News

All the fun of the expo

author avatar
Beloka Kelpies owner Paul Macphail entertained the crowds with his working dogs display at the Seymour Alternative Farming Expo on the weekend. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
John Sanderson Machinery from Nagambie attended the expo. It's a family-owned business that specialises in and services a wide range of agricultural industries, from small hobby farms to broadacre cropping. Photo by Djembe Archibald
One of Farmer Darryl’s many goats, just saying ‘hay’. Farmer Darryl said the morning was fairly busy with children coming in and out to enjoy the event. The Seymour expo regular had plenty of goats, birds, rabbits and even a couple reindeer on the day. Photo by Djembe Archibald
Gunyado Stud from Kerang East had its Brahman cattle on display, including this heifer pictured with Harrison Gurnett, 14. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Ryker Cameron, 14, with Pedro from Lilie a'Ghlinne Highlands. “Because they [Highland cows] have that thick coat, they don’t have the layer of fat most other cows have, so it’s marbled throughout the meat which makes it a really tender cut,” Ryker said. “The day’s been pretty good; we’ve been brushing and feeding the cattle.” Photo by Djembe Archibald
Small Mouth Vodka from the Hunter Valley were showing their glittery vodkas throughout the event. “It’s a small family business made by a husband and wife, he makes everything from scratch and she tastes so it’s a happy marriage," manager Karen Rodrick said. Photo by Djembe Archibald
David Sparks and Tegan Haberecht were representing Melbourne Polytechnic. “We do a huge range of agricultural and horticultural courses from Certificate II all the way to your diplomas and degrees,” Mr Sparks said. Their top priority for the day was to tell the masses about their beekeeping courses. Photo by Djembe Archibald
A whipcracking demo by Kiera Buzza from Gisborne. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Christof and Barbara Richartz with their Ginfusions. “My husband and I own Original Sprits Co on the Mornington Peninsula,” Ms Richartz said. “Our point of difference is that we have a lot of flavoured gins and we use real fruit to make them, all 100 per cent natural.” Photo by Djembe Archibald
Margot Sullivan, 2, was up close and personal with the Mohair goats. Photo by Djembe Archibald
Angora goats were all the rage, and AgriFutures attended to encourage more people to use goat fibres. “NextGen Agri, we are here on behalf of the AgriFutures Australia goat fibre project,” Georgia Buchholz said. “We’ve had plenty of interest, a lot of families, a lot of people with a few acres and could have a few goats." Photo by Djembe Archibald
Rebecca Waddell from Epridell near Ballarat was there to answer any questions about their Valais blacknose sheep. “It’s a Swiss breed, been in Australia for three to five years,” she said. “They’re known as the cutest breed in the world.” The attention the sheep were getting by passers-by spoke to that comment being true. “The expo is the best event we do each year, it’s brilliant. The set up and the people are great.” Photo by Djembe Archibald
Reece Chessells from Undera enjoyed the expo. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Andrew and Kate Smith, along with their daughters Charlotte, 6, and Sierra, 9, made the trek from Kyabram to enjoy the Seymour expo and make the most of the warm, sunny day. Photo by Djembe Archibald
Chooktred’s Wendy Graham tended the stall at the event this year. “It’s our no mess, no pest chicken feeder, made in Australia by my husband,” Ms Graham said. Although it was originally made with the backyard farmer in mind, it has spread with some customers having one in every paddock. “There’s been a lot of conversations had so far, so it’s going well.’ Photo by Djembe Archibald
Jo Chibnall from Cairns and Maggie Reeve from Redesdale with the Eden Rise Alpacas. The pair have attended the event for many years. “I always like to buy hats and belts when I’m here,” Ms Reeves said. “I just come and enjoy everything, I’m so fascinated,” Ms Chibnall said. Over the years they have developed their own traditions. “We make our own affogato. We buy a shot of espresso and a salted caramel ice-cream and make the most stunning affogato,” Mrs Reeves said. “We call it deconstructed affogato,” Ms Chibnall said. Photo by Djembe Archibald
Heath Hurley, 16, from Werribee. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Max Smith from Rural Group, which services Cobram, Shepparton and Echuca, was ready to talk all things New Holland. “It’s been good, had a couple old and new customers come through and have a look,” he said. They also have a smaller stock of lawn mowers and Polaris side-by-sides. Photo by Djembe Archibald
Charlotte Stone, 13, from Stonewood Farm with the miniature Highland cows they had at the expo. “Some of them are cross Galloway, and one has some Hereford as well,” Charlotte said. “It’s really cool being here because everyone is asking different questions, it’s very diverse.” Stonewood Farms also brought some Valais blacknose sheep who were part of their embryo transfer program. Photo by Djembe Archibald
Beloka Kelpies were back, showing off two of their dogs, including Farmer at the back, who easily worked the sheep. “He’s got a bit of a mind of his own,” owner Paul Macphail said. They also gave some younger dogs a try, with a pup as young as 12 months working the sheep. After the working dog demos, audience members could play, cuddle and pet some very young puppies they brought to the event.
Michelle Sutcliffe from Gunyado Stud at Kerang East with a 2023 drop ram in six-months wool. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
News
Demos a hit at Seymour expo