Thursday, 29 November 2018 10:00

Standing firm on machinery

Written by 
Alistair Robinson, chair of the SIAFD executive committee. Alistair Robinson, chair of the SIAFD executive committee.

A firm stand on demonstrating machinery and technology is a key reason why 50% of the exhibitor sites are now sold for the South Island Agricultural Field Days, says spokesman Daniel Schat.

The biennial event routinely attracts about 30,000 visitors, he says.

“We are proud of our status as the field day with the largest machinery demonstration programme in New Zealand.”

The 2019 event will run from Wednesday March 27 to Friday March 29 at the field days’ permanent home near Kirwee, west of Christchurch. 

Alastair Robinson, the new chair of the SIAFD executive committee, says preparations for the 2019 field days are tracking well and the organising committee is improving infrastructure at the venue. 

“Sites are selling well, which is important for us because the income from registrations helps us to improve our facilities.”

 An upgrade of the electrical infrastructure at the Kirwee site will make it easier and safer for exhibitors to set up and clean up afterwards. Earlier this year the organisers gravelled all the laneways, and have extended the irrigation system and planted native trees along the boundaries, helped by volunteers.

Robinson acknowledges RX Plastics, Ashburton, for the 150mm pipe used to extend the irrigator; Cresslands Contracting and Porter Group for digging the pipe trench; Tony Redmond, Andrew Walker and Rodney Hadfield for helping lay the pipe, and Orari Nursery for the native plants. 

“A number of businesses have been very generous with their support, and others will step in with help as we get closer to the event,” Schat said.

www.siafd.co.nz

More like this

Cow collars reduce empty rate

With mating season just around the corner, Darfield dairy farmer Daniel Schat says activity-monitoring collars have been a game changer on his farm.

Carrot harvesting on a giant scale

The South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) gave the Landpower Vegetable Centre, a specialist division of the Claas Harvest Centres, the chance to show of it extensive product range – centred around the vegetable cultivation, planting and harvesting sector.

SIAFD knocks it out of the park!

While the temperature was struggling to reach about 5 degrees and the horizontal hail had enough grunt to slice cheese, the SIAFD committee knocked it out of the park by delivering another great event.

New face at Power Farming

Well known motor industry face Tom Ruddenklau has been appointed as chief of the Morrinsville-headquartered, Power Farming Group.

Featured

Help for flood-stricken farmers

Multiple agencies are working to help farmers in Otago hit by the recent floods and Southland farmers who have faced many months of adverse weather.

Shift in farm sales, prices

Farm sales are on the rise. According to recent data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ), there was an 18.9% increase in farm sales for the three months ending August 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

National

A leader among CEOs

Richard Burke, a leading CEO in the primary sector, has departed from a company he's played a huge part in…

Ideal weather for growers

Specialist horticulture and viticulture weather forecasters Metris are reporting near ideal spring start conditions for fruit growers this season.

LIC ready for challenges ahead

Herd improvement company LIC says it's well-positioned for the challenges ahead and remains focused on its core purpose - delivering…

Machinery & Products

New F5 balers from McHale

Irish grassland machinery manufacturer McHale has unveiled the new four-model range of F5 fixed chamber balers.

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Trump tariffs

OPINION: Former politicians seem incapable of staying away from the limelight after they retire.

Air Miles

OPINION: The latest travel receipts for MPs are in (April – June 2024).

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter