TractorPull New Zealand’s Vaughan Coy says entries were up strongly on last year and competition was great. Busy contractors liked it especially, he says.
“We’re looking forward to building the supporting competitions and expect to see many more exhibitors take up the business house challenge next year.”
Winners of the business house competition were Vet Markers’ John and David Fenemor; and on Friday the winner of the Battle of the Brands was Kubota M126X driven by Zac Harris.
“A big thank you goes to Norwood Farm Machinery Centre which stepped up to sponsor the event, provided machinery and man power,” Coy says. “ Todd Fletcher and Zac Harris organised and ran the day and can be proud of their efforts.”
The winners of the national excavator competition were James Lux from the Bay of Plenty of Fulton Hogan with the second placement taken by Matthew Hareb of Taranaki of MHareb Excavating with third place going to Hawkes Bay’s Steve Galbraith of Gair Contracting.
The winner of the one day contracting job was Brian Hoffmann of Auckland’s Brian Hoffmann Ltd who also took the truck loading event.
Steven Galbraith of Hawke’s Bay took the load security event and the ‘good bastard’ award went to James Lux from the Bay of Plenty with Fulton Hogan
Other winners during the CDFDs were the father and son team which participated in the Central Districts double power fencing – Paul and Jason Van Beers from Waipukurau.
Around the exhibitors’ sites, Fence Pro’s Grant Barnes was pleased with the amount of inquiries and made a couple of sales.
Greenwood’s Michael Veitech, who hosted the Rural Prize - farm bike, trailer and all of the other prizes on his site – says he is happy with the level of inquiries and was a bit philosophical about it. “The drought is dampening - and revenue is down for clients. I have a sense come spring there will be calls.”
Foxton calf rearer Gordon Lister drove away with the rural prize.
Central Districts Field Days organiser Cheryl Riddell says Kister was prompted by his wife Maureen to enter the draw. “They live on a 20-acre block and rear calves. It’s great they have won the prize and were surprised to have done so,” says Riddell.
The Taste of Central Districts prize basket with items donated from all of the businesses which participated in the marquee was won by Marton resident Barry Maynell.
“It’s great to know lots of people are participating in our competitions,” says Riddell. “One bonus for the organisers is that the entry forms from both competitions have given them valuable information about where people are coming from to attend the CDFDs.”
