Junior paraders line up on day one of FarmFest 2025.

VISITORS from across southern Queensland and beyond turned out in their thousands for the opening day of FarmFest, which this year is celebrating its 50th birthday.

Originally held on government –owned at Wilsonton, on Toowoomba’s western edge the field days has since 2004 operated on its site in the farming district of nearby Kingsthorpe.

Representing the diversity of the Darling Downs, it brings together the latest in equipment in technology, livestock, land management and machinery, and is a must on the calendar for visitors from as far afield as New South Wales and Central Queensland.

Among the firsts for FarmFest this year was an appearance by the much-anticipate Kia Tasman ute, and grain-grading technology developers Cropify.

At more than 750, FarmFest 2025 has broken the record for exhibitor numbers, with one of the main displays being that of major sponsor Elders.

Its exhibit showcases the services Elders is well-known for as an agency and reseller, and also provides a platform for developing start-ups and industry-good functions such as the AgForce Education Roadshow.

“We were invited to be part of the Elders exhibit, and it’s given us a great chance to introduce ourselves to the northern market,” Cropify chief executive officer Anna Falkiner said.

Guyra commercial Hereford producer Michael Dumble talks cattle with M&M Stockyards assistant manager Nathan Ford, Manilla.

Dexter cattle breeder Kathy Baker, Mt Molar, and Nadudana cattle breeder Letisha Johnson, Boonah, exhibiting at FarmFest as part of the Rare Breeds Trust of Australia which also had Shropshire, English Leicester, and Damara sheep on display.

Mort & Co general manager of projects and innovation Michael Matthewson with daughter Claire.

Zac Souter of Geelong shows off the Kia Tasman to Bauple visitors George and Stella Jovanovic.

Rochelle South and Clemens Waetjen, Yarramalong with Brookstead father and son David and Benno Gruhl.

Bendigo Bank’s Louise Freytag, Kathryn Davies, Helen Connick and Sean Doyle with Matt Linton and Ben Trollope of Gold Coast-based company Fly the Farm.