28 March 2011

Resilience of South Island Farming Community on Show at Field Days

A big turnout is expected for the South Island Agricultural Field Days which starts on Wednesday and runs for three days at Lincoln University Farm.

Hamish Maginness, the chairman of the organising committee, said despite the obvious setbacks from mother nature the South Island farming community is in good spirits, mostly due to high commodity prices. “Farmer’s are generally quite positive thanks to the good dairy payout, good lamb prices and the turn around in wool prices,” said Mr Maginness.

More than 350 exhibitors will be on show at what is the largest field days event in the South Island. “Only eight exhibitors pulled out because of the earthquake and we’ve allocated those sites to the companies on our exhibitor waiting list.”

Every day around 80 exhibitors will demonstrate machinery and equipment. “We have more demonstrations than any other event in the country. Farmers and contractors get to see machinery and equipment in action in a real paddock, as opposed to viewing it in a sales yard.”

The first South Island Field Days was held at Motukarara 60 years ago – it was a one-day event that attracted around 1000 people. Since then Field Days has been held every second year and is now based at Lincoln University Farm. It has grown into a three-day event attended by around 25,000 South Island farmers.

Hamish Maginness said he’s expecting a good turn out this year as the weather forecast is fairly good and many farmers will take the opportunity to catch up with their mates from around the South Island after what’s been a difficult eight months. Luckily motels in Selwyn district and on Riccarton and Lincoln roads are relatively unaffected by last month’s quake so accommodation shouldn’t be an issue.

This year’s event will also host the Tasman Regional Final of the Young Farmers competition on Thursday. And, for the first time AgriKidsNZ and TeenAg competitions will be held on Friday – they’re mini versions of the Young Farmer competition aimed at eight-12 year-olds and 13-18 year-olds respectively.

ENDS

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