Fieldays Focus 2022

Connect at Fieldays 2022

I am so pleased that Fieldays can take place this year and we’re very excited to execute a summer version of this event for the first time ever! It has been tough trying to rearrange the event’s timing this year after facing government restrictions on mass gatherings earlier this year, but with longer daylight hours, warmer days, and an increase in interest from our friends in the Northern Hemisphere, we’re sure that this year’s event will be as much of a success as ever. Fieldays always offers a unique opportunity to those in the primary sector to take a break and reconnect with friends and family across New Zealand and this year will be no different. Rest assured, you’ll still be able to see some of your favorite exhibitors, welcome some brand-new exhibitors and have the same Fieldays experience but this time, it’ll be in the summer sun – Same, Same but Different!

As always, there’s lots to see and do at Fieldays. The Fieldays Opportunity Grows Here Careers Hub is a star feature this year where visitors will be able to talk to people working in primary industries such as farming, apiculture and aquaculture. We’ll be debuting a Fieldays Forestry Hub too which will be a large-scale exhibit of the entire Forestry industry, including science, careers, and the value of wood. The ‘fan-favourite’ Fieldays Innovation Hub will be filled with many keen participants entering their innovations into the annual Fieldays Innovation Awards. We can’t wait to see how their innovations are going to revolutionise the primary

sector. To top it all off, we’ll be bringing back the Hauora Taiwhenua Health and Wellbeing hub which has proven to be an asset to our visitors. The hub is the perfect place to speak to health professionals, get checked up and find more resources to keep yourself and your family and friends in tip top shape. If you can’t make the physical event, Fieldays Online will be up and running again where we will continue to celebrate NZ food and education in the kitchen so you’ll be able to keep up with the action from afar.

Fieldays has always been a great place to generate leads, bag a bargain and pick up that shiny new piece of farming equipment. We’re proud to be the place to explore new innovations in the primary sector and the ultimate launch platform for cutting edge technology and innovation. We’re confident that the next big thing in agriculture is waiting to be discovered here this year, so don’t miss out on seeing the innovation that could revolutionise the way you work and live.

Fieldays is the best place to learn more about globalisation, education, and innovation within the primary sector. So, grab your friends, grab your family, and get ready to join us this November for one of what I believe will be one of our best events yet. We can’t wait to see you!

Peter Nation

New Zealand National Fieldays Society Chief Executive

Welcome to Fieldays 2022. It is time to swap those gumboots for jandals and raincoats for sunscreen as we welcome you back to Mystery Creek once again! After the curveballs of Covid forced us to shift the timing of Fieldays it is exciting to see how exhibitors and attendees are embracing the concept of a summer Fieldays. Our three Society pillars of innovation, education and globalisation have never become more important in these turbulent times. Fieldays is a great chance to reconnect with old friends, check out new ideas for your farm business and keep up to date with trends and issues facing our industries.

The primary sector at present has a challenging mixture of opportunities and challenges. On the farm I know first-hand farmers are doing their best to improve productivity, profitability, labour efficiency and environmental standards. Our 1000 exhibitors at Fieldays have a wide range of options to explore to achieve these goals.

I thank you for your support of Fieldays and look forward to seeing you there.

James Allen

New Zealand National Fieldays Society President

MPI leading the way in food and fibre collaboration with Fieldays

Take some time to see collaboration and partnership at its finest at the Fieldays Forestry and Fieldays Opportunity Grows Here Careers Hubs. Event partner MPI is leading the way in supporting food and fibre sector organisations by providing an engaging platform for visitors to learn more about the thriving sector and pathways. It’s the first time the Forestry Hub will be running at Fieldays. Both hubs support the Fieldays pillars’ of Education, Globalisation and Innovation.

Fieldays Forestry Hub Located near the intersection of G Street and I Road

The new kid on the block this year is the Fieldays Forestry Hub. The Hub’s a collaboration between Fieldays and an advisory group comprising of Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service, Forest Growers Levy Trust, Scion, NZ Forest Owners Association, Red Stag, NZ Farm Forestry Association and Future Forester’s. This hub gives visitors the opportunity to learn about the forestry and wood processing sector under one canopy. Practical experts from over 40 organisations will help you explore the many facets of this sector and how it mitigates climate change, under the theme ‘Wood – our low-carbon future’. Anything that’s a fossil fuel today can be made from a tree in the future. You’ll see leather shoes tanned with pine bark tannin, a showcase of drone technology and gain insights into biofuels.

Visitors can try out heavy machinery simulators and children can enter the ‘Kids Grow a Tree’ campaign. Landowners can talk with practical experts about plantation species and how you can integrate trees on farms to increase long-term returns and ensure sustainability. Jobseekers and students interested in careers in forestry and wood processing can learn also check out potential opportunities.

Fieldays Opportunity Grows Here Careers Hub -

Located on E street, on sites CH1 to CH11

The Ministry for Primary Industries and Fieldays have collaborated to bring to life the Fieldays Opportunity Grows Here Careers Hub.

This hub showcases the depth and breadth of New Zealand’s thriving food and fibre sector. There will be information available about everything from agriculture to apiculture and everything in between.

There will be a Fieldays Opportunity Grows Here Careers Trail for visitors to follow throughout the event to showcase career options and vacancies, a speaker and engagement series and a jobs board where visitors can see available food and fibre roles. There will also be engagement sessions designed to provide you with the opportunity to learn more about careers in the food and fibre sector and a panel discussion on Wāhine toa o te Whenua, an introduction to the food and fibre sector for rural and urban young women.

New Zealand’s food and fibre sector is driving New Zealand’s prosperity, so don’t miss out on learning more – come and experience the Fieldays Opportunity Grows Here Careers Hub at Fieldays 2022.

Explore from the Field

Fieldays Innovation Hub

Located at the intersection of D Street and M Road. The fan favourite Fieldays Innovation Hub showcases the best and brightest innovators in primary industries from across the country. The Fieldays Innovation Hub is the perfect place to launch an innovation that could revolutionise the landscape of an entire sector. As always, the globally renowned Innovation Awards will be held in the hub and with the help of some generous partners, keen innovators stand to gain a lot.

The breadth of talent across the 4 categories used to judge the Innovation Awards is astounding and the quality of entrants to the Innovation awards gets higher every year. The Fieldays Innovation Hub is always a stand-out feature at the event every year at Fieldays so come and visit this hub to be wowed and get a glimpse of the potential future of primary industries.

Fieldays Hauora Taiwhenua Health & Wellbeing

Hub - Located near the intersection of E Street and N Road. There’s no excuse not to visit the Fieldays Hauora Taiwhenua Health and Wellbeing Hub. From mental health, melanoma, cancers, diabetes, nutrition, chiropractic and cardiology, the Hauora Taiwhenua Health & Wellbeing Hub, supported by Mobile Health, is worth a check in, for a check up and is 100% free.

Fieldays Fencing Competitions

Located on A street Fieldays Fencing, brought to you by New Zealand Fencing Competitions (NZFC) this iconic Fieldays event is a competition and showcase of fencing brilliance. Don’t miss out on your chance to see some of the country’s top fencers partake in a masterclass of speed, skill and precision.

Fieldays Excavator Competitions

Located on H Street

A Fieldays favourite showcasing pure skill and precision. Come and watch these enormous machines being driven and manuouvered like you have never seen before in an exciting not to be missed competition.

Fieldays Tractor Racing Experience

Located at the end of M Road

A first ever at Fieldays, the Tractor Racing Experience supported by Ag Drive, is an opportunity for visitors to get behind the wheel of Case IH tractors. Sitting alongside an Ag Drive instructor, drivers will be put through their paces participating in modified tractor races trying to beat the clock.

This year: a sustainable Fieldays

Fieldays strives to give visitors sustainable event experiences every year and 2022 is no exception. With the help of external organisations and environmentally conscious practices, visitors to Fieldays can expect to see a seriously sustainable Fieldays event this year.

