No ANFD in 2020

The committee of the Australian National Field Days (ANFD) has announced the cancellation of this year’s event scheduled for October due to COVID-19.

The event, held annually in Borenore, NSW near Orange, joins a long list of field days in Australia that unfortunately could not proceed this year due to the massive challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic.

ANFD chairman, Sam Connell, said it was a difficult decision for the committee to come to.

“We had hoped to be able to run the event but current Public Health Orders state that mass gatherings can only be a maximum number of 500 people seated and restrictions made organising and planning the event very difficult with the ongoing outbreaks,” he said.

“We are very mindful about bringing interstate stakeholders and people from hotspots into the local community and it has become apparent that the Field Days will not be able to go ahead in 2020.

“Without a clear path to the end of this pandemic and the full easing of social restrictions, the obstacles to running a successful event were challenging.”

ANFD manager, Jayne West said it was hard on the committee knowing the decision would disappoint exhibitors, visitors, volunteers, staff, sponsors and community groups who rely on the annual event.

“The Field Days have never been cancelled for a full three days in their 68 years of operation,” she said.

“We are devastated for the region and the economic loss it brings to our towns and villages. We thank everyone for their support.”

West added the committee, along with the Association of Agricultural Field Days of Australasia will be lobbying the Government for support to help bring a bigger and better event in 2021.

The next ANFD field days will be held from October 21 to 23, 2021.