This year's AgQuip and FarmFest field days have been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, organisers have confirmed.
Following consultation with federal and state governments, public health authorities and agencies, ACM Rural Events said the decision was made due to the ongoing uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
AgQuip, usually held in August in Gunnedah (NSW), had initially been postponed to November and FarmFest, usually in June in Kingsthorpe (Queensland), had been postponed to October.
"It is time to make the call to cancel these events for 2020,” ACM rural events group manager Kate Nugent said.
"Considering the size, scale and complexity of such important events to the primary industry and the regional and rural communities, we need surety in order to proceed.
"The new lockdown controls now in Victoria and the potential for further re-imposition of restrictions in NSW have created further uncertainty.
"Our decision is primarily based on our concern for the public health and safety of our exhibitors, attendees and staff.”
Ms Nugent said organisers had hoped conditions would improve and allow them to stage the event safely, but it had not happened.
This year would have marked the 48th year of AgQuip, which was first staged in August, 1973. It has gone on to become one of the largest events of its kind in Australia.
It was due to be the 45th staging of FarmFest — Queensland’s biggest primary industry field day.
CRT FarmFest field days will be next staged from June 8 to 10, 2021.
AgQuip field days will be next staged from August 17 to 19, 2021.