The 2021 AgQuip field days have been cancelled as a result of border challenges and in order to protect the safety of rural communities.
The annual event traditionally takes place in mid-August but as a result of NSW's escalating COVID-19 case numbers, had been rescheduled for November.
ACM Rural Events group manager Kate Nugent said while the cancellation was disappointing, the health and safety of rural communities remained their highest priority.
"It is with a great sense of loss, disruption and disappointment to cancel for the second year (in 2021 and 2022), particularly when the Australian agricultural industry is experiencing a boom year and a beacon for our Australian economy," Ms Nugent said.
"It is the most responsible decision to cancel as early as we could to give everyone certainty and minimise the impacts where possible.
"The health and safety of our primary industry, rural and regional communities is our highest priority, which is why we're encouraging everyone to get vaccinated so we can get back to enjoying COVID-safe events again."
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Out of the adversity of mass cancellations, Ms Nugent said the ACM Rural Events team had decided to launch a new event prior to AgQuip 2022.
Ms Nugent said AgQuip had always been committed to highlighting new technology and fostering innovation and the new event, AgSmart Australia, would be in line with this.
AgSmart Australia will take place at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre on March 9 and 10. It will be the first national commercial agtech and innovation exposition.
Ms Nugent said ACM Rural Events wanted to be part of the burgeoning growth of Australia's agtech industry.
"We needed to remain energised and stay focused on the future," Ms Nugent said.
"So we used our ingenuity to come up with something new and an exciting way to stage an agri event that had focus and purpose.
"We're bringing together a number of agtech and innovative start-up companies that will be coming into regional Australia to demonstrate, showcase and really power the minds of our Australian farmers."
The AgQuip field days are set to return in 2022 from August 16 to 18 at Gunnedah, NSW.
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