FLOODED FARMERS PUSH THROUGH HARD TIMES TO GET TO – AND TRIUMPH AT – THE SYDNEY ROYAL...
0Flooded farmers push through hard times to get to – and triumph at – the Sydney Royal Easter Show
Australians have never doubted the resilience of farmers. but those who recently survived devastating floods have gone above and beyond to make it to this year's Sydney Royal Easter Show. Despite the odds. some who were inundated just weeks ago are taking home prizes for the quality of their produce. The Brahman stud that Mitchell Trustum manages at Casino. south west of Lismore. was turned into 'a sea' by the record breaking floods in March. For days the cattle stood in water. even though they were on high ground — and then another flood hit. The loss of labour and cattle were the biggest challenges. Mr Trustum said. but the hay that had been prepared for the show was also swept away in the deluge. But none of that stopped the team from getting to Sydney. nine hours away. where they managed to win some ribbons for their bulls. despite some of them losing about 70 kilograms. Among the accolades the stud received were grand champion cow and calf for Brahman females. junior champion female. senior champion bull and reserve bull for the breed. 'We're happy to get the ribbons.' Mr Trustum said. Space to play or pause. M to mute. left and right arrows to seek. up and down arrows for volume. Top notch produce Despite yields being ruined and the challenge of getting people and produce to the show. the Northern Rivers still managed to put up a high class display. The Northern District Exhibit snagged the win for best quality produce from vegetables to grains. based on uniformity. cleanliness and eating quality. The combined displays coincided with the bicentenary of the Royal Agriculture Society of NSW. There have only been three cancellations in the show's history. causded by the Spanish Flu. World War II and the coronavirus pandemic. District organiser Peter Barrett. from Inverell. now holds the trophy. but he thought it was all she wrote when the successive disasters hit this year. 'When the first floods came through we were really worried about that. and then to have another flood 10 to 12 days later — we didn't think we'd have any hope.' he said. 'It's really thrilling for me to stand out the front here and think we are able to have such wonderful suppliers. 'It encapsulates all the different things we can grow on the land.' He said sugar cane and potatoes had been severely impacted by the floods. 'Besides that. all of our lovely soft produce we were able to bring down here.' he said. Mr Barrett hopes conditions are much easier next year.
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