This is part of a paid promotion by Primex.
Casino’s Norco Primex, one of the only family-owned agricultural field day in Australia, has 41 years of showcasing produce, machinery and services from across some of the country’s richest lands.
And it’s back, brighter and in 2025 focused on its new theme — Our Future of Farming across the Northern Rivers.
This area and its rich soils hosts a diversity of agriculture, from beef production to berry farming, from timber production to dairy produce with a farm gate valued in excess of $1 billion per annum according to the NSW DPI.
Machinery exhibits at Norco Primex from May 15-17 will be complemented across the 32hectare site by a range of 1200 suppliers including many local and family-owned agricultural businesses and suppliers alongside services from the likes of the DPI and Health & Wellbeing with these field days generating between $45-70 million in sales each year and injecting an estimated $3.5million into the region.
Close to 50% of visitors are farmers and primary producers from industries ranging from beef production to macadamia nut growers, forestry to soybean and sugar cane.
The Casino field days were originally formulated as the Eastern Coast Rural Trade Expo by John Wright in 1985 and was one of his 1980s’ concepts – including the inaugural Ballina Boat Show – to supplement down times for the family’s Wright Hire company with branches on the Gold Coast and at Alstonville in northern New South Wales.
That first expo featured primarily farm machinery traders and attracted some 3000 visitors. Over 40 years the original horse paddock was transformed, with earthworks and infrastructure, into the Wright family’s Richmond Valley Events Centre, this year looking to host 1200 companies and more than 30,000 visitors.
Norco AgriSolutions general manager Luke Couch says the company is immensely proud of its roots and commitment to serving Australian farmers.
“Primex has been instrumental in supporting these values and has become the highlight of the year for us and our customers alike. It’s where we come together to celebrate innovation, share knowledge and forge deeper connections with those we serve.”
Norco Primex is now run by John’s son Bruce and his family from a Gold Coast office.
Bruce, after a stint at university, was 21 when first involved in helping organise the Casino event.
“I was thrown in the deep end in a lot of ways. It’s been an interesting ride but I’m proud of how it’s developed as a showcase for agribusiness and the Northern Rivers,” Bruce said.
Today he is a staunch advocate for the area’s agricultural industries and its communities.
After his father John stepped away in 2014, Bruce took over ownership in 2017 and was last year joined by Bella Slater in her role handling Primex administration.
Her family own and operate Slater Farms producing soybean and rice at their Kyogle farm.
The 2025 Norco Primex opens 9am to 4pm on Thursday, May 15, Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17 and will have a number of free and special features and events from live entertainment, the Wildlife Twins, chefs on stage, working dog trials and sale, farm animal nursery, agtech including drones, outdoor leisure and special giant fish tank, vintage machinery display, the dinky di train, and wide range of demonstrations and activities for the entire family.
Visitors are encouraged to purchase their tickets online and receive a 30% discount.
Otherwise you can purchase at the gates on the day one-day pass $20, three-day pass $45. Children under 12 free, 12-17 day pass $10 + three-day pass $20. Student/pensioner one-day pass $10, three-day pass $20.
The 2025 Norco Primex opens 9am to 4pm on Thursday, May 15, Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17.
Tickets can be bought online for a 30% discount or at the gates. One-day pass $20, three-day pass $45. Children under 12 free, 12-17 day pass $10 + three-day pass $20. Student/pensioner one-day pass $10, three-day pass $20.
For more information, check www.primex.net.au