Fieldays is delivered in accordance with the internationally acknowledged ISO 20121 standards and, for the past 10 years, Fieldays has partnered with Instep, a sustainability monitoring and reporting organisation that works with exhibitors to make their sites as sustainable as possible. Through expert opinions and audits of the site, Instep has made a big difference to the running and sustainability of the event.

Fieldays also enlists the help of Closed Loop, an organisation which helps companies to fulfil their sustainability goals and divert waste from landfills. Closed Loop collects and sorts waste, conducts audits, place bins around the site and ensure areas such as the media centre and volunteer hub are following sustainability plans. In 2019, each piece of waste was sorted through and recycled to minimize the amount of waste being taken to landfill.

“We’ve got a number of awesome sustainability practices going on at Fieldays this year,” Janine Monk,

Community & Sustainability Executive at New Zealand National Fieldays Society says.

“Working with Instep and Closed Loop has made such a difference in our sustainability journey. Thanks to these awesome organisations, we can really ramp up our efforts and see the difference we’re making through audits and tangible measurements.”

The Fieldays App is designed to enhance the experience of visitors as well as minimise paper use and waste at the event.

The app will contain information about each exhibitor and where to find them, a map of the site and things to see and do while at Fieldays— such as competitions and specialty hubs. This app will make getting around Fieldays easier and can even help visitors to remember where their car is parked with its pin-yourcar feature.

Another sustainable initiative Fieldays champions is free buses to and from the event. While not a new initiative, it is very popular – resulting in an estimated 7000 cars off the road over the four event days, a metric that Fieldays CEO Peter Nation is very proud of: “We strive to make Fieldays as safe and sustainable as possible,” he says.

“Traffic around Mystery Creek can

“Working with Instep and Closed Loop has made such a difference in our sustainability journey. Thanks to these awesome organisations, we can really ramp up our efforts and see the difference we’re making through audits and tangible measurements.”

cause a few headaches, so the fact we can provide alternative transport to support large number of users, as well as alleviate some of the problems traffic creates, is a great thing.”

Three bus routes will be available for Fieldays’ ticket holders to use from locations in Hamilton and Cambridge. A new route has been established for visitors coming to and from Te Awamutu after an increase in demand from the area.

For more information regarding alternative transport options and ticketing, please visit www. fieldays.co.nz/ or download the free Fieldays app.

Diverting waste from landfill is a big aim for Fieldays this year.

How to turn good ideas into profit

“Design, develop & deliver” supply chain manager helps businesses flourish.

Gait International loves being a sponsor of the Fieldays Innovation Awards. With their own site in the Innovation Hub, they’re ideally placed to help start-up businesses expand cost-effectively – and at scale.

“There are always so many great ideas on display, but turning them into a profitable business can be challenging, given the high manufacturing costs when first starting out with small production runs,” says Gait International’s Reon Oak.

The company project manages manufacturing solutions for all their clients, leaving them free to concentrate on other business. For rural innovators, this means Gait can optimise design to ensure products can be manufactured as cost effectively as possible for the global market.

One small New Zealand company had the technology to be successful internationally but needed to reduce costs and sort out their supply chain –

and knew they didn’t have the expertise or experience.

When Gait took over management of their supply chain, they engaged all the suppliers, communicating with them daily.

Then they ensured everything was in place to manufacture the product on time, then ship it worldwide. This freed the start-up up to develop new products and expand its

customer network.

With Gait International’s help, clients often find their new designs

networks of component manufacturers all over the world,” says Oak. If required, Gait can get products assembled costeffectively at almost any scale.

The company started in Tauranga in 1987 and remains a family business, helping a wide range of local and overseas customers produce and distribute goods efficiently. They often find that changing a single component even slightly can mean the difference between a viable product and failure – especially important for smaller clients.

“We have many manufacturing associates in New Zealand, but we also offer overseas manufacturing facilities,” says Oak. “Thanks to our reputation and contacts on the international stage, we can usually secure a better deal for our clients than they could secure for themselves.”

It’s often cheaper to outsource this work to key manufacturing hubs overseas:

DairyNZ site showcases science, careers and solutions

At Fieldays, DairyNZ is showcasing the hard mahi dairy farmers have been doing to make Aotearoa New Zealand the best it can be.

DairyNZ is excited to be back at Fieldays to showcase the latest research from our team, funded by dairy farmers, to reduce footprint while increasing profit.

Research highlights include Less Methane (solutions to reduce methane emissions), Frontier Farms (creating world-leading profitable and sustainable farm systems) and plantain (reducing nitrogen leaching).

These are just some of the great things

Dairy farmers are encouraged to give feedback on our Fieldays site, with each entry going into a draw to win $1500 of riparian plants for their farm. They could also win the new limited edition Rosie’s Kitchen cookbook or a kids’ kitchen apron.

being led by dairy farmers. DairyNZ experts will also be on site to answer questions from farmers and the public.

Farmers can also access DairyNZ’s broad range of tools and resources including improving milking efficiencies, pasture management and genetic gain.

We also have a range of exciting things on every day for the whole family:

• On Wednesday DairyNZ welcomes dairy farmers and Fieldays visitors to its site to chat with its knowledgeable team, leaders and board members.

• On Thursday, Talking Dairy podcast host, Ben Chapman-Smith, will be recording on site with NZ Dairy Industry Award winners around their career progression and life after the awards, as well as topical conversations with farmer Climate Change Ambassadors. Come and hear what they’ve got to say or tune in to Talking Dairy.

• On Friday and Saturday, bring the kids along to see DairyNZ’s Cowbassador Rosie, who represents New Zealand’s dairy cows and tells the story of dairy farming to children. Rosie will be alongside Bay of Plenty farmer Shannon (from the GoDairy campaign) whipping

up delicious smoothies from Rosie’s Kitchen cookbook.

Dairy farmers are encouraged to give feedback on our Fieldays site, with each entry going into a draw to win $1500 of riparian plants for their farm. They could also win the new limited edition Rosie’s Kitchen cookbook or a kids’ kitchen apron.

Over in the Fieldays Opportunity Grows Here Careers Hub, GoDairy is continuing its recruitment drive by showcasing

career opportunities in the dairy sector, with inspiring speaker panel sessions and GoDairy representatives on site to answer questions.

DairyNZ is looking forward to connecting with farmers at Fieldays. You can visit the DairyNZ team in the Pavilion at site PC44 and GoDairy in the Fieldays Opportunity Grows Here Careers Hub at site CH4 on E Street.

When the country does well, we

do

Establishedin1966,PrattleyIndustries hasbuilt agloballytrusted reputation withlivestockproducersthroughthe manufacturingandsale of mobile yards, draftingunitsandconveyorbelts,primarily forthesheepsectorin NewZealand, Australia, theUnited KingdomandFrance.

Datamars GeneralManager–Australasia, MattCashmore said theacquisitioncombinedDatamars Livestock’straceabilityandproductivity solutionswith Prattley’s handling equipment to meetgrowingdemandfor greatertraceabilitytounderscore food securityandimprovedanimalhealth practices.

“Globally,consumersaredemandinga sustainableapproachtotheproduction offoodand fibre,whilebiosecurityand animalhealthcontinuestobeapressing concernformanyeconomies,” Mr Cashmoresaid.

“Prattleyis averysuccessful business withgreatpeople –wewant thatto continue,andtohelpthebusiness growfurtherand reachmorelivestock producersaroundthe world.”

MrCashmore saidPrattley’srangeof handlingsolutions,provide asafeand versatilesystemto helpfarmersphysically manageanimalsefficientlywithout compromisingstocksafetyandwelfare,

andworkedtogetherwithDatamars Livestock’s Tru-Testweighscaleindicator, load bars,andZTagsvisualandEIDtag solutions.

“Animaltraceability andmanagement underpinsthesheepsector’sability

to meetthesechallenges,andthis acquisitionallowsustoofferPrattley’s handling solution combinedwithour existingEIDtagand reader solutionsto provideproducerswiththeultimatetoolkit to ensure best practicefoodproduction,

animalwelfareand sustainability,”hesaid.

