Agfest success

Team members Chloe and Jake ready to dig deep with their very green spades.

Agfest returned in 2022 with a vengeance.

Nearly 50,000 people ignored the forecasts to attend the four-day event, injecting millions dollars into the regional and state economy.

Tasmania’s premier agricultural event was scheduled for August from its usual May timeslot to take advantage of the loosening of COVID restrictions that would allow for a larger crowd to attend this year over the capped crowd limits of 2021.

Recent rain left the Quercus park paddocks in a sticky condition, which deteriorated with the large crowds in attendance.

Gaunt’s Farm won the award for Best Quercus Taste Exhibit.

There were reports of bogged vehicles, parking difficulties and traffic delays, but the Rural Youth organisers were prompt to address concerns with more volunteers, additional gravel spread on roadways and woodchip around venues.

Attendees were well advised to take some tips from the No Limits 4X4 demonstrations.

Meander Valley businesses and farmers were well represented on the grounds and in the ring.

Truffles of Tasmania, outside of Deloraine at Needles, made their first outing at Agfest this year.

Family owned Ashgrove Dairy showcased new products, along with their popular showbags packed with cheese and bikkies.

Gaunt’s Farm, a generational operation helmed by the Miles family, showcased the latest venture for their expanding business. This year they provided paddock to plate lamb and beef burgers direct from the farm.

Their stall was rarely quiet, with early line-ups for the popular brekky burger.

There was a strong presence of solar vendors and electrical vehicles.

There were many new electric tools on show, and lawn mowers to take for a spin.

Farmers for Climate Action were also well occupied,  explaining the ways in which climate change was affecting local industries and talking up the electric tractor, but sadly didn’t have one to test drive.

Saturday was busy with with an estimated crowd of 20,000 people in attendance.

The afternoon saw a sea of green spades around the park courtesy of Orion Tanks’ Dig Deep fundraising efforts in support of Ukraine.