Confidence boosts sales

While the optimism is still cautious, a positive outlook, driven mostly by the expectation of improved commodity prices but also in some parts by rain, sparked what farm equipment suppliers described as "high quality" inquiry.

Sales in some sectors, such as stock handling, fencing and farm security, exceeded exhibitor forecasts and many companies reported good leads for ongoing trade.

Held just west of Toowoomba from June 3 to 5, more than 2000 companies were represented at the giant primary industry event, with many using it to launch new products, offer one-off deals and packages and build client lists.

The event's organisers, Rural Press Events (RPE), said increased inquiry in exhibitor sites this year possibly came on the back of rain in parts of Queensland and growing farmer confidence in the security and value of markets.

CRT FarmFest is staged on a purpose-built site at Kingsthorpe, in the heart of the Darling Downs, one of Australia's richest agricultural regions.

This year, it covered everything from big tractor dealers, tillage and irrigation gear to pumps, power tools, sheds and livestock.

RPE general manager Barry Harley said day one saw a smaller crowd than normal "but it was 99 per cent work boots and reports from exhibitors were that on the serious side of business, the activity was strong."

On the following days both the volume and quality was exceptional and it added up to a "ripper CRT FarmFest", he said.

Rabobank's Queensland and Northern Territory State manager Brad James said there were some signs of increased producer confidence where rain had fallen in Qld and northern NSW but for most, liquidity was strained and that was often exacerbated by too much debt.

"In certain sectors, sentiment is lifting - for example we are seeing beef properties in central parts of the country making prices almost at recovery levels on the back of increasing confidence amongst pastoralists," he said.

"For all agribusiness to move forward there needs to be re-investment in technology but that can be a difficult decision to make without the backing of good seasons.

"There is some reinvestment in on-farm infrastructure and plant machinery in some sectors, but it is still very cautious."

Norco Rural in Toowoomba manager Andrew Geary said rainfall in his region had still been well below average.

"In late March the region received between 140 millimetres and 230mm, which kicked the cattle market on a bit and provided enough optimism for grain guys to look at planting a winter crop, but by and large there hasn't been the necessary follow up - although 25mm on the first day of FarmFest was a boost," he said.

Norco's farmgate price rise announcement on the eve of FarmFest had pumped some optimism into the dairy game but most milk producers in southern Qld would still be trying to get funds behind them after some very hard years, he said.

Paul Pritchard, Ag Solutions, said producers were doing their sums on how to get the best return on cattle this winter.

"We have spent a lot of FarmFest customising strategies for each situation - if they have dry feed in paddocks, the addition of minerals and supplements, or if they are feeding grain rations, what they can invest in to the best effect," he said.

Farm security proved to be a big issue, perhaps also on the back of a tight economic climate.

Outdoor Cameras at Toowoom-ba owner Damian Byrne sold or took orders for several dozen surveillance cameras, with protecting fuel one of the main concerns of farmers.

He described 2014 as a "record FarmFest" for the business.

For leading tank supplier Clark Tanks, business was also strong.

"We've been flat-out since September last year when the dry really set in, with farmers chasing increased stockwater holding capability and that trend has made FarmFest a very busy three days for us," said Clark Tanks general manager Lindsay Welsh.