Agricultural advances will feature at the 25th Tocal Field Days, where visitors can see a range of old and new agricultural displays in action including Jersey cows being hand then machine milked, and ploughing by Clydesdales then a tractor fitted with GPS technology.

Field days manager Marie Williams said with the impact from the last year’s severe storms continuing to challenge producers in the Hunter, information and coping strategies would play a significant part in the event, which kicks off tomorrow.

"Visitors to this year’s field days will be able to find out how to manage pastures after flooding and fires, the latest information on the National Livestock Identification Scheme, and how to prepare for future emergencies" she said.

"Have farm water and soil samples tested at the Department of Primary Industries (DPI)’s marquee and learn how to manage exotic diseases such as Equine Influenza and anthrax on your farm."

Cattle and horse breeds plus donkeys will feature in the twice daily Grand Parade at the Skills Centre, with students demonstrating their Horse Course skills, and information on breed attributes, horse care tips and muscular and skeletal therapy. Alpacas, goats and sheep also feature.

Guest chef culinary skills in the hall will promote regional food and wines. Cottage and modern crafts will be demonstrated in line with the "Agriculture then and now" theme, along with retro and contemporary clothing in the fashion show held in the chapel courtyard.

Marie said the field days, which are held at DPI’s Tocal Agricultural Centre at Tocal, also offer visitors the chance to pick up plenty of farm and garden bargains from over 400 companies offering equipment, machinery, plants, clothing and agricultural services.

Children can enjoy fun science activities and carnival rides, feed the dairy calf, make a mini-worm farm, or take a pony or camel ride. The Animal Nursery at ‘The Livestock Wedge’ will have ducklings, chickens and butterflies hatching, and the Heritage Piglet races are not to be missed.

"Puppet theatre, chemical sniffer dogs, bush poetry, minerals under microscopes, sea creatures and gigantic phasmids, log splitters, chainsaw wood sculpting, feed milling and a myriad of demonstrations are offered over three days," Marie said.

"Jazz and marching bands, acoustic guitarists, colonial and country music exponents will form just part of the entertainment program, and the historic Tocal Homestead will be open for tearooms, blacksmithing, sheep shearing, horse ploughing and Clydesdale cart rides.

Visit our sponsors, who together with DPI and the local community help coordinate the event, and will have free giveaways and advice including Hunter Water, Hunter Central Rivers CMA, Country Energy, Telstra Country Wide, and Dairy Farmers. "

For more information contact Marie Williams 0423 502 307 or see www.tocal.com

Media contact: Trudy Glasgow 02 8289 3928 or 0427 217 354