Abundant rain has delivered a flush of feed and increased sheep numbers grazing across the country of the West Darling region.
RIVERS of green in the endless expanse of western New South Wales energised visitors and exhibitors to return to the 2022 Ag Fair Broken Hill event last weekend.
The Ag Fair Broken Hill biennial event is a joint effort between the rural pastoral community, residents and local businesses in the City of Broken Hill and has operated since 1990 under a management committee drawn from citizens, and members of the Rotary Club of Broken Hill and the Pastoralists Association of the West Darling.
It is a great outing for townspeople and gathering place for far flung rural community and taps the city’s popularity for travellers amid better seasonal fortunes, pride in homes and gardens and shoulder-rubbing with Mad Max film artists.
“Tourism has been unbelievable,” local business proprietor and Ag Fair chairman Kevin Taylor said.
Ag Fair works hard to give a great experience to local townspeople and visitors alike.
“When I took over the chairman role in 1998 we deliberately set out to run it like a business, cater for the people and broaden the exhibition area.
“We have a wide gamut of products, sheep studs, stock agents, jewellery, skin care in the pavilion, motor vehicle dealers and all sorts,” he said.
“We have a sheep counting competition today, and a dorper auction.”
Here’s a gallery of some of the exhibitors and visitors.
Ag Fair Broken Hill committee members, Kevin Taylor, chairman and Ross Clark.
On Saturday, large numbers of locals came to the St Pat’s Racing Club grounds that hosted Ag Fair 2022.
Exhibitors Ulooloo Dohne Merino Stud, principal, Liz Hall, Hallet, SA, Macquarie Dohne Stud principal, John Nadin, Warren, NSW and Magnus Aitken, Steam Plains, Conargo, NSW.
Representing the RABO team in South Australia, from Adelaide, were relationships analysts, Will Dufty and Sally Bennett and senior rural manager Francis English, rural manager Lily Morgan, Kadina, and senior rural manager, Peter Robinson, Adelaide.
Sheep-counting competition winner Matt Arnell, Yanco, NSW, Elders territory sales manager Ian Featherstone, Broken Hill and place-getter, Harry Agar, Wanganella, NSW.
‘The Flying Vet’ principal, Ameliah Scott, White Cliffs undertakes regular clinic flights around the region since completing a veterinary science degree with honours at UQ Gatton.
Pastoralists Natasha Smyth and Sam Smyth, Willandra Stn via Broken Hill with Nutrien Ag Solutions key account manager wool, Trevor James, Adelaide.
Minlacowie Poll Herefords, Brentwood, SA, exhibitors, principal, Tom Honner, and Will Taheny.
Goolagong Santa Gertrudis and Angus stud exhibitors, co-principal, Heath Tiller, and Tom Taheny, both of “Fernbank” Reedy Creek, SA.
West Darling Machinery Preservation Society members, of Langwell Stn, Broken Hill, Chris Harrison and George Harrison. The engine was given to the society, in 1980, by the Gall family of Langawirra Stn via Broken Hill where where the 1913 Ronaldson Bros and Tippett engine powered the Langawirra shearing shed.
Elders district wool manager Emma Twine, Mildura, and rural products coordinator, Greg Densley, Adelaide, with Warrananga Merino Stud principal, Greg Pollard, Wentworth, NSW.
NSW Rural Fire Service, Far West Team, district officer Greg Martin, Cobar, and from Broken Hill Brigade, volunteer members Tracy Aebi and Paul Kaye. The red ’73 Bedford unit, left, worked in the Sutherland Shire and was retired in 1991 to Menindee. Its capable replacement is the current model Isuzu Cat 1 tanker at right.
Arcadian scene at the animal petting zoo.
Passengers in the R44 helicopter, disembarking after a joyride at AgFair were Dean, Emma and Wyatt Lovis-Hotchin, Mulyungarie Stn, via Cockburn, SA.
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