The largest agricultural field days in the country, started by local radio stations 50 years ago, gets underway in Gunnedah today.
AgQuip, held eight kilometres west of Gunnedah on Black Jack Road, starts Tuesday from 8.30am and finishes on Thursday 21 August 2025. Traffic control and reduced speed limits will be in place on the Oxley and Kamilaroi highways during the three-day event. Local road closures will also be in place and motorists are advised to follow local road detours and the direction of traffic controllers.
Heavier traffic may result in increased travel times and motorists are reminded to plan their journey and follow the direction of traffic controllers.
Due to increased traffic volumes for the event, oversize and/or overmass operators are encouraged to avoid the area during the morning and evening, as attendees make their way to and from the event each day.
AgQuip has always been about connection, bringing producers, industry, and now students together to explore what’s next for agriculture, which is why this year’s partnership with the University of New England (UNE) will see daily speaker panels for secondary school students, highlighting the breadth of careers in agriculture; from on-farm roles to agtech, education, research, and agribusiness.
UNE’s Vice-Chancellor and CEO Professor Chris Moran said with AgQuip’s home at Gunnedah in the heart of New England, the new collaboration between Australian Community Media (ACM) Events and UNE is the perfect fit for the region’s leading media organisation and its number one tertiary institution.
“UNE’s teaching, research and graduates continue to shape the future of agriculture, working closely with industry to ensure the sector has the skills and knowledge it needs to grow,” The Vice Chancellor said.
“These sessions go beyond a careers conversation, they’ll show young people that agriculture is dynamic, future-focused, and full of opportunity here in regional Australia.
The inaugural Tractor Games is another new highlight this year, sponsored by Kia and their new Tasman ute. Tractor Games will see the big three, John Deere, Case IH and New Holland, rev up the audience with a showcase of their tractor capability, technology and raw energy.
Each tractor brand will take part in a daily show, featuring guest drivers competing in various horsepower tractor games – navigating haybale lifting challenges ranging from lawn bowls to ten-pin bowling and goal-kicking.
Local politicians will also be on site, with Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey manning the Nationals stand at J24 all three days. Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie, and Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign CapabilityAndrew Willcox are also expected to visit today.
NSW Farmers Meet a Pollie session will be held at the NSW Farmers AgQuip Shed at G-H 24-25 at 1pm on Wednesday. National Party Leader and Shadow Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud will be attending on Wednesday.
Thursday will see Shadow Minister for Water, Shadow Minister for Fisheries and Forestry and Shadow Minister for Emergency Management, Senator Ross Cadell; Deputy Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Trade, Investment and Tourism Kevin Hogan; and Federal Member for New England Barnaby Joyce.
A number of state politicians will also be in attendance, including State Leader Dugald Saunders, with Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson on the tools cooking the popular NSW Nationals steak sandwich fundraiser.
“AgQuip is the highlight of the NSW agricultural calendar, and a major boost to the Gunnedah community who benefit from the 100,000 visitors who make their way to the region,” Mr Anderson said.
“It’s an opportunity for our farmers to reconnect, to share ideas, and to stay up to date with the cutting edge of farming technology.
“The event goes hand in hand with the sights and smells of a steak sandwich, with breeders battling it out to be the most popular sandwich of the week.
“This year, the National Party are throwing our hats back in the ring, offering our famous steak sandwiches, cooked by Nationals MP’s.”
“It’s all for a good cause, helping raise funds for Gunnedah Family Support, who look after those in need,” he said.
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