“Throughthiscombined,complete solution,livestockproducers arebetter equippedtotrack,weigh, treatand managelivestockmovements inlinewith precisiondecisionsaround,forexample, feedmanagement,healthtreatment,and culling.”

PrattleyManager Graeme Ward said hewasdelighted withthesaleofPrattley IndustriestoDatamars.

“Thejoiningofthetwocompanies will providefarmersandproducers awider rangeofanimalmanagementandhealth deliverysolutionsthroughonegreat

company,”Mr Ward said.

“WelookforwardtoPrattley’scontinued growththanks to Datamarsglobalsales andmarketingcapabilities,andtheir manufacturing andsupplychainsystems.”

Datamarswillbecometheprimary global resellerfor Prattley,whilethe Prattley companycontinuetooperate fromits Temuka-baseinSouthCanterbury, NewZealand.All26Prattleyemployees willjointheDatamarsteam.

VisittheDatamarsLivestock teamat thisFieldays(sites F46 &F48)toview theirfullremitoffarmingsolutions and exclusive Fieldaysdeals.

BarryFlynnmilks a620-strong Friesianherdon195HainMethven. Thefarmmanageroriginallyfrom CountyCavaninIreland,isslowly buildingupnumbersontheCavendish Partnershipfarm,anex-forestryblock justoutsideMtSomers.Threeyears out,anditpresentssomeanimalhealth challenges.

“Weare buildingupthesoilprofile andthecowsareproducing lotsof milk.The firstyearwehitourbreeding target.Butlastyear,didn’tgoour way.Thisyear,wewantedtoexplore howwecouldimproveourbreeding. Onekeystrategyfordoingthatwas collars.”

RobandBarrylookedattheir options.Theyranwith Tru-Test AutomatedHeatMonitoringwithActive CollarsfromDatamarsLivestock.

“FromanIrishpointofview,Iamvery awareofwearables.Manyfarmsback homewouldbeusingcollarsandthe researchbehindthisisextremelygood. ThewayRob Turney,thefarmowner, and Ithoughtaboutitwas,‘therewasno pointin fightingtechnology,itiscoming in’. We mightaswellbeinnovativeand understanditasearlyaswecantogain thatcoupleofpercentwhichiskey.”

“Hereweare today!Thecollarshave been areallygreatsuccess.Our return rate atthat first21dayswasextremelygood. We haveseen averysteadyfalloff inthose numbersofcowscomingbackonheat whichis averygoodsign. We canseefrom thedatathatweareinseminatingthemat

therighttime,nottooearlyorlateandthe cowsareholdingontothepregnancy.”

“Wehavefoundthecollardatahas been arealhelpforyoungeranimals.One weaknessoftheindustryisthatcowsfall outofthesystemfartooearly,andweare notgettingourcowsbackincalfasearly asweshould.Thedatafromthecollarsis givinguseverybitofhealthadvantage.If wethinkofthecowasanathlete,weare asking acowtocalvedowninAugustand demandinghertogetbackincalfbythe firstweekinNovember.Itisnotgivingthe animalthatmuchtimetohealand recover. Withthesecollars,wearedoingourbest toensureasfewcowsarefallingoutofthe systemaspossible.Goingforwardthat’s ourgoal –sustainability.”

Allthecowbehaviourdata,andheatand healthinsights,areintegratedthroughthe DatamarsDataLivestockCloudSoftware. Barryseesallthisviathephoneapp.

“Ruminationforexample,thecowmight physicallylookokaybutinsideitsfour stomachsmightnotactuallybeworking 100percent.Shemightbelosingenergy throughthat.Itisquiteeasythentosay, thatcowisnotfullyright.Especially overcalvingtime,thedatagivesyouthe opportunitytobeproactive.Thosesmall thingscanmake ahugedifferencetothe wholeimpactofyourseason.”

“Theothermassivebenefitwithcollars, asitiswitheveryotherindustryinNew Zealand,isstaff.It’sa massivethingforus. Thisyearhasbeenhard,butwehaven’t

required someoneonthevetstand.With collarsyouaresaving aunitbecause you don’tneeda secondpersonintheshed. Thatmakes ahugedifference. Iamsaving twohoursofeveryday. Instead, Iam outsidemakingjudgementcalls,actually

managingthefarmwhich Iampaidtodo.”

HeadofDatamarsLivestockSmart FarmingforAustralasia VerneAtmoreis pleasedwiththe resultsfarmershaveseen withtheirActiveCollar Tagbutisquickto pointoutit’sjustthestart.

“We’reexcitedtoshowcaseournew automated WalkOver Weighingsystemsat thiscomingFieldays.Thesolutionincludes theFlexiMobile4000Cforin-paddock automatedweighingandtheDairyWOW 4000Cforin-sheddailyherdweighing.”

Visitthe DatamarsLivestockSmart Farmingteamatthe Fieldays(sitesF46 &F48)to findoutmoreabouthow TruTest ActiveCollarsandthenewWOW technologycanhelpyoutransformyour performance.

Prehistoric plantings come to Fieldays

The Minginui Nursery site at Fieldays is positioned directly opposite the Forestry Hub and has a range of revegetation and landscaping plants.

Nursery manager Matt Jackman will be on site with advice for a range of different planting scenarios from helping with the successful establishment of ancient podocarps like rimu, totara, kahikatea and miro from seedlings to wetland plantings.

Surrounded by the prehistoric Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation

Park, described by conservationist David Bellamy as “one of the best Mesozoic plant communities remaining on Earth”, Minginui Nursery was formed out of the unique relationship between the forest, Ngāti Whare and Crown research institute Scion – unifying nature, Māori and science.

It’s a purely native tree nursery specialising in re-vegetation plants. They’ve predominantly been propagated from seeds sourced from the Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne

Conservation Park, but there is capability to eco-source from other regions.

It ensures the plants are carefully nurtured in a series of polyhouses, before being hardened for around six months in the tough outdoor environment.

Customers all over Aotearoa can obtain native plants for riparian planting, retiring land to natives or simply planting in the household garden.

With the ability to grow over one million plants a year Minginui Nursery is able to supply pure, coldhardy natives on a commercial scale with orders delivered right to the customer’s door.

It’s dedicated to using rapid propagation technology and the Ngāti Whare unique bond and understanding to build a new sustainable indigenous forestry industry in New Zealand.

Nature, Māori and Crown Research Institute bring native plants from the Mesozoic era for re-vegetation.

TEAM AT

In-shed

Investing to buy a farm is more than a Kernel of a good idea

Young Te Awamutu farmer is learning the ropes – and investing for the future.

Like many young farmers, Josh Storey wants to buy a farm and, at just 23, he’s several years and a few million dollars away.

But if you bump into him at Fieldays and have a chat, you’ll probably agree – he’ll get it done.

He’s worked on the family dairy farm in Te Awamutu for three years with his partner Bailey, helping manage 550 dairy cattle and its 183 hectares.

“I started farming and have never looked back,” he says. “Working outside is great

for my mental health and, since we’re living on the farm, there’s no commute. I’m the sixth generation and both my parents and grandparents live there too.”

He’s also saving, investing and working as much as possible to make buying his own farm possible.

“But only about half of farm ownership is financial. You have to have the knowledge to run a farm effectively and efficiently, so I’m working away to learn that.”

He’s also living cheaply. The perks of farm living such as free rent, meat and firewood are allowing him to save and invest around 60 per cent of his income.

“We had this extra money we needed

to do something with, so we got stuck into investing,” he says. “Kernel Wealth’s long-term approach really resonated with me, as did their low fee structure. I also met the people behind the company and they’re fantastic.”

For long-term financial goals like buying a farm, Kernel’s high growth fund is a good option to consider. It’s a diversified basket of individual shares, with a low 0.25 per cent management fee and can all be managed online, anywhere, anytime.

KiwiSaver is another important part of the puzzle. Ensuring you’re in the right fund can have a significant impact on future value. Kernel offers a broad range of low-fee investment options including a

cash, balanced and high growth fund.

“If you’re young and you want to reach big goals, you need to sit down, run the numbers and own investments across several asset classes,” says Storey.

