Field Days continue to support agriculture
Photo: Brett Douglas, Sheep Committee Chairman, Kieran Renshaw Deputy Chairman, Dan Toohey Chairman and Sam Connell Cattle and Ground Committee Chairman.
The Australian National Field Days (ANFD) is the oldest annual agricultural exhibition in the country. Established in 1952, the ANFD continues to offer visitors a unique insight into the future of agriculture with the commitment to Advancing Australian Agriculture.
ANFD Manager, Jayne West, explained more than 600 exhibitors now travel to the Borenore site (15kms west of Orange, NSW) from all over Australia and internationally to display their products and services during the three-day event.
“The event has come a long way from a discussion between two local men after attending a farm machinery demo day in the Hawkesbury in 1951,” Jayne outlined.
“The early days saw the Orange Branch of the Graziers’ Association, a group of machinery agents and primary producers get together to provide comparative demonstrations so that farmers could see machines designed for a specific purpose working side-by-side.
“The very first Orange Field Day was staged at “Kyala Park” owned by Mr W Dutton. It featured displays and demonstrations by 40 exhibitors and attracted an estimated crowd of 5,000. From there it was declared a resounding success and became an annual event held at various properties until the permanent 75-hectare site was purchased at Borenore in 1972.
“Since 1952, the field days have been organised by a voluntary committee of local farmers, graziers, orchardists, machinery agents and government departmental officers who feel very strongly that it must be maintained a specifically agricultural event and the concept of comparative demonstrations must be of paramount importance.
“The prime purpose of the Australian National Field Days continues to be to assist the agricultural industry by providing those involved with the opportunity of gaining first-hand knowledge of the latest trends in agricultural equipment and technology.” ANFD Manager, Jayne West.
“In 1966, the Orange Field Days Co-op Limited was formed and registered as a ‘Community Advancement Society’ to administer the Australian National Field Days.
“It’s hard to believe the humble beginnings of the field day site. Our purpose-built facility now boasts sealed roads, disabled access, well grassed sites,
full sanitary facilities, electricity to most sites, onsite security, full catering and bar
facilities - all in a pleasant bushland setting.
“We now have a team of onsite staff to help exhibitors and visitors to have the best experience possible during their visit to the ANFD.”