Shining region on show
This year’s Wimmera Machinery Field Days is likely to reflect a buoyant atmosphere in Wimmera and southern Mallee agriculture.
A sense of renewed confidence surrounds much of the broadacre cropping region, which bucked the national trend last harvest and experienced one of the best overall harvests in years.
Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke provided insight in January what a combination of December rain, a ‘relatively gentle’ 2019 spring and farmer adaptability and planning had meant for cropping results.
All came together for a favourable mid and south-western Victorian harvest representing an ‘island’ on an Australian dryland farming map devastated by drought.
Mr Jochinke, in assessing circumstances after Christmas, said western Victoria was this year the primary provider of grain and fodder requirements for the east coast of Australia.
In one of his comments, Mr Jochinke said results amid a lack of extensive rain reflected how modern farming practices in the region were at the cutting edge in understanding and responding to a variable and ever-changing climate.
“It shows off techniques the modern farmer is using to make the most of every opportunity to use every drop of moisture available,” he said.
“It’s a real credit to how we’ve adopted modern technology and gained an understanding and how we can adapt.”
It is this type of approach that underpins the value of the annual Field Days at Wimmera Events Centre at Longerenong.
The latest in farming technology and knowhow is on display everywhere at the event, from the newest releases in machinery to the opportunities surrounding the digital age and planning.
Some of the engineering behind the tools now available for farmers to make the most of broadacre-farming opportunities is mind-boggling.
But equipment is only a part of a broad operation jigsaw, especially in a region where there can be little margin for error.
Understanding the land, its potential, how to keep it healthy and sustainable as well as profitable are critical elements and why the region’s farmers are considered among the best in the world.
With so much discussion, debate and coverage of how drought across the country has crippled industry, business and regions, Wimmera Machinery Field Days is helping fly the flag for Australian agriculture.
And as Mr Jochinke, himself a Wimmera farmer said: “We are an ag-based sector and when farmers have a good year our communities have a good year as well.”