Message from the President

 Welcome to the 2011 Elmore Field Days

Our 48^th annual Elmore Field Days have again been very well supported by exhibitors.

We have achieved another fully allocated display site with a waiting list for any late sites which may become available.

Our range of new exhibitors will assist in providing information on new products and services making a visit to the Field Days of increased value to the rural and regional community and farmers in particular.

There are always new or innovative products and technology to see and to assess their relevance to your business or interests.

Over the past twelve months we have witnessed some encouraging developments for the rural and farm economy.

The end to the drought with beneficial and timely rains has dramatically enhanced the outlook.

Commodity prices have been strong in almost all areas and except for the continuing rise in cost inputs the outlook for most agricultural endeavours is the best that it has been for some time.

And as I write this introduction the proposed new carbon tax seems to have little negative impact on the agricultural sector.

With this as the background scenario, the current year is extremely important for both the Elmore Field Days and my Committee.

We will officially open our new Agribusiness Exhibition Pavilion on Wednesday 5^th October.

With a voluminous building area of 5,800 sqm metres of high clearance space this is both a significant building and a major benefit to both our Exhibitors and visitors alike.

Representing an investment  over  $1 million it will be extremely beneficial to the Field Days and ongoing as a key facility at the Elmore Events Centre  as it will be available and used for a great variety of functions and events in future.

It would be remiss of me not to officially acknowledge the contribution made to this project by the Victorian Government’s Regional Infrastructure Development Fund, our builder Swan Hill Engineering and their contractors, as well as Rhino Tanks who have kindly supplied and installed our major rainwater collection facility.

I am sure our visitors will inspect the new Pavilion and I thank all those exhibitors who have elected to move to this new facility in its first year.

In addition there will be our usual range of features and special events to complement our static exhibits and to warrant a day or more at the Elmore Field Days in 2011.

Our woolshed is always a hive of activity with plenty to interest and inform prime lamb, sheep and wool producers.

The Campaspe Prime Lamb Trial which we commenced in 2009 is providing valuable information and I am sure there will be valuable results presented for our lamb producers

Our General Interest Pavilion covers a great diversity of interests and products and this year with the Field Days dates coinciding with school holidays it will hold plenty of interest for family members.

Our Ag Art Exhibition has also grown into a major event in its own right and our winners are regularly awarded with success through our collaboration with the New Zealand Fieldays and their identical competition.

Our working demonstrations continue to advance with each year seeing an increased number of machinery manufacturers and their dealers working their equipment in our In-Field Demonstration program.

My Committee continues to actively support our working demonstrations believing it is beneficial to all concerned.

Our October dates each year are achieved only through the work that is undertaken by my Committee, our management team, exhibitors and numerous local and state government agencies.

To all who contribute to our growth and success I extend a heartfelt thank you.

I am sure you will find your visit to Elmore Field Days from October 4 to 6 is informative and educational.

David Trewick , President