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Matt Daniel, Head of Land Watch New Zealand.
The National Fieldays is an annual fixture in the farming calendar: it draws in thousands of farmers, contractors, and industry professionals from across the country.
As the largest agricultural event in the Southern Hemisphere, Fieldays has long been the place where the sector comes together to share ideas, tackle challenges, and explore the innovations shaping the future of farming. For anyone serious about staying ahead in this industry, it’s not a matter of if you’ll attend, but how you’ll make the most of it.
So, what should you expect at this year’s event, and where should you spend your time?
Smarter farming through agtech
If there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that agtech continues to move from the fringe to the mainstream. This year’s Fieldays program has a strong focus on technology that helps farmers work smarter, not harder; From on-farm automation and precision machinery to remote monitoring solutions that put actionable insights at your fingertips.
I’ll be paying close attention to the new Tent Talks, a fresh collaboration between Fieldays and the University of Waikato, offering a range of sessions on the role of tech in New Zealand farming. These discussions are a great opportunity to hear from people in the thick of it, farmers, innovators, and researchers, each sharing real-world insights on what’s working and where the challenges lie.
Why on-farm surveillance matters
One area of tech that’s gaining serious momentum is on-farm surveillance and for good reason. With rural crime on the rise, having eyes on your property is no longer a nice to have; it’s a critical part of managing risk.
At Land Watch New Zealand, we’ve been working alongside farmers for over a decade, delivering rugged, farmtough security systems designed for the realities of rural life. Our systems are already trusted by thousands of farms across New Zealand and Australia.
We know how busy life on the land is, the long days, rising costs, and constant pressures. That’s why our systems are designed to be simple, durable, and tailored to fit into any operation. We make technology that works for farmers, because it’s built with farmers.
If you’re curious about how on-farm surveillance could work for you, Fieldays is the perfect time to come and see us. We’ll be at Site F28, ready to demonstrate how our systems work, answer your questions, and help you explore the right solution for your business.
Beyond the exhibits: make time for connection
The four-day calendar is packed with social events, demonstrations, and opportunities to connect with other farmers, contractors, and rural professionals. Whether it’s catching a demo in the main arena, joining a discussion panel, or having a yarn over a coffee, the value of Fieldays often lies in the conversations you have along the way.
It’s a great opportunity to get off the farm, step back from the day-to-day, and think bigger about where the industry is heading. You’ll find ideas to help you improve productivity, manage labour shortages, reduce costs, and build a more resilient business—whether that’s through technology, better practices, or fresh thinking.
Matt Daniel is head of Land Watch New Zealand Site F28
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