Confidence rains down at Dowerin

Record exhibitor numbers, decent rain and new initiatives have combined to make this year's Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days one of the most successful on record.

Widespread showers on Tuesday night helped boost farmer confidence the Wheatbelt and record sales were reported from the two-day annual event .

"While it was a bit of a challenging set-up, we were truly blessed with the steady rain which fell all night before clearing up by 8am, when the general public started to arrive," Dowerin Field Days chairman Ashley Jones said.

"So our exhibitors were ecstatic, with many reporting high sales and orders, and some the highest they had ever experienced."

Exhibitor numbers peaked this year, with a total of 598 different companies showing off products and services.

"We have developed a number of new pavilions over the last few years, including the Good Food and Getaway's Pavilion and Milne Marquee, as well as allowing exhibitors to split their sites," Mr Jones said. "This has resulted in higher exhibitor numbers in a more condensed area, with number this year reaching an all time high at just shy of 600.

"A spin-off affect has included more demonstrations, a high standard of quality exhibits and of course added more interest for visitors."

Visitor numbers have been fairly steady over the past few years, and this year's was no exception, with a healthy crowd coming through the gates.

"We were very happy with the numbers, as although the rain is very positive for farmers, we considered the forecast may have put off a few of our metropolitan visitors, but this didn't seem to be the case," he said.

Highlights included an array of demonstration ranging from machinery to allied equipment, gardening, cooking and kids entertainment.

"Our machinery demonstration area was extremely busy this year, with many exhibitors showing a great interest in showing off their equipment, Mr Jones said. "Kondinin conducted UTV testing throughout the two days, which allowed visitors to actually get involved in the demonstrations, and this certainly added great interest to that area."

The displays were of a high quality, making judging of the awards very challenging this year.

Polaris Industries took out the prize for Most Outstanding exhibitor at this year's event, with Wellard Group Holdings and Fence Faster winning the Best New Release awards, Plantation and Landcare Services winning the Best Sustainable Farm Practices Display, ASV Sales and Service winning the JCB Lifter's and Digger Demo award and Elders taking out the Best Rural Service Industry Award.

My Wild Child was the best in the Lifestyle Pavilion, while Shima Glaze (SG Furniture Designs) won the award for the Good Food and Getaways Pavilion and Northam Toyota took out the best exhibit in the carsales.com.au Motoring Arena.