitoring at a price point never seen before. The Agbot harnesses Gasbot’s commodity GPS-enabled ‘Nebula’ communications module, supplied for Agbot specifically with an applications engineering cable management base and cockatoo protection ‘snap on’ cover, as well as specialised sensors. “Customers own their own data and have multiple analytics package integration choices in-cloud for greater levels of analytics to meet their on-farm requirements,” Mr Livingston said. Mr Livingston said all design aspects of Agbot have had a farmer - or an integrator who works with a farmer - across each in multiple stages of the process. “We have had multiple iterations and now it feels we have an architecture that is widely adaptable.” The product is being officially launched in early May 2022, with a 30-day free trial period for interested customers via the Agbot website www.agbot.tech. “We’re pricking the ears of those who need to monitor remote assets at scale,” Mr Livingston said. Bruce McConnel, TSBE Food Leaders Australia (FLA) general manager said Agbot was a prime example of some of the innovative solutions coming from our region. “Particularly in the feedlot and beef sectors it’s going to lower labour requirements and give us more certainty that cattle have the right amount of food and water when they need it. “The Agbot product line is already receiving strong industry demand within Queensland with pilot requests and strong early access pre-sales.”
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Frequently asked questions CAN I BRING MY DOG TO FARMFEST? With the exception of guide dogs for the vision impaired, registered service dogs for medical or disability requirements, no dogs are permitted on-site. WHERE IS HEADQUARTERS (HQ) LOCATED? Headquarters is on the southern end of the field located on site B/19. WHERE ARE THE TOILETS? Toilets are located on rows in B/05, D/32, G/21, J/10, N/36 U/28 and Livestock Area. Disabled toilets available end of B row and J/11. WHAT TIME DO THE GATES OPEN? Gates for public access will open at 8:30am each morning. WHAT TIME DOES THE CAR PARK OPEN? The car park will be open for public entry from 7:30am each morning. CAN I PURCHASE TICKETS EARLY? To save congestion at the tickets booths, you can pre-purchase tickets online from the end of May, or make your purchase at the ticket booths when you arrive on-site. The ticket booths are open from 7:30am, entry gates open at 8:30am. HOW CAN I WORK FOR AN EXHIBITOR if you would like to seek casual employment with one of our exhibitors, please email us and ask to be added to the employment list, which is shared with exhibitors seeking help in the lead-up to the event and during dismantling. farmfest@austcommunitymedia.com.au HOW DO I APPLY TO WORK AT FARMFEST? If you are interested in working at Elders FarmFest, you will need to email your interest to farmfest@austcommunitymedia.com.au CAN I GET HELP TAKING ITEMS TO MY CAR DURING THE EVENT? Elders FarmFest offers a free Parcel Pickup service during the event. Please note, not all exhibitors have registered with parcel pickup. It is only for items between 10 and 80kgs. Please check with the exhibitor if they have registered. If they registered they will provide you with a parcel pick-up ticket once you have finalised your purchase. Your item/s will then be picked up by our drivers and taken to the official parcel pick-up depot located at Gate 3. When you’re ready to leave the event, simply return to your car, then make your way to Gate 3 on the western end of the field, follow the parcel-up signs into the depo to collect your item/s. CAN WE CAMP AT FARMFEST? No, unfortunately, no one is allowed to camp on the FarmFest property. CAN WE BRING ALCOHOL TO THE SITE? No, you cannot bring alcohol onto the FarmFest site. There are three public bars that operate at FarmFest daily from 10am to 4pm. The bars are located at B/08, M/36, and Livestock Area. Please Note: No alcohol is allowed to be consumed outside of the bar areas. No alcohol is to be served or consumed by
Well known in the Australian agricultural industry for its dedication to Queensland farming, FarmFest has been a major force in field days for the past 47 years. persons under 18 years of age and no alcohol will be supplied to an intoxicated person. WHERE IS THE ATM LOCATED? ATMs are located outside Headquarters on B/19 and outside the Pavilion on MP/09 and operate from 8:30am daily. WHERE IS THE DISABLED CAR PARK? Disabled car parking is available in the southern, western and northern car parks. Look out for the disabled parking signs. WHERE CAN I FIND AN OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK? Official Guide Books are located at all ticket booths and at headquarters B/19. WHERE IS THE TAXI RANK? The Taxi rank is located at the southeast end of the field, at Ticket Booth, Gate 2. ARE THERE GLUTEN-FREE FOOD OPTIONS AT FARMFEST? Yes, there are a number of Gluten-Free options with many of our food vendors. WHAT ENTERTAINMENT IS THERE AT FARMFEST? From livestock competitions, petting zoo, working dog demonstrations, machinery demonstrations to informative learning ses-
We can’t wait to see you at
FARMFEST 7th - 9th June 2022
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sions. You will find something at FarmFest to keep you entertained. WHERE IS THE BABY CHANGE ROOM? The Baby Change Room is located next to Headquarters in the First Aid Building located at B/20 CAN I HIRE A MOBILITY SCOOTER? To hire a scooter at Elders FarmFest, it is preferred to book online prior to attending the event. If you would like to hire on the day, walk up to our stand located at T/37 and have payment ready (card or cash) and your identification (a driver’s licence will be held as a deposit until the scooter is returned). All information regarding Scooter hire at FarmFest 2022 can be found on our website www.scooters.show Scooters: Small (100kg limit) - $90 Medium (159kg limit) - $110 Large (182kg limit) - $110 Double seat (227kg limit) - $170 Double seat with roof (200kg limit) - $190 DO YOU HAVE A SHUTTLE BUS TO OFFER A LIFT AROUND THE SITE? Shuttle Bus service picks up at Headquarters
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and Livestock Area roaming the static display area to enable you to see more of the site. It also operates throughout the car parks to pick you up and take you to the closest ticket booth. DOES FARMFEST BROADCAST THE PUBLIC ADDRESS (PA) SYSTEM? Yes, FarmFest in fact has its own radio station – FarmFest FM 94.5. FarmFest FM commences during the event WHERE CAN I FIND RURAL RELIEF/ SUPPORT AT FARMFEST? In 2020 the organisers introduced the new Rural Relief Precinct inviting several rural and regional support organisations to provide some lifesaving preventative health and safety information, on-site help to apply for drought relief assistance for farmers and families. DOES FARMFEST HAVE AN APP? FarmFest has its own App – go to Apple App Store or Google Play to download it for free. Please note: The 2022 exhibitor list, Product search, and Site Map will be updated two weeks before the event. (Current version if downloaded will reflect 2019 data until the update is released in May 2022).
