News

Drought or no drought, Field Days are fun

CATHERINE HEALY

11 Mar, 2010 10:12 AM

THE Northland Field Days opened on March 4 to a steaming, sunny day in Dargaville.

Despite the ongoing drought putting pressure on local farmers’ pockets, there was a steady influx of visitors through the gate, with numbers only slightly down on 2009 (5600 people).

Friday was a better day with record numbers through the gate (8800) and a bit of cloud to take the heat out of the Northland sun. Saturday morning brought a thunderstorm lasting an hour-and-a-half, which brought an end to the forestry competition.

The rain did little to scare the punters away: 9000 people came through the gate on Saturday. Competition was fierce in the Northland Toyota Dog Trials, the Northland Tractor Pull, Northland Logger Sports, Dargaville Honda Quad Bike Competition and the BNZ Junior Tractor Pull.

Some of the winners on the day were:

Tractor Pull: Jaiden Drought.

Quad Skills Competition, Men’s: Allan Van Hartingen. Ladies: Megan Browning

Dog Trials: Murray Child with Ace

The committee would appreciate your feedback on the event. Send your comments to nthfield@igrin.co.nz

The dates for the 2011 Northland Field Days will be March 3, 4 and 5.

Share on
Facebook

Tweet on
Twitter

Email to
a friend

comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment below.

post a comment

Screen name	*
Email address	*
Remember me?
Comment	*

	We invite and encourage our readers to post comments. Comments are moderated and will appear as soon as our editor has approved them. When posting comments you agree to be bound by our Terms and Conditions.

David Chan has been selling hotdogs at Northland Field Days for three years, and was happy to pose for this photo with a giant rubber hotdog. photos: Catherine Healy

Terry Cameron of The Feeder Leader Company was pleased to discuss ‘The Boss’ three-point linkage feeder with Northland Field Days visitors. Terry commented that the farmers he spoke to knew their stuff and gave him a good grilling about his products, which he enjoyed.

Shannon Hill, 29, invented the Hill Roller Drill in order to reduce the number of passes needed to sow a paddock. Designed and manufactured in New Zealand, Shannon’s father Phil was at Northland Field Days to show off the first commissioned Hill Roller Drill, which had only just emerged from the factory.

Simon Borck of Power Farming with the McHale range of baling equipment, manufactured in Ireland. The 991T (pictured) is a new concept twin dispenser machine, riding on the good reputation of the McHale 991BE.

Brent Willing of Kingcat said the Cheetah 40” is the sort of mower you’d want for a section of a couple of acres. It’s particularly suitable for Northland’s avocado growing operations, as it has a tight turning circle for use around trees and can mow right over sticks and avocado stones. The only “problem”, he said, is that Kingcats are so reliable that they tend to last for years.

Sara Gorgees, sales executive for NZ Rural Press, was lucky enough to win a G-Shock watch in the gate-hanging competition, at the PGG Wrightson site at Northland Field Days.

This giant inflatable cow had a great view of proceedings from the roof of the Corkill Systems stand.

Corkill Systems are specialists in Dairy Automation. International sales manager Vern Coxhead was excited to show off this new CSL Lobe Pump, made in New Zealand and suitable for all dairy sheds. It uses positive displacement for the least milk solid damage.

With a flick of the switch, the Corkill Systems team were able to show a working dairy automation system at Northland Field Days.

Natalie Teal and Lynn Neeley of Ulrich, McNab, Kilpatrick Lawyers of Whangarei brightened up an overcast day with smiles and balloons.

The team of Clydesdales and the traditional chuck wagon are a highlight of Northland Field Days, offering visitors a novel way to tour the showgrounds.

A little live jazz was offered on the Friday for those sitting down to dine in the foodcourt tent.

Mary-Margaret Vincent, 5, of Dargaville, had a go at operating Doug the Digger. She was visiting the Field Days with her family, who grow kumaras locally.

Reagan Wakeling entered the Northpower grinder competition. Reagan had to pump the grinder handles as hard as he could to power a lightbulb for one minute.

Freedom Anihana-Dunn, 3, was excited to be able to get so close to a sheep.

Resplendent in matching pink shirt and blanket, this pretty pair were on their way to perform for the Northland Field Days crowd.

As always, the Tractor Pull proved popular. These shots were taken as three local bankers had a go at operating the big machines.

Demonstrations of the portable Lucas Saw Mill drew a crowd of spectators, as the operator made milling look remarkably easy.

Ken Lawson was happy to show a Field Days visitor what the Kinghitter postdriver can do.

Coralie Bryant and her 14-year-old horse Monty had just finished a dressage performance when they stopped to talk to some admirers. This was Coralie’s third year at Northland Field Days and she decided to have some fun by wearing this dress, which she made herself.

Scott Wattie of Mi5 Security spoke to Field Days visitors about the Red Eye wireless camera, which is ideal for use around the farm.

Bob Pull of Probitas Systems discussed the benefits of farming without chemicals with Northland Field Days visitors. The company offers a soil and herbage testing service, with the goal of redressing the balance, farming sustainably and working with nature.

A shiny line-up of Honda bikes had the crowds drooling at Northland Field Days.

Wayne Fifield demonstrated the NRA FUD (fold-up decoys), which are designed to make duck shooting easier. The decoys are simple to assemble, and can hang on your hip when flat.