Thursday, 19 March 2015 08:52

Central Districts Field Days pulls in the crowds

Written by 

Over 30,000 people attended this year’s Central Districts Field Days, which attracts visitors and exhibitors from all over the country.

The Feilding based event is now in its 22nd year and includes three days of agricultural events, products, and displays.

This year saw the introduction of a new programme dedicated to promoting and fostering careers in agriculture.  Branded as Get Ahead, this initiative allowed students to talk to champions about the jobs they do. Students were also tasked with a simple challenge in return for a free haircut - Get a haircut and get a real job!  The hairdressers on site mowed through 120 haircuts over the three days.

Organisers say exhibitors at the site were up on last year, reaching almost 560, with 111 new exhibitors.

The stock-handling systems, in particular, were a popular choice, with sales continuing right through until the final day of the event. Exhibitors with "big ticket" items like machinery and tractors also saw good transactions.

Among the more popular attractions was the FoodHQ site, giving farmers and visitors an insight into New Zealand's international centre for food innovation. Visitors had the opportunity to taste preservative-free brownies and ginger slice with an export shelf life of four months, and discover the potential value in broad beans as a fodder crop, a protein source, a nitrogen-fixer in our soils and a healthy snack food.

FoodHQ was also the venue for a number of events and networking functions, including presentations by the regional development task force, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy, and an FMG breakfast hosted by Jamie McKay from radio's Farming Show.

More like this

Massey Ferguson launches double small square baler

AGCO has released details of the new SB.1436DB small square, or conventional baler, that rather unconventionally, produces two rows of bales per field pass, so doubling the output over a traditional single baler producing 14-by-18-inch bales.

What's the correct bolt to use?

You cannot go far in farming without encountering fasteners such as nuts and bolts, given that expensive plant, machinery and buildings are held together by them and your gates would not fill gateways if they were missing.

Featured

Being a rural vet is ‘fantastic’

Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) awards.

National

Helping protect sheep from parasites

Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s…

Machinery & Products

Farmer-led group buys Novag

While the name and technology remain unchanged and new machines will continue to carry the Novag name, all the assets,…

Buhler name to go

Shareholders at a special meeting have approved a proposed deal that will see Buhler Industries, the publicly traded Versatile and…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Make it 1000%!

OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…

Own goal

OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter