The countdown is on to one of our favourite times of the year – the Dowerin Machinery Field Days.
What started as a bit of a community fundraiser for local sporting grounds 60 years ago has turned into an annual highlight, showcasing the latest and greatest, and bringing more than 20,000 people together to talk all things agtech and innovation.
It might be surprising to hear that a bunch of insurance brokers are counting down the days, but I assure you we relish the opportunity to catch up with clients and friends (the lines are often delightfully blurred) and learn what’s new. In fact, some of us carry a proud reputation as agtech nerds.
In a way we’re living vicariously, enjoying the thrill our clients get when they’ve had a good year and are checking out what shiny investment might help them do even better in the years ahead.
But we’re also doing our homework – staying up to date is critical research so we can do better year-on-year too. It’s the same reason we might bump into you at the latest product launch or conference – and no, it’s not for the very kind hospitality, though it’s always good to catch up afterwards over a coffee or beer.
As brokers, we work across industry borders. If we’re going to get you the best from the insurance industry, we have to know and understand a fair bit about the agricultural industry too.
We will never have the expertise our clients have. Some of them are third or fourth generation producers and have agriculture running through their veins. What we bring to the table is decades of experience in risk management – and enough knowledge and understanding of life in regional and remote Western Australia to ask the right questions and challenge assumptions that can leave your business and your livelihood exposed.
Staying close to the action is all part of the role. It’s how we help you avoid – or deal with – drama. And for many of our team, it’s all part of the lifestyle they love. They live in regional WA too – and work at one of our offices in Geraldton, Bunbury or Kalgoorlie.
We are acutely aware that the agricultural industry is enduring some tough times with high input costs, enormously challenging weather and pest issues, geopolitical challenges and more – so whether or not investment in new machinery is on the horizon or on hold right now, there’s no doubt you’re taking a hard look at operations over the next year or two.
As you go through that process, think about getting early advice from an insurance broker who makes sure they know a fair bit about what you’re going through – and where the protection opportunities and pitfalls may lie.
It’s an open invitation to drop into one of the team in our regional offices, give us a call – or catch us in Dowerin!
*This article first appeared in Farm Weekly, August 2026.