He’s also bought cattle and property and believes time is the secret ingredient: “If you’ve got goals that are five, 10, 15 and 20 years away, the effect that compounding returns have is incredible.

“But at the end of the day there’s more to life than money. So it’s great that I can set and forget my Kernel funds and spend my time doing the stuff I enjoy.”

Kernel Wealth will be at site RM31 in the Rural Living Tent

Josh Storey and partner Bailey have big future goals in view.

Pinnacle programme finds new leaders

Hyundai’s “Future Positive” campaign also marks moves to help decarbonisation.

Hyundai New Zealand has been a longstanding partner of the New Zealand National Fieldays Society and continues to forge a loyal following among rural New Zealanders.

From its partnership with Hyundai Country Calendar to connecting with everyday Kiwis in rural and urban New Zealand, Hyundai is leading the way with New Zealand’s largest range of lowemission vehicles – including Electric

Vehicles (EV), Plug-in Hybrids (PHEV), Hybrids and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV). Hyundai also brought in the first hydrogen-powered car and hydrogen fuel cell truck to New Zealand.

The company is also committed to investing in a more sustainable future, as showcased by the Hyundai Pinnacle Programme which is designed to empower Kiwi youth to become global and community leaders.

The Hyundai Pinnacle Programme takes 20 young people every year – and has done for nearly 20 years – helping them develop into leaders across diverse areas from

the arts and sciences to sports, business, environment, agriculture, and politics.

Hyundai’s recent campaign, titled Future Positive, expresses Hyundai New Zealand’s commitment to developing future leaders while also playing a pivotal role in helping to de-carbonise New Zealand.

The programme is designed to equip young participants with the skills and tools to help them excel in their field of interest and empower them to create innovative solutions that will help mitigate some of the globe’s biggest problems.

The Pinnacle Programme is just one example of Hyundai New Zealand’s

Come and see us at Fieldays® for a deal as Good as Gold.

commitment to a positive future, its vehicles are another. Its growing range of electric, hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicles provides Kiwis with even more options to help reduce New Zealand’s carbon emissions and their impact on the environment.

Check out Hyundai at National Fieldays to meet some of the Hyundai Pinnacle students, learn more about their vehicle range, while also getting the first look at the IONIQ 6 (the latest EV in Hyundai’s IONIQ BEV range). In the hydrogen area NZ’s first hydrogen truck, XCIENT FCEV, will be on show and NEXO, Hyundai’s hydrogen-powered SUV, a prototype mobile hydrogen generator and the H2 outreach team from Otago University.

The new Hyundai hybrid range (Kona, Tucson and Santa Fe) will be on show with Hyundai’s leading range of SUVs, N performance range and vans and Hyundai trucks, including the Mighty Range, the all-new Pavise, and the company’s first electric Mighty truck.

Whether you need a family SUV, an innovative electric vehicle or a trusty workmate, there is a Hyundai for every Kiwi lifestyle. We have exclusive Fieldays Good as Gold Deals available across the range. Come and visit us at site W7 for a free barista coffee and to find the Hyundai that’s right for you. Good as Gold deals also available at your local Hyundai dealership.

The importance of innovation

Vodafone is proud to be returning to Fieldays as a principal partner – and is passionate about unlocking the magic of technology to create a more awesome Aotearoa.

Together with Farmside, its rural broadband partner, it can connect New Zealanders through a range of products and services. Those living rurally – often far away from neighbours, friends, family and suppliers – need the ability to stay connected, so technology takes on even greater importance.

Vodafone is also proud to be an Innovations sponsor, providing free wifi to all Fieldays visitors, who can switch on the wifi when they arrive for the best coverage.

If they visit the Vodafone/Farmside stand, at site PE44-PD51 in the Pavilion, there will be a team of retail, small – and medium-sized business (SME), Internet of Things ( IoT) and network specialists on its stand to support the rural community. Whether it’s personal or business needs, for mobile or broadband – Vodafone is there to help.

Visitors can also learn about

the evolution of connectivity and telecommunications in rural New Zealand. There will be an interactive, digital walkthrough that takes viewers on this journey.

Participants will have the opportunity to travel back in time, explore options in the present and get a glimpse of the possibilities in the future. The phases

showcase solutions and options across broadband and mobile, IoT and old school tech like landlines and dial-up internet. Visitors can also spin the wheel for their chance to win a great prize.

Over the past few years, the world has changed how we live, work, play and connect. Vodafone has been changing too, as it’s been busy building a faster, safer, secure and more reliable network for Aotearoa New Zealand. The Smart Network is here to keep us all connected.

Vodafone is also proud to be awarded the best mobile network in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2022, independently tested by global leader in mobile testing, umlaut.

Vodafone is changing in early 2023 to One NZ. Three years ago, it bought the Vodafone business back to be run by New Zealanders for New Zealanders – which means it will have even more money to invest in its networks and technology solutions for its customers in New Zealand.

Vodafone offers a glimpse of the future in their Fieldays stand.

Whether it’s personal or business needs, for mobile or broadband – Vodafone is there to help. Visitors can also learn about the evolution of connectivity and telecommunications in rural New Zealand. There will be an interactive, digital walk-through that takes viewers on this journey.

Find out more about your responsibilities as a drinking water supplier

Taumata Arowai is the new water services regulator for Aotearoa New Zealand, we’re here to help make sure everyone has access to safe and reliable drinking water every day.

The Water Services Act 2021 provides a new regulatory approach and introduces some new responsibilities for drinking water suppliers.

If you supply water to someone other than your own household or get drinking water supplied by someone else – come chat with the Taumata Arowai team at this year’s Fieldays about what the new Water Services Act 2021 could mean for you.

We will provide information and guidance to help you to understand your obligations if you’re supplying drinking water and what you will need to do (and timeframes) to become a registered drinking water supplier.

There is no need to be concerned about the registration process. Owners will have up to three years to register their supplies (November 2025), and up to six years to comply with the new Drinking Water Standards and Rules (November 2028).

Me kōrero | Let’s talk

Taumata Arowai will be at National Fieldays this year. Come visit us at site HWO-1 outside the Hauora Health and Wellbeing hub. We’d love to meet you and answer any questions you might have.

Find out more about Taumata Arowai at taumataarowai.govt.nz

Wai ora. Tangata ora. Healthy water. Healthy people.

Getting to Fieldays

Plan your journey.

Free Buses

Catch any Hamilton city bus or a regional bus from seven participating stations to the Hamilton Transport Centre then straight to Fieldays. Regional buses include; Raglan, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Paeroa, Te Aroha, Morrinsville and Huntly.

To use the free BUSIT services a valid 2022 Fieldays ticket must be presented. Visit busit.co.nz or phone 0800 205 305 for more information and regional bus timetables.

Park ‘n Ride

Park at The Base Hamilton or the BMX Club Milton Street, Cambridge or isite Te Awamutu, and catch a bus directly to Mystery Creek. Buses will be leaving approximately every 30 minutes from 8am.

Parking

Parking at Fieldays is free and is open from 5.30am – 10pm. To avoid queues we recommend arriving nice and early. We do our best to get you in and out of car parks as fast as possible but due to high volume of traffic, there may be some delays.

Helicopter

There is a designated helicopter landing zone beside the Waikato River jetty (near Gate 7). Our preferred supplier is Helicorp. Information on arranging flights can be viewed found on their website helicorp. co.nz or contact Helicorp on 07 843 3447.

By Boat

Avoid the traffic and travel by boat. Visit camjet.co.nz for details and to book.

And now...a new way to combat farm thieves

Farmgate’s smart new barrier technology locks the door on thieves.

Farmers can try out a new way of deterring thieves for free at Fieldays.

They can simply call into Farmgate’s stand, download their app – and they’ll receive a mock Stolen Vehicle Alert on their phone to experience how the system works.

With rural crime on the rise in New Zealand, it’s estimated that over half of all farmers have been the victim of theft, burglary or another crime. It’s also estimated that over 60 per cent of those incidents take place in a stolen vehicle, usually passing through the farm’s front entrance.

