AgQuip field days "Australia's biggest"

The AgQuip field days, considered to be Australia's largest annual agricultural event, will make a return to its site in Gunnedah (NSW) from August 16 to 18, 2016.

Innovation and technology are the buzzwords for this year's event, with organisers expecting a wide range of new products and technologies to be launched at the show.

Event organiser Fairfax Rural Events Group Manager Kate Nugent says the field days, now in its 44th year, will feature a number of improvements to make the experience better for visitors.

"The simple grid pattern of the purpose-built AgQuip site makes it one of the best in Australia for visitors and includes special areas for demonstrations which, this year, with additional activity planned, will be bigger than ever," she says.

Other improvements include traffic management updates to enhance car parking arrangements at the event, the introduction of courtesy shuttle buses in car parks to ferry visitors from car to entrance, shuttle buses on site to help visitors navigate the 121ha site, more seating, more shade and "the best steak sandwiches".

Nugent says timely rain has served as the perfect "curtain-raiser" for the field days.

"We don't want to underplay the difficulties many farmers face on a day to day basis but, like everyone else, we're delighted when good rains come at the right time for winter crops," she says.

"Even when things are really tough, Commonwealth Bank AgQuip has been there as a place farmers can come to get the very best and most cost-efficient machinery, equipment and advice, so they themselves can be more efficient."

"Australian farmers are renowned as being among the most productive and cost efficient in the world. We're proud to think we may have played some small but significant part in helping to build that reputation over the past third of a century," Nugent says.

Due to the field days' reputation, many manufacturers use AgQuip as a launch pad for their products.

In addition to tractors, hay balers and sprayers, visitors can also expect to see drones, computer systems, farm security, global positioning systems (GPS), internet services, monitoring equipment, precision farming, precision planting equipment and solar technology at the 2016 AgQuip.

Some exciting new products and events visitors can look forward to at this year's show include:

A designated pavilion on the AgQuip site will house a significant number of international exhibitors this year from around the world including China, the Netherlands, New Zealand, USA and more. The companies will showcase new equipment as well as share farming practices they have successfully adopted in their respective countries.

While agricultural machinery is a major focus of the field days, visitors can also find a wide range of lifestyle products, clothing and quality produce on sale at the show over the three days.

Event: 2016 Commonwealth Bank AgQuip field days

Location: 134 Blackjack Road, Gunnedah NSW 2380

Focus: Farm machinery, technology, agricultural and rural services

Entry fee: Free

Opening hours:

Tuesday and Wednesday – 9am to 5pm

Thursday – 9am to 4pm

AgQuip 2016 coverage:

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Revolutionary ATV helmet debuts in Oz

Hatz engines light yet powerful

Landini back on Aussie soil

Largest Faresin mixer wagon debuts at AgQuip

"Smallest self-propelled sprayer" makes Oz debut

Bigger WEEDit cuts more costs

Merlo rolls out revamped telehandlers