Sites in demand at South Island Field Days

Strong demand has seen almost 200 sites snapped up for the South Island Agricultural Field Days.

The field days event, which has the largest display of farm machinery demonstration in New Zealand, will be held at Lincoln University near Christchurch from March 26-28th.

Organising committee secretary Errol Costello says at the cut-off date, demand almost matched the record turn-out of 230 two years ago.

He is thrilled with the response and says with farmers in a positive mood, exhibitors can once again expect healthy sales. Arable farmers have enjoyed a buoyant season, with good prices for white clover and grass seed, while dairying was still doing reasonably well and lamb prices were holding, Mr Costello said.

“We’ll be sticking to what we do best - well-run demonstrations with exhibitors getting out there and making their pitch to keen buyers.”

While some companies have been regulars since the event began, others will be showcasing innovations in the hope of winning the New Farm Equipment Award.

A newcomer this year is Trade New Zealand, which will be handing out tips for would-be exporters. “It should be a great opportunity for some companies to get an introduction to exporting,” Mr Costello says.

A dinner will be held for previous organising committee members to mark the 50 years since the field days’ humble beginnings at Tai Tapu. They were held at different sites around Canterbury until moving to Lincoln University in 1977.

“It’s a perfect place for the event. The area is compact enough that visitors can work their way around systematically and get to see everything.”

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