But the Farmgate systems stops rural crime in its tracks, says Andrew Sing, managing director. It combines smart tech, cameras and a physical barrier arm which all work together, putting farmers fully back in control of who gets onto their property and who doesn’t.

“Until now, rural entrances have been largely open and unmonitored, leaving farms exposed to unwanted visitors,” Sing says.

The Farmgate system lets farmers track every vehicle entering or exiting their

farm through its app. The barrier arm will open for authorised vehicles, such as milk tankers or those used by the farmer.

“But if any vehicle isn’t recognised, then the barrier comes down, the farmer is notified, and they can deal with it accordingly.”

The Farmgate system accesses the New Zealand Police stolen vehicle register, which means farmers are notified immediately if there’s a stolen vehicle in their area.

“We call this our FarmCOP service,” Sing says, “and the app is free for anyone so you don’t even need a Farmgate system installed – although it does help.”

Farmgate is supported by the Vodafone IoT Managed Connectivity Platform which gives visibility and control of devices virtually anywhere in New Zealand. It can track the location of any SIM, alert the user to unusual activity, produce reports on performance and data usage, activate new SIMs and manage them throughout their life cycle, making it a very efficient solution for rural New Zealanders.

Every property is different, so the Farmgate system can be tailored directly to what’s needed.

“It’s more of a theft deterrent system rather than a security system,” Sing says.

“Make it difficult for a thief to gain access and they’ll move on soon enough. It’s just a smarter way to keep you and yours safer and sounder.”

Farmgate can help make sure farms and vehicles are well secured.

Be prepared for delays. Keep snacks and water with you to keep your energy levels up and stay hydrated.

TUNE IN ON DEMAND, 24/7

Fieldays TV provides a highly engaging mix of content:

discussions,

speakers,

chefs, and heartwarming stories of local people in the

industries.

Security via thermal imaging

Thermal imaging optics are the latest proven technology for better security, pest eradication, livestock management and rural fire prevention.

Advanced Optics have been supplying Pulsar night vision and thermal imaging optics throughout New Zealand for over 10 years to a range of users including Coastguard NZ, Search and Rescue, the Department of Conservation, Ministry for Primary Industries, pest controllers and farmers. Pulsar thermal imagers are New Zealand’s leading thermal imaging brand, with a range of thermal optics that include monoculars, bioculars and riflescopes.

A Pulsar thermal imager forms an image using a sensor that captures minute amounts of heat radiated by all objects.

Warmer objects, people for instance, stand out boldly amongst their surroundings at distances of up to 2km in total darkness.

Thermal imagers are also useful in the daylight, especially when spotting animals and people that are obscured by light foliage.

Being able to “see” unwelcome guests anywhere on the farm, especially at night, is a big help to security-conscious farmers.

Portable equipment can follow someone as they run for cover, for example, offering safety to farmers as they can’t be seen. And there’s increased value when compared with fixed security systems.

Christine Stewart-Corke, Advanced Optics’ Managing Director says, “Our technology is incredibly useful to farmers, especially to identify poachers and thieves, as well as for shooting pests such as rabbits, pigs, wallabies, possums, deer and even rats. Livestock can be monitored during birthing without disturbance”.

One farmer, buying a unit to help eradicate feral pigs, found that during a night time demonstration the salesman spotted cows in a paddock that was supposed to be empty. A few had escaped their own paddock to the farmer’s surprise.

Night vision equipment, which amplifies ambient light, can be a cheaper option than the thermal imaging equipment, and

is effective for eradication of pests such as rabbits at night.

“It’s like using a spotlight only the animals can’t see it.”

Advanced Optics is bringing its full range of equipment to Fieldays, along with its team of experienced staff, who will be demonstrating it and advising on the best products for farmers’ particular needs and situations.

Modern technology means more useful tools for farming and rural activities, providing a way for them to be more efficient and profitable.

Foot and mouth, wilding pines and wallabies

The work of the Ministry for Primary Industries will be on show at Fieldays.

The diverse and complex work of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), boosting the economic and environmental performance of New Zealand’s food and fibre sector, will be on show at Fieldays.

A central focus this year will be MPI’s On-Farm Support services. It’s working, alongside the sector, to ensure farmers and growers have the information and support they need to navigate requirements around climate, water and the environment – so they can continue to innovate and thrive.

The importance of farm animal welfare will also be a focus, with visitors to the MPI Fieldays site asked to participate in an interactive challenge to help protect agricultural animals from getting

too hot or too cold in this country’s changeable climate.

Biosecurity is a key focus for MPI and this year’s outbreak of foot-and – mouth disease (FMD) in Indonesia prompted an intensification of its work at the border.

All New Zealanders have a role to play to ensure Aotearoa remains free of FMD, and MPI’s Fieldays site will provide up-to-date guidance on preparedness and vigilance over the risks posed.

Protecting Aotearoa from the impacts of wilding pines and invasive wallabies is another key focus. The work of the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme to prevent infestations from overwhelming our unique landscapes will be on show, along with guidance on planting the right tree in the right place.

Biosecurity New Zealand will draw attention to the signs and impact of

wallabies and will emphasise how everyday actions by the public can help stop their spread.

MPI works to create a thriving and sustainable future for rural communities. An update on the Fit for a Better World roadmap to 2030, working to accelerate our food and fibre economic potential, will illustrate the progress being made towards reaching its goals. Included will be up-to-date figures of investment through the Sustainable Food and Fibres Future (SFF) fund.

Resources from Fisheries New Zealand will enable recreational fishers to take responsible action to safeguard our fish populations. Tools, including the free NZ Fishing Rules App, will help fishers to ensure there will be fish today, tomorrow and for generations to come.

Look out for MPI’s popular temporary tattoos and the New Zealand Food Safety fridge sorting game, both making another appearance at Fieldays for younger attendees.

Tractor range suits diverse farming needs

Flexibility and reliability are standard across the Farmall B Series.

Thanks to smart design, rugged construction and reliable horsepower, the Case IH Farmall B Series tractors deliver tonnes of performance in a compact size. Designed to suit a wide range of farming needs, the Farmall B Series provides flexibility and reliability for farming customers across New Zealand.

Their 3 and 4 cylinder diesel engines provide horsepower ranging from 23 to 57, so you’re sure to find a model that fits the needs of your operation.

These tractors feature gear or hydrostatic transmissions, a comfortable

operator seat with ergonomic controls and a range of front-end loader options.

So, whether you put one of these tractors to work on a dairy farm, livestock operation, small farm, or need it for groundskeeping and landscaping, you can be sure you’ll have a machine that works as hard as you do.

Seamus McCarthy, Case IH Australia/ New Zealand product manager for midhorsepower and compact tractors, says the Farmall B series suits diverse needs across a wide range of farming applications.

“The Farmall B Series tractors have

premium features such as independent electro-hydraulic PTO, deluxe 3-point hitches, a range of transmissions and CAB or ROPS configurations, leaving the competition behind. With plenty of leg room and tilt steering wheels, comfort is a key feature of these tractors, too.”

“These machines have the power and performance Farmall owners have come to expect, but in a very cost-effective package.

”From the heavyweight Farmall 60B with its turbocharged engine and an array of impressive features such as two sets of hydraulic remotes and three-speed PTO

as standard, to the smaller 20 and 25B, designed for pulling trailers and light implements, mowing and front loader work; the Series is bound to suit whatever task you have in mind.”

McCarthy says the Farmall B Series offers value and productivity benefits across broad applications. with maximum efficiency and a minimum of fuss.

For more information visit your local dealer or Farmall B Series Compact Tractors | Case IH

The nasty bug that hits farmers & others who visit farms

Northland GP and dairy farmer Tanya Quin is passionate about looking out for the health and wellbeing of farmers and those who visit their properties.

At Fieldays, she’ll be urging those in contact with livestock and wildlife who develop flu-like symptoms with a ‘good going’ fever of 38 degrees C to visit their doctor and suggest they could have leptospirosis.

