Manawatu's economy bouncing back
Although the national economy is still functioning below pre-pandemic levels and the road ahead remains uncertain, the Manawatu region appears to be bearing up well.
Over 30,000 people attended this year’s Central Districts Field Days, which attracts visitors and exhibitors from all over the country.
The Feilding based event is now in its 22nd year and includes three days of agricultural events, products, and displays.
This year saw the introduction of a new programme dedicated to promoting and fostering careers in agriculture. Branded as Get Ahead, this initiative allowed students to talk to champions about the jobs they do. Students were also tasked with a simple challenge in return for a free haircut - Get a haircut and get a real job! The hairdressers on site mowed through 120 haircuts over the three days.
Organisers say exhibitors at the site were up on last year, reaching almost 560, with 111 new exhibitors.
The stock-handling systems, in particular, were a popular choice, with sales continuing right through until the final day of the event. Exhibitors with "big ticket" items like machinery and tractors also saw good transactions.
Among the more popular attractions was the FoodHQ site, giving farmers and visitors an insight into New Zealand's international centre for food innovation. Visitors had the opportunity to taste preservative-free brownies and ginger slice with an export shelf life of four months, and discover the potential value in broad beans as a fodder crop, a protein source, a nitrogen-fixer in our soils and a healthy snack food.
FoodHQ was also the venue for a number of events and networking functions, including presentations by the regional development task force, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy, and an FMG breakfast hosted by Jamie McKay from radio's Farming Show.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the relationship between New Zealand and the US will remain strong and enduring irrespective of changing administrations.
More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) says securing more China label registrations and developing its own nutritional manufacturing capability are high on its agenda.
Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.
As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.
Livestock can be bred for lower methane emissions while also improving productivity at a rate greater than what the industry is currently achieving, research has shown.
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