29 February 2016

Winners’ field day challenged and inspired

The spectacular scene of more than 75 cars snaking through the back tracks of Omarama station in a plume of high country dust was a visual highlight of the South Island Farmer of the Year winner’s field day on Friday( 26 February 2016), but for the more than 250 attendees, the real meat in the day was the exciting challenges and opportunities put to them by a variety of speakers.

Hosted by the Lincoln University Foundation and title winners Richard and Annabelle Subtil and their team, the field day was a popular attraction with visitors from throughout New Zealand.

Foundation Chair Ben Todhunter said the day had a strong theme of looking forward and new opportunities.

Advances in farm technology, soil science, pasture trial successes in demanding high country soils, stock genetics, data collection and application, and innovative thinking were featured, Todhunter said.

“The day had an air of optimism for New Zealand high country farming, highlighted by end users such as Silver Fern Farms (red meats) and Icebreaker (fine wools) looking at the growing benefits to New Zealand of farmers working directly with their companies to produce what the consumer wants.”

Todhunter said the diverse audience was actively interested with sharp and testing questions being put to presenters.

ENDS

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