It was Jason Aldean who expressed his love for a ‘Big Green Tractor’ and it is clear that the local farmers of Narrabri and surrounds are sure get behind this remark.
At the Outlook Ag field day, held in September, there was something for everyone.
Crowds flocked to Drew and Louise Penberthy’s farm on the outskirts of Edgeroi for an array of agricultural machinery and tools on display.
From tractors and headers to nozzles, farmers had the chance to see some new models as well as some classics.
Outlook Ag director and agronomist Mitch Cuell said it was a great day out with around 220 people all up who attended.
“The open day was held at Drew and Louise Penberthy’s farm which was the perfect setting for the farming community to get together,” Mitch said.
“As most would know, Drew and Louise have been hosting trials for over 30 years and with farm manager Zach Ferguson discussing the yields and marketing approaches, there was plenty of information to go around.”
“We went from midday to 6 at night, jampacked with trials, discussions on how crops performed this year and digging a soil pit to see all the rooting depths and how they performed.”
They welcomed caterers from Inverell who cooked up a delicious barbecue which definitely kept the crowd going.
“It was great to see the farming community of predominantly the North West come together and enjoy the social aspects of it, as well as the agronomical discussions and presentations.
“Our biggest passion for these kinds of days is showing the latest innovations, upcoming tech and strategies that growers might be considering for their farms.
“What we noticed this year was that most growers were more interested in intel into the market and especially the presentations conducted by Priag Marketing, who we agronomically work with.
“If people see it at a commercial scale, then you get adoption.
“For our area specifically the North West and Narrabri, it’s a good year; we’re seeing yields above average, and we know that a good-yielding crop is out there on people’s minds.
“However, going into harvest the only downfall we are seeing is the commodity market which is pretty average.
“Well, everything is so expensive these days and prices keep on rising, it can be intimidating for any farmer.
“But I think giving farmers that intel into the market and updates on different varieties value, it gives them the confidence to know that there are people out there to help them.”
The day involved wheat nutrition trials which showed some good differences, as well as sorghum versus cotton trials, presenting some variety data.
“The highlight of the day is the same as every year which is the networking with industry groups and local farmers around the area,” Mitch said.
“The team and I here at Outlook Ag would like to thank all who attended the day out and to our sponsors for making it the best it could be.”