She and her husband run a 180ha farm at Okaihau, milking a 360-strong crossbred herd. When Northland experienced a spike in leptospirosis cases in 2016 and 2017, Dr Quin – with a foot in both camps – established a working relationship with the Massey University Leptospirosis Research Group.

She questioned local farmers who were

affected, contributing that information to the university’s Emerging Pathways and Sources for leptospirosis study. She’ll be talking about its outcomes at Fieldays at Massey University’s “Know Lepto” stand.

“I also want to create conversations and to encourage farm kids to be doctors,” she says. “There is clear evidence that medical students of rural origin are more likely to practice rurally – so why not our farm kids?”

Recently there’s been an increase in New Zealand in the Ballum and Tarassovi leptospirosis strains that are not included in animal vaccinations. This has meant more hospitalisations, with an average stay of four nights – and one in five of those patients has needed ICU care. There’s also been an increase of leptospirosis

cases in older people, women and those in occupations not closely in touch with livestock.

The Massey research highlights increased risks to farm technicians, stock agents, farm visitors who help out and those carrying out pest control. Being exposed to rodents as well as having uncovered, broken skin, are identified in the study as clear risks for contracting leptospirosis.

Half of the cases studied were still unwell at least eight months after they first became ill, with symptoms such as fatigue,

myalgia, headaches, light sensitivity, trouble focusing and urinary issues.

The research shows reducing contact with animal urine and water that may be contaminated with urine is important, as livestock and pests such as rats and possums carry leptospirosis, shedding it in their urine.

So care should be taken hosing down milking shed yards, avoiding flood water, covering cuts and scratches and controlling pests – and never eat, drink or smoke when working with animals.

The safest ute still a beaut

Isuzu D-Max continues to turn heads – even in the cities.

Kiwi farmers and tradies swear by their utes – and their urban cousins are equally passionate about the trusted tool of trade, with the Isuzu D-Max a popular choice for many.

Whilst the latest generation Isuzu D-Max has been on the market for two years, it remains one of the newest utes on the market with a reputation for being tougher, safer and more powerful than ever thanks to a 3.5 tonne towing capacity, a 5-star ANCAP rating and a new 4JJ3 engine – traits shared by the impressive seven-seater MU-X.

Adding to the D-Max legacy is the fact it was voted NZ4WD Magazine’s ‘Ute of the Year’ for 2021, the first time this model has won the coveted award and just a year after launch in New Zealand.

The D-Max is powered by a 3-litre turbo-diesel engine and, with four variants and 15 configurations, there are plenty of options to suit all drivers.

The D-Max range starts with the workhorse LX which is as ute as they come, thanks to models spanning the Single Cab Chassis, Space Cab Chassis and Double Cab Ute bodies. Then there is a step up to the LS-M – available in Double Cab only –which gives drivers the LX’s hard-wearing traits with a heap of upgrades.

The LS Double Cab and Space Cab Ute are great value for money without

compromising on practicality and capability – intrinsic characteristics Kiwi ute owners want.

Then there is there the flagship D-Max X-Terrain with a heap of treats inside and out, retaining a rugged look to go with the renowned D-Max performance.

Having been judged the safest ute on the NZ market, the D-Max remains the first ute subject to the stringent testing and rating criteria introduced by Australasia’s leading independent vehicle safety authority.

In the official ANCAP statement announcing the D-Max’s maximum 5-star safety rating, ANCAP commended Isuzu for ensuring high-level safety features, technologies and performance across the entire range.

The Isuzu D-Max also made top three in the light commercial vehicle category in the AA Driven NZ Car of the Year 2021 awards.

Globally, the new generation D-Max has won numerous awards;

• 2021 Drive Car of the Year – Dual Cab Ute (X-Terrain)

• 2021 Business Vans Best Pick-up

• 2021 Pick-Up Of The Year by 4x4 Magazine

• Best-in-Class Pickup Truck in C! Magazine’s Awards.

The full D-Max and MU-X range can be viewed at National Fieldays at Isuzu Utes new site W8, where visitors can also enter a competition to win an Isuzu D-Max.

“Know Lepto” stand at Fieldays has vital information on leptospirosis and what not to do.

Dr Tanya Quin is looking forward to conversations with farmers, farm visitors and kids.

Climate change the biggest challenge

Pāmu aiming to have all farms Toitūcertified by 2024.

Climate change is one of the greatest long-term challenges for the food and fibre sector – so Pāmu is working hard on ensuring sustainable farming practices are put in place across its portfolio.

Pāmu is the largest farming group in New Zealand, managing 112 farms of over 364,000 hectares. They mainly run dairy cows and other livestock and in 2021 they contributed close to 0.75m gross metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, while sequestering around 0.33m metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Chief executive Mark Leslie says it’s now planning all the necessary steps to reduce emissions substantially as well as ensuring its business is resilient in the face of a changing climate.

“Along with complying with all legislative requirements, our work programme for 2022/23 will set sciencebased targets for emissions reduction,

on emissions and their management.”

This adds to work already going on, including the Dairy-Beef Progeny Test and the AgResearch/Focus Genetics research project on genetic advances for loweremitting sheep. Half of Pamu farms will be operating to Toitū certification by June next year, and the remainder will be on board in the year after that.

To achieve Toitū carbonreduce certification, each farm must measure all greenhouse gas emissions required under the international standard and develop plans to manage and reduce them continually. The emissions are measured and independently verified annually.

“We are committed to being a sector leader when it comes to farming and environmental innovation and being a role-model for other agriculture businesses starting their carbon reduction journey,” Leslie says.

“The geographic diversity and range of our livestock farming systems enables Pāmu to trial mitigations and

have each of our farms certified by 2024.”

Pāmu sustainability manager, Sam Bridgman, says it’s already made considerable carbon reduction

We’ve also increased our productivity practices over time to produce more with fewer animals.”

It’s also started business-wide training

How the cloud can help farms grow

Farming and agriculture have significantly changed over the years with new technology accelerating the pace of innovation. Today farmers can access satellite, mobile, cloud computing, data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning services to automate manual tasks, operate more efficiently and drive innovation and growth.

New Zealand’s agriculture technology sector (agtech) is already recognised as one of the top 10 global ecosystems, as measured by the Startup Genome: Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2019, with 20 per cent of very early stage start-up investment going to the agtech and new food sector since 2013.

At Fieldays, Amazon Web Services (AWS) will showcase the latest cloud technology, and show how this is being used today to drive innovation and growth across operations. It supports farmers, growers, ecologists and other customers

Every one of hundreds of actions taking place each day create data. When harvested and analysed, it provides a wealth of information farmers can use to make better decisions.

in the agricultural industry by providing cloud-based services to help them grow.

One such area is the use of data. Every one of hundreds of actions taking place each day create data. When harvested

and analysed, it provides a wealth of information farmers can use to make better decisions.

Much of this is brought to life by innovative agtech start-ups – like Halter, a Kiwi company with a system that combats labour shortages, increases pasture utilisation and improves animal health and performance by enabling farmers to remotely shift, virtually fence and proactively monitor the health of their cows. The system, they say, unlocks the way to becoming among the most productive and sustainable farms.

Another example is Levno, which has developed a suite of Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring devices, providing edge computing needed to farm smarter, run more efficient operations and improve productivity.

For over 15 years, AWS has been the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platforms. In New Zealand for more than nine years, it has offices in Auckland and Wellington and more than 150 staff, including dedicated agtech specialists.

Last year it announced a $7.5 billion investment to build an AWS Region (data centres) in Aotearoa to support local cloud computing needs and digital transformation acceleration.

It’s continually expanded its services to support virtually any cloud workload and now has more than 200 fully featured services for compute, storage, databases, networking, analytics, machine learning AI and IoT, mobile, security, hybrid, virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR), media, and application development, deployment and management.

AWS will share stories of how its customers are leveraging technology along with Vodafone in the Innovation Hub.

–Accountant, musician and School Bus driver

in the

Hi-tech is transforming modern farming.

A wealth of information can be harvested and analysed for use by farmers.

