increase font size
Farmland marketer doing the rounds at last year’s event.
More exhibitors and visitors are expected at this year’s South Island Agricultural field days (SIAFD), March 25-27, on a new site in Kirwee.
SIAFD bought the 40ha site after it outgrew its previous leased site near Lincoln University, after 32 years; the field days have been held near Christchurch every second year since 1951.
Committee chairman Alastair Robinson says while there is still a lot to do, the event has a good committee, and they are confident everything will get done on time.
The new rectangle block at Kirwee is a better shape than the former site in Lincoln and should be easier for exhibitors to work with; entry into the event will also be easier and more logical. The previous site was a triangle, and exhibitors in the far corners were sometimes overlooked.
SIAFD usually attracts about 25,000 visitors over the three days, although the committee is hoping the larger site and new location will result in even more coming through.
“We have registered 450 exhibitors, which is over 150 more than our previous event. We’re hopeful that we’ll have more people through the gate than previously,” Robinson says.
“There’s been positive feedback from exhibitors and they’re looking forward to the new site. They’re happy with the layout.”
A half-circle centre-pivot irrigator will operate at the front of the site. It is now running to ensure a good crop of grass for harvest equipment demonstrations.
Think Water Leeston, a family-owned water services business, has made a commitment to supply, install and maintain the irrigator for 20 years and will be present at the event.
Committee member Daniel Schat says crops for demonstrations have been drilled and sites allocated.
“We have more room and the shape is a lot more conducive to filling up the space. The half-circle centre-pivot irrigator is located at the front, close to the big demonstrating exhibitors,” he says.
The increase in exhibitor numbers this year shows the community is continuing to support the field days and wants to be a part of it, he says. “It’s only a $15 entry fee so it’s very minimal.”
About 100 pieces of machinery, including tractors, headers, mowers and seed drills, are demonstrated.
Tel. 03 423 0537
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) gave the Landpower Vegetable Centre, a specialist division of the Claas Harvest Centres, the chance to show of it extensive product range – centred around the vegetable cultivation, planting and harvesting sector.
While the temperature was struggling to reach about 5 degrees and the horizontal hail had enough grunt to slice cheese, the SIAFD committee knocked it out of the park by delivering another great event.
The sheds have been built, the marquees are up and now the 600-plus exhibitors are busily dressing their sites.
Well known motor industry face Tom Ruddenklau has been appointed as chief of the Morrinsville-headquartered, Power Farming Group.
A couple of the machines that will be on show at the 2023 SIAFD have effectively already done their live demonstration.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Two major red meat sector projects are getting up to a combined $1.7 million in funding from the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).
Angus Barr and Tara Dwyer of The Wandle, Lone Star Farms in Strath Taieri have been named the Regional Supreme Winners at the Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards in Dunedin.
OPINION: The distress that the politicians and bureaucrats are causing to the people of Wairoa and the wider Tairāwhiti is unforgivable.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird…
OPINION: Synlait's financial woes won’t be going away anytime soon.
