On Thursday 30th March the Year 11 to 13 Agriculture students went on a trip to the South Island Ag Field Days which were held in Kirwee.

The event was held from Wednesday 29th to Friday 31st March and was a place for all ages to come along and explore the variety of opportunities, stalls, and new technology. Although temperatures fluctuated and the grounds were covered in thick, slippery mud it was a fun day.

As a group, we were given the challenge of going around the grounds and taking pictures at different stalls. This gave us all the chance to have a good look at all the different companies who were advertising and showing off their new technology. There were companies like Fonterra, Ravensdown, Stoney Creek, Balance, etc, but also stalls from businesses like Whistle & Pop, Hemprino, Blood NZ, etc. It was a great opportunity for farmers (and wives and children) to do some rainy-day shopping.

South Island Ag Field Days is one of the oldest and largest Agricultural events held in the South Island and it dates back 70 years. It focuses mainly on viewing machines in their working state but also helps reinforce the relationship between farmers, working services, scientists, and technology. It is the only agricultural show in New Zealand to feature side-by-side demonstrations, with 80 - 100 tractors, headers, mowers, seed drills, and other machines being put through their paces each day.

The Field Days attracts anywhere between 20,000 and 25,000 visitors over the three days. It is completely run by volunteers who are all farmers or work in the Agricultural Sector. At this event, any money made goes back into the community VIA scholarships and grants.

I would definitely recommend anyone interested to go along to the next Field Days.

Elise Whitwell