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From fleeces to factories
February 2015
New site to boost field days numbers by Paul Campbell
The South Island Agricultural Field Days is geared up to cater to an increase in both exhibitor and visitors numbers at it’s new venue in Kirwee.
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Guardians of the south
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It’s a dog’s life in the high country
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Tractor pulling is always a popular event with spectators
The event runs from March 25–27 on Courtenay Road, Kirwee, on 40 hectares of land that was bought after it outgrew its previous leased site near Lincoln University, home for the past 32 years. The new rectangle block is a better shape than the former site and should be easier for exhibitors to work with. Entry into the event will also be easier and more logical and as the previous site was a triangle, some exhibitors in the far corners were left out of the action. Usually attracting some 25,000 visitors over the three days, the organising committee
is hoping the larger site and new location will boost numbers this year. “There’s been heaps of positive feedback from exhibitors and they’re all looking forward to the new site. They’re happy with the layout we’ve chosen,” said committee chairman Alastair Robinson. Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy will open the event on Wednesday March 25th, while Selwyn MP Amy Adams will attend the following day. The growing popularity of SIAFD has led to higher than ever interest in the Agri-
Innovation Awards, which organising committee member Daniel Schat says have attracted a large number of entries. About 450 exhibitors will take part, up from about 300 last year. “This growth has also led to an increase in interest in the awards, which is a sign that our economy is still pushing forward,” he said. Entries provide a chance to demonstrate inventions and technological innovations and past entries have ranged from a small component that fits on motorbikes to major pieces of farm machinery. There are three categories. In New Zealand-made farm
machinery, entrants include Canterbury engineering firm Robertson Manufacturing, which will be located on site 262 and is entering its Little Ripper two-bale feeder. Within the Farm Aids and Farm Inventions category, Fertigation Systems on site 123 is entering a fertigation pump. Richard Miles Engineering on site 826 is entering a milk transfer trailer, and Te Pari Products on site 440 is entering an electronic drench gun. Within the Imported Farm Machinery category, Mountpanther NZ on site 760 is entering a Slurryquip effluent
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umbilical system and Kelly Engineering on site 731 is entering a 6.0m harrow. The increase in exhibitor numbers this year shows the community is continuing to support the field days and wants to be a part of it. It’s only a $15 entry fee so it’s very minimal,” Daniel says. “South Island Field Days are all about checking out that bit of equipment that you’re interested in buying and seeing it working.” About 100 pieces of machinery, including tractors, headers, mowers and seed drills, are put through their paces throughout the event.
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