THE Australian National Field Days is set to bring three packed days of machinery, livestock, history, fashions and some unexpected entertainment to Borenore this October.
If you think the field days are just a place to look at very large tractors you may be in for a surprise.
For those who like that though, there will, of course, be very large tractors.
But there will also be Highland cattle, heavy horses, working dogs, police horses, reptiles, fashion parades, live music, Cobb & Co coaches and much more.
The Australian National Field Days will return to Borenore from Thursday 22 October to Saturday 24 October, continuing a tradition that began in 1952 and has grown into one of the Central West’s great annual gatherings.
With about 400 exhibitors expected across the site, agriculture remains firmly at the heart of the event, with machinery, livestock, technology, and practical demonstrations all on the agenda.
Visitors can get up close to Highland cattle and learn about everything from their colours and heights to grooming, care and the rather important business of getting one of the shaggy beasts to walk politely on a halter.
There will also be heavy draught horse demonstrations, offering a glimpse of the horsepower that once did the work now handled by machines capable of making the average family car look positively tiny.
For Australian National Field Days manager Jayne West, that mixture of old and new is exactly what makes the event so successful.
“We are proud to be able to offer visitors both the traditional side of agriculture and a glimpse into its future,” she said.
“You can see the latest machinery and technology, but you can also watch heavy horses at work, meet livestock and learn about the skills and traditions that have helped build our rural communities.”
The livestock program will also feature the 2026–2028 Schute Bell Merino Wether Comparison Trial, giving visitors the chance to see sheep being assessed as part of an important industry test run.
Mick Hudson, who might be familiar to ABC audiences through Muster Dogs, will conduct puppy demonstrations each day, sharing his experience of working with young dogs.
The New South Wales Police Mounted Unit will also be putting its highly trained horses through their paces, demonstrating the discipline, training and skill required of animals working alongside police.
For anyone whose idea of a good time involves something with scales rather than wool, live reptiles will be making an appearance, with snakes, crocodiles and lizards featuring in educational presentations.
“We really want people to come to the Field Days and discover something they weren’t expecting,” Ms West said.
“This year there is so much happening across the site, from working dogs and police horses to Highland cattle, reptiles, history, fashion and some very surprising entertainment.”
Agriculture may be the backbone of the event, but it certainly isn’t the whole body.
The Lifestyle Pavilion will bring together fashion, homewares, gardening and country-lifestyle products, while a daily fashion parade will showcase clothing from local exhibitors.
There will also be food, live music and plenty of places to stop, eat, browse and catch up with friends.
“It’s evolving into a true event for the whole community,” Ms West said. “You don’t have to be a farmer to enjoy it.”