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Building better fences To help drive posts into the ground QuikFence has three premium quality post driver brands for farmers and fencing contractors to select from. “Each machine has different features, and depending how big the project is, soil conditions and materials being used, will make a huge difference to what post puncher is required. A popular choice for farmers is the PostPuncher, manufactured locally using Australian steel, by Warwick Gates, exclusively for QuikFence. There are four models available, starting with the PP1, ideal for knocking in steel pickets and small posts, through to the PP3 for large posts that requires a driving weight of 200kg. Farmers and fencing contractors that are planning larger fencing projects for exclusion fencing, or replacing kilometres of damaged fences from floods and fire should really consider either the FencePro from New Zealand, or the Bryce Suma from Scotland. “Both are very useful machines, plus come with a heap of addons and options to maximise productivity.” Jon said. The FencePro is easy to learn and operate, very agile, plus quite a sturdy machine. “The cool thing about FencePro, they are designed to start off with what you need, what your budget can comfortably afford, and add to as you go along” said Jon. QuikFence are the sole distributors for PostPuncher, FencePro and Bryce Suma, this unique position enables operators to select the best post driver to suit their needs and budget without bias. To see the FastFencer and post drivers visit Jon at FarmFest, site K-L/09 to get better prepared for your next fencing project.
By Richard Watts QuikFence have been supplying fencing machinery and supplies since 1998, with the purpose of helping farmers to build a better fence, without breaking their backs. Help make it a quicker process, and safer. To help make sure QuikFence supply quality machinery that is reliable and performs on demand, Jon and the team have spent thousands of hours in production, and out in the field building fences to develop better fencing equipment. During this time Jon realised there’s two key pieces of equipment required, “the farmer needs something to knock those posts into the ground and something that can lift big heavy rolls of netting. Production started in January 2010 locally in Warwick, southern Queensland. Within six months in conjunction with Jamie, a fencing contractor from NSW, Jon modified the design to carry more rolls, go forward and introduced a new clamping system. “Jamie was really helpful, real live testing and modifications allowed us to develop the machine in the field. While the FastFencer 1300 proved to be very popular, it didn’t have the height required for the 1.8m rolls need for exclusion fencing. The FastFencer 2100 was introduced to allow for higher fence netting with aprons to deal with feral pests for exclusion fencing. “The next evolution for the FastFencer was the Side Shift, this really helped fence builders get closer to the fence line without their tractor damaging the new fence” said Jon. By introducing the Side Shift to the 2.4 metre wide machine, operators could carry the larger rolls and get closer to the fence line while their tractor or skid steer was parked.
“Operators loved it!” Jon said. “It gave them more control, and just made it easier to operate the machine”. The FastFencer has evolved to allow the farmer or fencing contractor to pick up three rolls, up to 1800 high, 500 metres in length,
weighing up to 672kg each. The FastFencer is available in six models; the 1300 series more suited for sheep and smaller fences and the 2100 series which is ideal for exclusion fencing or where higher fences are required.
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Ph 07 4661 8900 | www.quikfence.com.au BUY OR HIRE OPTIONS | sales@quikfence.com.au | 449 East Street, Warwick, QLD 4370 All prices include GST, FastFencers and machinery exclude hitches, which will be confirmed when supplying the final quote and transport costs are not included. May 2022 TODAY 21
WELCOME TO
ELDERS FARMFEST From tractors to tools, FarmFest is the number one place in Queensland to view, compare, try and buy the latest and greatest in agricultural products. As a visitor you'll be treated to live demonstrations, experience new and innovative products, taste wonderful produce and so much more. 12545545-HC17-22
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