By Jess Baker
Queensland’s largest agricultural show has been cancelled for a second year due to Covid-19, leaving many Southern Downs producers “devastated” and out of pocket.
The decision to cancel Brisbane’s 2021 Ekka was announced on Monday 2 August, just days before the event was supposed to commence.
Stanthorpe beef producer Christine Williamson said she and her family show their cattle at Ekka every year.
“This would probably have been our eighth or ninth time that we’ve shown at Ekka, and this is the second time of course that it’s been cancelled,” Christine said.
Christine said the news of this year’s cancellation was “very disappointing” after so many months – and dollars – were invested in preparing for the event.
“We’re not talking hundreds, it would be thousands of dollars to ensure that you have a team of cattle to take to the Ekka,” Christine said.
“Plus you pay for your accommodation and entry fees and all of those things. It’s quite expensive to go.”
She said she and her family – like many others – had spent nearly a year preparing their team of cattle for this year’s Ekka, investing hours and money in feed, breaking cattle and organising travel.
“Last year it was called early,” Christine said.
“This year, because it was such a sudden calling, I would think there would be many people in the same boat who have prepared their cattle for such a long time and spent such a large amount of money … (which is now) sort of lost.”
RNA said it was devastating to have to cancel what was meant to be an historic comeback Ekka, but going ahead was not feasible given the current Delta outbreak in south-east Queensland.
“It is especially tough for the farming community who have been eagerly awaiting this year’s show which is a celebration of all things agriculture,” RNA shared in a statement.
The not-for-profit organisation said it would endeavour to see if some competitions could continue in the coming weeks in a Covid-safe environment and without the general public.
Christine said Ekka was an opportunity not only for producers to showcase their cattle, but also to connect with others.
“It’s a good place to network with other farmers who have been in similar situations and the drought’s only really just ended,” she said.
“(It’s about) people getting out there and connecting with one another and looking at each other’s cattle and just really enjoying each other’s company and having that break as well.”
The loss of the “once-in-a-year opportunity” for beef producers to congregate, and for agriculture to meet city, was felt by people right across the Southern Downs.
Mitch McMahon from Warwick said he had shown steers at Ekka for eight years, and had poured substantial cash into preparing cattle for this year’s show.
“It’s something we look forward to every year,” Mitch said.
He said that while there were plenty of people worse off than he – considering visiting Ekka was “more of a hobby” than essential to business – the cancellation was a setback.
“It was disappointing we couldn’t spend the week down there doing what we love,” Mitch said.
He said he and his family were now looking to 2022 to deliver a stress-less, Covid-free Ekka they might finally have the freedom to enjoy.
