Burnie Shows up with cattle and tractors

The move from Wivenhoe Showgrounds to the Agriplex at Romaine is starting to pay dividends with the Burnie Show and Agri-Expo drawing it’s biggest crowd in many years.

The Agriplex consists of 40ha that is used for livestock agistment, fodder production and a variety of events such as equestrian competitions and the Good Gumnuts Festival as well as the show which is evolving into a mini-Agfest.

Close to 8000 people and 130 vendors attended on Saturday and Burnie Show chief beef steward Caine Evans said that the cattle section, tractor pulling and the machinery sections in particular drew strong entries and plenty of spectators.

“It was definitely the biggest beef cattle turnout we’ve had since moving to the Agriplex in 2021,” Mr Evans said.

“In light of the hit that beef producers have taken from Woolworths recently we weren’t sure what to expect.

“There was a strong contingent of Murray Greys - taking up half the shed - and plenty of Angus, a nice group of Highland cattle plus a good mix of British and European breeds such as Limosin and Charolais.

“Considering this is the first show of the season they were all remarkably quiet too.”

Sheree Lawrence and Thomas Febey of Kanangra Cattle Co. at Sheffield took out Supreme Exhibit for the second consecutive year with 17-month-old red Angus bull Kanangra Welcome to the Show.

The Junior Beef Handler and Young Judges competitions were hotly contested with 40 entrants in each. 

While all the cattle were housed in marquees this year, moves are afoot to invest in a livestock pavilion for the future.

Agricultural and Pastoral society president Paul Smith said that the woodchopping was also stronger than ever this year as was the tractor pulling.

Mr Smith, who is also president of the Tasmanian Tractor Pullers Association, said that it was the biggest competition at Burnie to date, largely bolstered by several loads of tractors from Scottsdale who dominated the competition.

The Mini Modifieds section was won by Wayne Stagg from Scottsdale on his tractor ‘Moving On’ but it was the ladies who had a field day, with Corinn Anthony of Scottsdale taking out the 36-40hp class and on the same tractor in the same class Emily LeFevre of Scottsdale was awarded the Best Performance prize based on her ability to pull through the tough patch and complete a full pull without stopping.

Bridie Smith, also of Scottsdale won the 41-45hp class driving a SAW6.

“We have a dedicated, fenced area for the tractor pulling which will be sown back down this year and graded again for next year’s show,” Mr Smith said.

“The show is really emphasising farming traditions and it was great to see more machinery from  Gaffney Machinery, Midland Tractors and Intrac.”

Tractor pull results:

Modified Super A: Clarke Fordson V8

Modified Open: G. Saltmarsh Saltshaker

Ferguson Class: X Wensley

Crawler: D. Dicker

Mini Modified: W. Stagg “Moving On”

Open: A. Lette MF 2745

86-110 hp: J. Lette IH

71-85hp: P. Cables IH 784

61-70 hp: K. Huett Chamb 60DA

51-60 hp: P. Cables IH A554

46-50 hp big sled: B. Hughes MH 745

41-45 hp big sled: B. Smith IH SAW6

46-50 hp small sled: C. Badcock DB 885

41-45 hp small sled: E. Lefevre MF 135

36-40 hp: C. Anthony IH A414

25-35 hp: G. Gelston Ferg TEA20

Under 25 hp: A. Clarke Farmall A

Best Performance: E. Lefevre IH A414

Encouragement Award: J. Saltmarsh.