Exhibitors at the recent East Gippsland Field Days reported a large number of enquiries and orders for equipment from farmers.
It comes on the back of Gippsland farmers entering their third good season, after up to 250mm of rain in April and continuing temperate weather.
Steve Vickery, Red River Stockyards, sold all the steel stockyards and cattle crushes he brought from Shepparton and had many forward orders.
“We had a number of farmers place orders,” Mr Vickery said.
“We sold what we brought with us to farmers as far afield as Buchan and Wonthaggi.”
A number of other businesses reported interest and orders taken for cattle yards.
Eddie Gates, Bindi, was getting quotes on steel yards from all the exhibitors.
“The field days is an ideal opportunity to talk to them all and compare what they have to offer and the price, all in one place,” Mr Gates said.
“It saves a lot of time and money and I can see what their equipment looks like.”
It was a similar story for Bairnsdale businesses, BJ Crane and Elders.
“We sold a lot of chainsaws and ride-on mowers to farmers,” said Geoff Crane.
“We’ve had a lot of enquiries from farmers,” Elders Machinery Manager, Gino Dimarco, confirmed.
Cattle breeders also reported a lot of interest.
“We’ve had lots of people asking questions,” said Jan Davidson, Karandrea Galloways and Belted Galloways Stud, Bindginwarri.
The Victorian yard dog trial championship was held at the field days from Friday to Sunday and attracted regular crowds.
The championship was a standoff between NSW and the home state, with Skipton’s Gary Sharrock and Cooma’s Neil Lynch finishing on even numbers twice.
A fifth round of competition saw Mr Sharrock and his kelpie, Alby, draw ahead to win; Mr Lynch and his kelpie, Flash, settled for second place.
Mr Sharrock also took out the open trial, with his kelpie and 2011 Victorian champion, Will.