Fieldays calls for entries to 2026 Innovation Awards
Entries have opened for the 2026 Fieldays Innovation Awards.
NICK DROMGOOL, acting chief executive of New Zealand's National Fieldays – the Southern Hemisphere's largest agricultural show - visited Ireland's Ploughing Championships this week.
He was a guest of the National Ploughing Association and Enterprise Ireland, the Trade and Investment board of the Irish Government.
Dromgool had the opportunity to meet with Ireland's Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney, and senior officials of the NPA, to discuss the deepening relationship between the two agriculturally-based countries.
With the championships expected to attract over 200,000 visitors over a three-day period, Dromgool visited leading agricultural machinery firms, many of whom have exhibited at Fieldays. He was impressed with both the scale of the ploughing championships as well as the level of innovation of the Irish agricultural Industry.
Dromgool says "of the many synergies between both events, the focus and growth of innovations is paramount to the continued success within the primary sectors of both countries".
Both countries have demonstrated resourcefulness in their approach to solving farming challenges.
"I am keen to explore a collaborative relationship with the National Ploughing Association that will encourage a healthy exchange of information and representation at our respective events."
A strong economic relationship exists between Ireland and New Zealand, with two-way trade exceeding NZ$300 million in 2012. Fifteen Irish companies exhibited at the 2013 New Zealand National Field Days and Treza Gallogly, trade representative of Enterprise Ireland NZ expects this figure to grow in 2014.
"The 2013 Fieldays were a great success for Irish firms in New Zealand and Nick's presence here at the Ploughing Championships pays testament to this. We both recognise the strong connections between New Zealand and Irish agriculture, and are looking forward to bringing another large contingent of strong Irish agricultural companies to New Zealand in June next year."
The Meat Industry Association (MIA) is once again looking for game-changing ideas for New Zealand's red meat processing and exporting sector.
Environment Southland is inviting feedback on two bylaws that play a critical role in safeguarding the region's waterways and ensuring the safety of the local community.
While the North Island is inundated with rain, Southland is facing receding water levels as warm weather and lack of rainfall continues.
Entries have opened for the 2026 Fieldays Innovation Awards.
Organisers are expecting another full field of 40 of the country’s top shearers for the popular Speed Shearing event at this year’s Southern Field Days at Waimumu.
The Southern Field Days Innovation Awards have a great record in picking winners and the winner of the 2024 event will be putting up a display to support the event at this year’s show.

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