Auction boost for field days

Amonster auction shaping as a major part of this year’s Wimmera Machinery Field Days will become an annual regional agricultural attraction if successful.

Organisers are predicting everything from ‘a tractor to a toolbox’ will be up for grabs in what represents a first for a major agricultural field days in Australia.

The Ag Machinery and Equipment Auction on March 5, as part of the third day of the field days at Wimmera Events Centre at Longerenong, will be open for exhibitors to ‘offload and promote’ everything from surplus goods to specials.

Field days manager Murray Wilson said excitement was growing, not only among event committee members but also dealers keen to make the most of the promotion.

“There’s no doubt this is going to be a major feature of the field days,” he said.

“The Thursday of the field days has been traditionally the come-and-graba-bargain day and while circumstances have changed, this works in with that theme.

“If it’s as successful as we suspect, we plan to make it an annual part of the showcase. It will certainly add some excitement and colour and a lot of good buys.

“It represents a great way for us to offer all onsite machinery and equipment traders and exhibitors, already with a mindset of moving gear, a chance to get together and to offer something a little different. Everyone loves a good auction.

“Of course an auction might just appeal to people who are simply looking for some good ag equipment and this could provide a chance to pick up a bargain while also enjoying the field days.

“Anyone who registers for the auction on the Tuesday and Wednesday of the field days will get a free Thursday pass, but they can also register on the day. That means they can visit dealers earlier in the week, get an idea what might be up for grabs, come back on Thursday and make a bid.”

Mr Wilson said Elders would be in charge of the auction, which potentially might offer ‘anything from $200 to $200,000’ in goods.

“It’s a first for a big agricultural field days in Australia and our committee has been pleased with the feedback received from dealers and exhibitors,” he said.

“Some companies have already committed to providing goods and from what we are hearing there could be items listed as having unreserved as well as reserved prices.

“That suggests that exhibitors might want to bring items specifically for the auction and won’t be keen to take them home.”

Mr Wilson said the auction would occur mid-morning at a designated auction site.

“I’m predicting there will be some people who come to the field days just for the auction,” he said.

“We might see anything from tool boxes, generators and air compressors to, sprayers or tractors. There might be a second-hand car from a local dealer available and who knows, there might even be a header in the mix.

“The field days has always provided an opportunity for people involved in agriculture to pick up a bargain, and this might just take it to a new level.”

Mr Wilson said in-depth discussions with exhibitors after last year’s field days on ways to generate fresh enthusiasm into the event while maintaining focus as an agribusiness and rural machinery trade event had led to the auction.

ACE Radio, through The Weekly Advertiser and radio stations 3WM and MIXX FM, is a sponsor of the auction.