Seymour expo a hit

“Across the three days we had really good crowds, particularly on the Sunday with the great weather,” Mr Gilbert said.

He said there had been a record number of exhibitors — more than 400 — with excellent feedback on the event from visitors as well as from site holders.

Many business owners said they had had record inquiries about their products and services.

This year’s Seymour Alternative Farming Expo was another success, with large crowds visiting a range of displays presented by businesses and enthusiasts alike.

Commercial displays ranged from tractor and pump demonstrations to small-sized gardening and hobby enterprises.

Among the animal exhibitors was Julia Webster from the Poll Highland Cattle Society with two bull calves reared from the 55 head on her 34-hectare property east of Ballarat.

Highland cows, known in Scotland as ‘Hielan coos’, have always been popular with visitors, but Ms Webster said Poll Highlands, bred without the traditional long horns, had the advantage of being easier to handle in yards.

Poll Highlands were first bred from crossing Belted Galloways over typical Highlands in 2005.

“It takes four generations of breeding to classify them as polled,” Ms Webster said.

Visitors to the expo were unanimous in their praise of it having such a relaxed and local feel.

Arisah Anella travelled from Sydney to enjoy the company of friends and said the event had more of a community feel compared to royal shows in capital cities.

“We’ve come to see the animals and stalls and to support the local community,” Ms Anella said.

“It’s just so relaxed.”

Luke Weekley and Phil Lyons, from Mornington, displayed two cutting-edge drones that are becoming popular with farmers.

“We map thermal or multispectral imaging to identify soil moisture, which is useful for Australia which is about to go into El Niño,” Mr Weekley said.

“You don’t need a licence to fly one of these on your property.

“Using this technology will tell you straight away how good your land care management is going.”

Also on display was a whipcracking demonstration where visitors were free to try their skills.

Nine year-old Ivy Haines said whipcracking was one of her favourite skills as she demonstrated her finesse with two whips.

“I like the sound that the whips make and the movement it takes to make them crack,” Ivy said.

“I also like to learn new tricks.”

Mr Gilbert said planning for next year’s expo, which will run from April 12 to 14, has already begun.