Innovation brings greater rewards at Fieldays this year

Innovators will receive an additional boost at Fieldays this year – with Sprout Agritech sponsoring the Early-Stage Innovation Award.

Sprout chief executive, Gil Meron, says the awards are a perfect fit for New Zealand’s leading agrifood tech accelerator and investor: “We’ve seen fantastic Kiwi innovations showcased each year.”

“As an agtech or foodtech innovator all you really want is to get your idea or product out there, and to make your mark on the future health of the planet and its people.”

Sprout had real start-up and growth experience and was focused on putting founders first, he says. Established in 2015, it’s since been “going to the trenches” with agtech and foodtech

entrepreneurs to help them build great teams and global businesses.

It does this by running a 12-week accelerator twice a year and making up to $1 million of investments in startups which are solving some of the food value chain’s toughest global problems. It provides cross-promotion and a pathway for Innovation Award entrants, offering mentoring, support and guidance to category winners.

Meron is one of the Innovation Award judges, providing the opportunity for others to be able to network and discuss upcoming innovations with Sprout.

There are another two new Innovation Awards’ sponsors, Blender Design and Soda Inc who will join returning partners Vodafone, Massey University, Amazon Web

Services (AWS), Gait International, NZME and King St.

As well as the Early Stage Innovation Award, there are also prototype and growth and scale categories, reflecting the stages in the innovation lifecycle. This year the Fieldays Young Innovator of the Year Award is doubling in value to $2000.

Last year Auckland company Cropsy Technologies, took out both the Early Stage and Young Innovators awards at Fieldays and competed a Sprout accelerator programme.

Co-founders Leila Deljkovic and Ali Alomari both graduated as computer system engineers from Auckland University in 2018. They quickly saw a

gap in the information vineyard managers could work with when it came to crop performance.

They set up Cropsy with Callaghan Innovation funding, with the hardware they developed using high accuracy artificial intelligence (AI) to allow growers to monitor every one of their plants.

A compact vision system can be attached to the front of a tractor, with the real-time data it collects allowing early detection of disease clusters and dying or missing plants, as well as providing accurate fruit counts.

Earlier this year Cropsy successfully completed an oversubscribed $1.5 million capital raising programme.

NATIONAL’S COMMITMENTS TO YOU

Sprout crop up again with awards showcasing Kiwi ingenuity.

Christopher Luxon Leader of the National Party

Put this message on your Radar

Comedian fronts campaign to keep us healthy by feeding our animals healthily.

New Zealand Feed Manufacturers Association (NZFMA) has partnered with one of the country’s most famous faces to front its latest campaign promoting FeedSafe NZ accredited animal feed –Te Radar.

The top comedian and broadcaster is a genuine advocate for quality animal feed. A lifestyle block owner with a passion for farming, he was excited by the opportunity to help raise awareness for the FeedSafe NZ accreditation – so stock and animal owners can have confidence in the quality of what they are buying and feeding their animals.

“Animal health and welfare is something I feel strongly about, so the opportunity to partner with the NZFMA to help spread the word about their quality assurance

maybe just keeping some backyard chooks, the aim is for the animals to live well and be healthy: “What you feed them is an essential part of that.”

Michael Brooks, executive director of

man of Fieldays TV, has hosted a panel at Fieldays events we’ve been part of, and is the MC of FMG Young Farmer of the Year,” he says.

The key purpose of the campaign

Te Radar is presenting two videos providing more information about the benefits of locally produced stock feed and the FeedSafe NZ programme. They’ll be showcased on the NZFMA website and shown at Fieldays. Te Radar will also be part of the FeedSafe stand there and host a feed-related panel discussion on Fieldays TV.

He says buying from a FeedSafe NZaccredited manufacturer guarantees feed

your true nature

“If we are what we eat, and for many of us that includes animals and what they produce, then what animals eat should also be something we care about.”

The importance of a good night’s sleep

The sleep supporter found in many rural medical cabinets.

NZ Natural Formulas’ products have been finding a ready home in rural medicine cabinets for over 25 years, with a range of homeopathic sprays formulated to help relieve the many side effects of a busy, active lifestyle.

In April this year the company launched an additional spray, Sleep, designed to calm busy brains (often caused by stress) and support a good, restorative sleep throughout the night.

While Sleep may be an obvious addition to the company’s range of products, director Amanda Dunlop, pictured says it wasn’t until Covid-19 slowed demand that the company had the time to carefully develop the formulation.

Like all their products, she says Sleep is safe for all ages including babies, doesn’t interfere with other medications taken by older adults and has a five-year shelf life. A 25ml spray bottle is unlikely to last that long, but their 100ml refill can then be purchased.

“Ideally, it should be taken before bed to help your system calm down ready for sleep – and help over-excited children settle down before bedtime,” says Dunlop.

“But, because this is a gentle formula, you may find yourself waking up again if the stress is severe. In that case, take another dose and you should be able to get back to sleep.”

Dunlop is a qualified classical homeopath who started the company in 1995, specifically to help bodies and minds cope with the effects of physical and mental exertion.

In 1994, high performance athlete Geoff Hunt needed help with muscle cramps

during gruelling eco-challenge races – including the South Island’s Coast to Coast. Over the following years, Dunlop was able to formulate a range of products, not just for cramp.

It was soon obvious the market was a lot wider than that, with possible application for everyone with an active lifestyle and who wanted support to maintain it for as long as possible.

Her range is suitable for use in situations where the body is being placed under stress, often causing mental strain too. This makes the formulations suitable for everyone, she says, including farmers, pregnant women, corporate travellers and those recovering from injury or illness.

“People from all walks of life tell me how my products have eased their pain, and offered relief and comfort,” she says.

“I’m proud to make all our products ethically, and right here in New Zealand.”

“Ideally, it should be taken before bed to help your system calm down ready for sleep.”

Keeping a watch on valuable water

Over a quarter of all water taken for use on farms is lost – not a figure that is well known but is more than a little shocking.

Since its inception, Waterwatch has been addressing that and other issues, paving the way in sustainable water management across agricultural and environmental sectors in New Zealand and Australia.

Launched in 2018, the Dunedin-based company entered the agritech space with the goal of making water management easy, accessible and reliable which led to the development of the Waterwatch tank monitor.

After four years, during which it’s continually exhibited at Fieldays, Waterwatch has manufactured and supplied more than 3500 water level monitors across Australasia. The flagship 4G Cellular tank monitor is used by farmers and councils to track water levels in remote tanks.

Users can monitor their water from anywhere on or off the property and manage entire schemes from a single app. In 2020, this monitor received the digital innovation award at the virtual National Fieldays.

This year the Waterwatch team has

also released a WiFi version of their tank monitor for townies to track residential water usage on lifestyle blocks and at holiday homes.

Valuing simplicity, the team at Waterwatch believe tank management shouldn’t be stressful or time consuming. Co-founders Jesse Teat and Mark Butler both grew up in rural New Zealand and know firsthand the impact water has on farming and horticultural productivity.

“We know that nearly 26 per cent of water taken for use on farms is lost due to leaking pipes and infrastructure,” says Teat.

“We also know that keeping tabs on water systems can be a big time sink for farmers. With Waterwatch, we want to tackle those problems to reduce water loss, improve animal welfare and give farmers more time to focus on jobs that generate more returns.”

Not only will tank monitoring save farmers from stress this summer, but it will relieve the time pressure of checking tanks.

“Many of our customers were driving more than 20km every day in the summer to check various tanks and troughs across

multiple properties,” says Teat. “Being able to do this from their phones has made them realise how quickly the technology pays for itself.”

Coming into the busy summer months with drought expected across much of the country, Waterwatch has partnered with Farmlands so its tank monitors are now available in all of its 80 retail stores.

Waterwatch will be at site J21 where marketing manager, Gracey Griffin, says it’s looking forward to catching up with new and existing customers.

Forgotten part of NZ fast becoming a “must-do”

‘Land that time forgot’ makes an appearance at Fieldays & reminds us of its charm.

The Forgotten World is the place history left behind – but its quiet, central North Island is gaining popularity and fast becoming one of New Zealand’s iconic must-do, bucket-list adventure activities.

