Ted and Dorothy Jerry AgQuip long-time shorthorn cattle stall

The shorthorn cattle breeders make the trip every year from their farm, Nombi Park, just five kilometres past Mullaley.

Over the years, they’ve seen AgQuip grow from it’s humble beginnings in to the nation’s biggest agricultural event showcase.

“When it started we were in a little two-man tent,” Mrs Jerry said, from outside the massive shed where they now set up shop.

“We didn’t even have a yard or a pen to put the bull in, it was just tied up.

“I made a box of sandwiches, and some cakes and slices, for anybody that would come by, and they’d have a cuppa tea with us and look at the cattle. We didn’t have any hot water, I had to bring a few thermoses.”

The pair would be among the oldest, if not the oldest, stallholders, with Mr Jerry turning 92 in January and Mrs Jerry turning 87 the following month.

Mr Jerry said AgQuip was marked on the calendar every year and while his health was deteriorating, he plans to be there next year for the 47^th event.

“If we’re still kicking we will be there,” he said.

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Mr Jerry, who’s been in the cattle game all his life, said the drought was the worst he’d seen.

“It’s bloody awful,” he said.

“We’ve had one’s that are just as big, but we’ve had so many bad years leading up to this one, that’s what’s done the damage.”

When The Leader asked him if he thought the dry conditions were having an impact on this year’s crowd, he replied: “I don’t know about that”. 

“The people are still here and we’re still selling just as many steaks,” he said.

“We sold more than 1000 yesterday.”