2012 Northland Field Days To Feature Tractor Fires And Jousting

There will be no shortage of action and excitement at the Northland Field Days this year as the fire service demonstrates why it's so important to keep your tractor engine free of bird’s nests and Northland and Auckland riders get medieval on each other.

The Northland Fire service will be setting a tractor on fire twice a day at the Northland Field Days this year to teach farmers about the importance of checking in tractor hoods for birds nests.

Birds that build nests under unattended tractors frequently result in the loss of the tractor and other expensive farm equipment and Northland Fire Service Fire Safety Officer, Craig Bain, said it is important that farmers know how to take care of their machines and what will happen if they don't.

The demonstration which will be held at 11am and 3pm each day and it will be a timely reminder for farmers given the later summer of 2012.

With Farmers Mutual Group, a major agricultural insurer, seeing a 13% increase in the number of tractor fires over the last two years and 15-20 tractor fires a year in Northland alone, Bain says tractor fires are one of their bigger problems in rural communities.

“We want to heighten the awareness around the fact that these things happen,” says Bain. "We want to give farmers tips on how they can circumvent it happening."

Any farmer interested in learning more about the steps needed to prevent tractor fires should go to site 57 at the end of Total Span Alley up by the Tractor Pull Competition.

If your interest is a little more medieval, then perhaps you would like to head to the events arena where there will be a demonstration of jousting from 1pm-2pm Thursday & Friday. Saturday 10am-11am & 1.30pm -2pm. Events Arena is on Entrance Esplanade.

Whangarei-based knight, Vikki Subrtizky, and Pukekohe-based knight John King will joust in 13th century armor.

Subrtizky is looking forward to the event.

"It's a good opportunity to have serious fun."

Held on March 1-3 in Dargaville the Northland Field Days has a range of events and attractions for the whole family. From Doug the Digger to lawnmower racing, to the tractor pull, there is something for everybody at the Northland Field Days.

To learn more about what's on at the field days this year go to Northlandfielddays.co.nz

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