Fifty years of FarmFest

Paul Anderson helps make the troughs and machinery parts at Grahams Precast, Amber Graham works for her father as a first-year welder apprentice and Peter Graham owns Graham's Precast.

The 50th anniversary of Elders FarmFest from 3 – 5 June in Toowoomba drew record attendance — some 40,000 visitors and more than 750 exhibitors — solidifying its status as Queensland’s premier agricultural showcase.

A major highlight was the surge in ag‑tech displays.

Thousands flocked to see cutting‑edge farming innovations. As one attendee told Queensland Farmer Today:

“FarmFest is great for learning more about the advancements in farming … you can make a day of it, get a lot of information and make some informed decisions.“

Safety technology also featured prominently.

AirAgri, a company specialising in farm safety and management platforms, launched its emergency alert location system at FarmFest.

The system is designed to help farmers in isolated areas by providing an exact location for rescue teams in case of emergencies.

It integrates with existing personal location devices and can send out alerts when a farmer is unable to do so themselves.

Major exhibitors such as Elders showcased services through workshops ranging from carbon‑farming and natural capital to succession planning and renewable energy.

Meanwhile, Only Ag provided live machinery demonstrations — from John Deere tractors to attachments — backed by flexible financing.

Most attendees agreed FarmFest is no longer just about sales; it’s an education‑driven event where farmers plan future seasons, explore tech and network.

With its rich balance of tradition and innovation — spanning livestock, machinery, agronomy and safety — it continues to exceed expectations.

As one exhibitor said, FarmFest remains the “one‑stop farmer’s shop” for practical, future‑focused insights.