The Adelaide Showground has always been abuzz with activity during the first week of September as the Royal Adelaide Show kicks off, but the cancellation of this year's event, which was meant to start tomorrow (Friday), has left the site eerily quiet.
This is only the fourth time in 181 years that the show has been cancelled, and Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of SA chief executive officer John Rothwell said the cancellation had resulted in a 95 per cent income loss for the society.
"We've lost the show income, which is about 67pc of our gross income for the year, and we've also lost (the income from) all the other events and exhibitions usually held at the showgrounds through the year," he said.
"It's going to have an impact right to the end of next year, it's about a $10-million net financial loss over these two years, which will take quite a bit to recover from."
Despite the financial blow, Mr Rothwell was confident that next year's show would go ahead - even if COVID-19 remained a consideration - with this year's cancellation giving the RA&HS an opportunity to "reset and rethink" all elements of the show.
"We may have to adjust the program and the layout of a few things next year, but we'll guarantee that we will have the essence of the show here, the basics of what the show is about will be the number one priority," he said.
We thought some schools or parents would be concerned about being involved, but the interest has been very high and there will be so many benefits in terms of education and development of students.
- JOHN ROTHWELL
Highly-anticipated livestock events usually held at the show - including the Merino and British breed ram sales, the Schools' Merino Wether Competition and the Beef Carcase Competition awards presentation - are still going ahead this year, with entry numbers on par with last year.
Illoura White Suffolk stud principal Allan Piggott, Moorlands, commended the show for forging ahead with the major livestock sales.
"We understand why we're in the situation we're in, and the need to keep everyone safe, but I think we're very fortunate that the show society have come up with a COVID-19 plan so we can still have the sales at the showgrounds this year," he said.
Mr Piggott has been showing rams all his life, and is a repeat vendor at the Elite Stud Sheep Sale, where he has four sheep in this year's line-up.
"(The sales) are probably the premier White Suffolk and Merino sales in the country, and studs still need to be buying genetics even during a pandemic, so this is a great opportunity," he said.
SAFETY MEASURES IN PLACE FOR LIVESTOCK EVENTS
A HANDFUL of livestock events usually held during the Royal Adelaide Show are still going ahead at the Adelaide Showground, but they will look a little different due to the COVID-19 safety measures in place.
The Elite Stud Sheep Sale, being held on Sunday, as well as September 11's Merino ram sale, will not be open to the public, with only bidders, vendors and stock agents allowed in the venue.
Interstate buyers will not be in attendance, but the interfacing of the sale with AuctionsPlus will allow them to bid online.
About 10 sheep from outside SA will feature in the Elite sale, as well as three in the Merino sale, many of which will be offered online instead of being physically present.
About 70 schools have entered into the Schools' Merino Wether Competition to be held on Wednesday next week, which is the equal-highest entry level seen, according to Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of SA chief executive officer John Rothwell.
"We thought some schools or parents would be concerned about being involved, but the interest has been very high and there will be so many benefits in terms of education and development of students," he said.
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Attendance rules will be enforced, with a strict limit of one student per sheep, teachers allowed as required, and no members of the public able to watch.
Judging of the competition will be grouped into five batches, allowing each batch to be spread out through the pavilion to ensure adequate social distancing.
A COVID marshal will be present at events to enforce social distancing at all times, while officials will also be stationed at entry points to ensure those entering are allowed to do so. Attendee sign-in will be compulsory.
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Claire Harris
Journalist at Stock Journal. Hailing from South East Queensland, Claire moved to SA at the start of 2019. She is passionate about agriculture, cooking, sport, and line dancing, and loves a good long road trip.
Journalist at Stock Journal. Hailing from South East Queensland, Claire moved to SA at the start of 2019. She is passionate about agriculture, cooking, sport, and line dancing, and loves a good long road trip.
