Show societies are in a holding pattern as they wait to see what effect the war in the Middle East will have on their ability to host an agricultural show.
The West Moreton show circuit doesn’t kick off until the first one in Marburg towards the end of April, and it’s the price and availability of diesel that will determine if they go ahead.
In recent weeks, diesel prices have surged to historic highs, with some regions reporting costs above $3 a litre, driven largely by global supply disruptions and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
For many in agriculture and regional industries, diesel is not just another expense, it is the lifeblood of their operations.
And nowhere is that more evident than on the showgrounds.
Kalbar Show Society president and cattle auctioneer Neil Goetsch said agricultural show cancellations were already happening.
“I heard that at the Toowoomba Royal [Show] when I was there the other day,” he said.
“There is an impact on the auction side too because people pay freight to have their cattle taken back to their property.
“That then reflects on the price of cattle because people have to budget the cost of extra freight when it comes to buying their cattle.”
Neil said it once cost around $200 in diesel to take a truckload of cows to an agricultural show but that cost had doubled.
“Some of the campdrafts have been cancelled as well because of fuel costs,” he said.
“Their committees use these events to make money to run the following year’s camp draft.
“It’s not just the shows, it’s affected the dog trial circuit as well because a lot of them have been cancelled because of the fuel cost.”
Those able to afford expensive diesel don’t get an easy ride because there’s no guarantee service stations on the route will have fuel available.
Neil said the cost increases were hitting all aspects of agriculture and feedlot owners were paying more for grain to be delivered off an already slim bottom line.
Operators of show rides, food trucks and attractions also rely on diesel-powered generators, with some consuming between 100 and 250 litres of fuel a day just to operate.
The result is a double hit, high transport costs followed by high running costs on-site.
And for regional agricultural show societies, show time is when they make most of their money.
Camping and caravan facilities are a key component in keeping them financially viable.
The president of Queensland Ag Shows, David Wilson, said a few shows had ‘reached out informally’ to say some of their caravan groups cancelled.
“Many show grounds rely on caravan clubs and camping to subsidise their costs and there’s a bit of a nervous wait in regard to Easter [holidays].
“It’s something the showman’s guild is talking about, and they’re concerned in regards to doing northern and western runs to support our shows.”
David said that for some of the semi trailers used to haul show equipment a tank of fuel was costing upwards of $3,000.
“That’s something I’ve also heard at camp drafts and shows where people haul cattle using larger semi trailers,” he said.
Shane Hauschildt of View Field Droughtmasters in Talegalla outside Rosewood said his boss owned a piggery, where the fuel bill rose to $20,000 in one week.
“That was when the fuel prices were still around the two dollar mark and he said this week the bulk price for fuel was going to be $3.23, so I’d say ours is going to be a lot dearer,” Shane said.
“We’ll take our cattle to the shows regardless because it’s something we enjoy and look forward to doing.”
