Tuesday, 04 June 2024 12:52

Fieldays 'focus'

Written by The Hound

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OPINION: The annual Fieldays at Mystery Creek next week should inject some much-needed energy into the agricultural sector, however, a mate of the Hound questions whether the organisers truly understand that most of the exhibitors are hoping to see farmers – not just all-and-sundry – coming through the turnstiles.

One of the many recent press releases from Fieldays focused on the heartwarming memories a few regular visitors had of coming back every year.

Not a single working farmer was included in the story.

Instead we had: a former Aucklander now living in Wellington; and a retired farmer from South Africa.

No disrespect to the thousands of townies and school kids that attend, they no doubt add a lot of tin to the gate takings, but the event should surely be focused on connecting farmers with those providing the products and services they need to farm.

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