Upbeat crowd, exhibitors at field days
With an enforced absence of two years, brought about by its cancellation in 2020, the Central District Field Days at Feilding heralded the first event of its type for 2021.
Chairperson Michaela McLeod is describing it as the perfect opportunity to celebrate the industry that has been the backbone of New Zealand’s economy during the uncertain times of Covid-19.
“The agricultural industry has hardly skipped a beat over the past few months, and we see the South Island Agricultural Field Days as the perfect place for farmers, contractors and our industry to come together and share their stories, celebrate their successes and look for opportunities to improve their businesses.
“Like everyone else, we need to keep planning and operating our businesses, so whilst we’re putting in a lot of contingencies regarding various Covid restrictions, it’s important that we get set to celebrate our milestone of our 70th year too.
“It was sad that the Canterbury A & P Show was understandably cancelled this year, which means the SIAFD will be the first major agricultural gathering of its size to take place in Canterbury post lockdown.”
SIAFD, which is renowned for its live demonstrations, will increase the size of its demonstration area with the intention of showcasing both large and small machinery to the attending public.
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SIAFD 2021 will have an even bigger demonstration area. |
“We see our event as the perfect place for exhibitors to demonstrate their equipment and developments to as many people as possible,” says McLeod.
“With that in mind it made sense to offer a larger space to see their equipment in full flight and to also expand that to some of the smaller equipment exhibitors. We see SIAFD as an opportunity for farmers and contractors to engage in all sorts of commerce over a couple of days, as well as a place for them to get off farm and enjoy time with their mates.”
“We have 10ha of irrigated land that will be in a mixture of barley stubble, green feed oats, grass and lucerne, which offers a wide range of exhibitors the chance to showcase their new equipment,” said committee member Andrew Stewart.
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Exhibitors can book a site now and can be reassured that 100% of site fees paid will be refunded if the event is cancelled due to Covid-19. |
With no other field days in New Zealand offering this sort of demonstration area, Stewart believes the South Island Agricultural Field Days is one of the best places for interested buyers to see and compare so many options.
“We will have ploughs, large one-pass cultivators, drills, mowers, rakes, tedders, balers, forage harvesters, sprayers and all sorts of equipment on display. Because it is over three days as well, it means potential buyers can take their time and make any decisions without feeling rushed too,” Stewart added.
If the SIAFD event has to be cancelled due to Covid-19, the exhibitors can be reassured that the committee will refund 100% of the site fees paid. To book a site visit www.siafd.co.nz
