Day out at Fieldays leads to ute win
Out of more than 80,000 entries, Daniel Neil from Piopio has been announced as the lucky winner of the Isuzu D-MAX LX Double Cab 4WD Ute in this year’s Fieldays Ute giveaway.
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."
Fonterra says the US continues to be an important market for New Zealand dairy and the co-op.
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand's trade interests are best served in a world where trade flows freely.
New Zealand's red meat sector says it is disappointed by the United States' decision to impose tariffs on New Zealand exports.
OPINION: Farmers nationwide will be rubbing their hands with glee at the latest news from the Government about the RMA reforms.
Holstein Friesian NZ and Link Livestock have agreed on a strategic partnership to provide HFNZ members with comprehensive services from one of New Zealand's most respected dairy men.
Rural retailer Farmlands has launched a new casual clothing range available across 42 stores nationwide and through its online store.