Forgotten World Adventures offers a number of ways in which to explore the area’s back-country ghost towns and untouched New Zealand landscapes by air, boat and rail. Visitors are sure to meet friendly locals and artisans along the way as local guides help connect them to the past and present, with stories set in the King Country – which is rich in culture and pioneering history.

The company has been in business for over 10 years, with its signature tours on cleverly adapted golf carts used to self-drive in a guided tour along 142km of abandoned railway line between Stratford and Okahukura, near Taumarunui (the SOL line).

This railway line took 32 years to complete in the early 1900s and features 24 hand-built tunnels and over 90 unique bridges. It was abandoned in 2009 and

mothballed a year later.

Visitors can get their passports stamped on a day visit or stay overnight and enjoy a drink with the president of the selfproclaimed Republic of New Zealand, Whangamomona, at one of the oldest and most remote hotels in the country.

With its base in Taumarunui, Forgotten World Adventures offers a variety of half

and full day excursions along the track.

There are multi-day tours as well – which might include a helicopter tour and jet boating options along the culturally significant Whanganui River, visiting the Bridge to Nowhere, Jerusalem, Blue Duck Station and Lauren’s Lavender Farm, to name just a few highlights.

A number of tours begin near the

Crop, stock and barrel

southern end of the line in Stratford or Whangamomona, as well as shuttles and car transfer services. Staff will make sure nothing is daunting and everyone gets the best out of their adventure with no stress involved.

Forgotten World Adventures took out the People’s Choice Award at the 2019 New Zealand Tourism Awards, and visitors to its site at Fieldays at PM9C just need to sign up to receive its monthly newsletter to get the chance to experience what it’s all about for themselves.

They’ll be entered into a competition to win a half day adventure for two worth $289 per person which will be drawn on Saturday, December 3.

Visitors are sure to meet friendly locals and artisans along the way as local guides help connect them to the past and present, with stories set in the King Country.

Massey University to show off its research & innovation

education and leadership in pure and applied research, which it undertakes in partnership with industries and the communities it serves.

Massey positions itself as the University of New Zealand, with campuses across three locations, and claims world-leading positions in many academic disciplines and fields of research.

Consistently ranked in the top three per cent of universities worldwide, Massey has become New Zealand’s university of choice for almost 30,000 students every year from more than 100 countries.

Students can study on-campus at Auckland, Palmerston North or Wellington, via distance learning, or a combination of both, changing where and how they study if their circumstances change.

Food & science, agriculture & environment achievements showcased at Fieldays.

Visitors to Massey University’s site at Fieldays are in for a sweet treat, with mini samples of a new vegan ice cream called Kinda being given away.

Kinda has been developed by Massey University student, Mrinali Kumar, who is currently studying towards a Masters in Food Technology. She and her team came up with the innovative ice cream so

Fieldays visitors can have a taste and learn more about what creating a brand-new food product entails.

Mrinali won the Momentum Student Entrepreneur award in this year’s KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards, recognising a highly motivated university student who is making outstanding contributions to business innovation, or who has created one of their own.

Massey’s Food Science and Technology faculty will have staff on site showcasing other innovations within this field. The School of Agriculture and Environment

will showcase Massey’s research into measuring and mitigating surface run-off, supported by a model, which is billed as a must-see when it comes to innovative ways of improving farm sustainability.

Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, was intrigued to learn more about a similar concept on display at last year’s Fieldays.

There will also be academic advisors on hand to help out with any queries about studying, continuing tertiary education or upskilling for chosen careers.

Massey is proud to be internationally recognised for the calibre of its

Massey says its graduates are knowledgeable, creative, visionary, innovative and recognised for their practical nature and ability to get stuck in from the get-go. This reputation and hands-on attitude sets them apart, with their qualifications respected here and overseas.

They’re taught by teachers, lecturers and researchers with strong links within their industries and professional organisations, meaning they graduate with a highly relevant qualification sought after by leading employers.

The Kinda team, from left, Chalita Tapsuri, Mrinali (Milli) Kumar and Jenni Matheson; Right: Milli and Kinda.

How precision agriculture pays off

Kiwi experts say big water savings and 10-20 per cent growth in crop yields possible.

Kiwi farmers and horticulturalists can save and make money by adopting precision agriculture technology from CropX, says its general manager, Eitan Dan, pictured.

And at Fieldays, they’ll be able to see exactly how a Kiwi innovation that started out seven years ago is providing a significant boost for the primary sector.

While CropX’s bread and butter is artificial intelligence (AI) and water irrigation solutions, Dan says the company will also be showcasing solutions and innovations around effluent management, nutrition management and disease management for horticulture.

“We are trying to make the world of

An easy-to-use dashboard, which can be accessed via a mobile and desktop app, delivers advice that integrates data from soil sensors, satellites and crop models. That allows optimal input applications creating significant water, fertiliser, energy and labour savings.

The technology has been validated in the field with over 30 per cent water savings and Dan says: “We have a proven track record of improving yield by 10-20 per cent regardless of the crop.”

While the cost of adopting CropX depends on irrigation, soil type and topography, hundreds of farmers and horticulturalists around New Zealand using the technology swear by it, he says, though there’s still a large, untapped market, particularly in the horticultural sector.

Dan says New Zealand can be “a lab of the world” because it is able to carry out trials a season before the Northern Hemisphere.

“And we have an amazing group of farmers and agronomists wanting to do better for the environment.”

Globally, CropX has brought its solutions to over 10,000 farms growing over 75 different crops. It has also developed strategic collaboration with companies such as John Deere, Reinke Manufacturing and PepsiCo.

CropX is a finalist in the Growth and Scale category in this year’s Innovation Awards, so be sure to check them out in the Innovations Hub

“We

Business networking returns to Fieldays

International Business Centre welcomes range of overseas visitors and delegations.

With the return of international business visitors to Fieldays, the International Business Centre will be living up to its name.

Not only will it offer unique networking opportunities, there’ll also be support on offer for businesses looking to grow both here and internationally.

At the heart of the centre’s experience is the NZ Agritech Story, Powered by Place, which celebrates advanced technology inspired by the connection to the land, delivering results for producers here and around the world.

The centre will welcome a range of international visitors and delegations this year, offering a relaxed and professional space for them to connect with New Zealand businesses in person.

International guests registered with Fieldays will have access to the centre throughout the event.

It’s also a central location for local businesses to make contact with a team of support agencies – at Fieldays to offer

advice, expertise and new connections for the local businesses’ long-term success.

Agencies represented include NZ Trade and Enterprise – Te Taurapa Tūhono (NZTE), Callaghan Innovation, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), the Ministry of Business, Innovation and

Employment (MBIE), Treasury’s NZ Export Credit and the New Zealand Story Group. Callaghan Innovation is hosting a range of activities from the centre, exploring the future of this country’s agritech industry and highlighting the leading-edge technology on show at Fieldays.

This includes the launch of new digital

It’s also a central location for local businesses to make contact with a team of support agencies – at Fieldays to offer advice, expertise and new connections for the local businesses’ long-term success.

resources for the agritech sector, a seminar and tour for agritech businesses exploring remote sensing technologies.

There will also be a seminar and tour for agritech businesses looking to set up here in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and the UK Department for International Trade, with registrations essential by emailing agritech@callaghaninnovation. govt.nz

The International Business Centre is at site M31, on Road M beside the Village Green.

Health checks big drawcard at Fieldays

Extra focus on the brain and mental health & wellbeing this year.

Attend Fieldays – and you could quite possibly save your life or benefit your health.

Mobile Health has provided day surgery for rural New Zealand since 2002 and works in partnership with the National Fieldays Society to run the Hauora Taiwhenua Health and Wellbeing Hub.

“It’s a fantastic four days of innovation, education, and globalisation,” says Mobile Health’s chief executive, Mark Eager.

Since 2017 this has been an informative and interactive centre for rural residents attending Fieldays to learn more about the range of services available to them across a number of providers, and get simple but important health check-ups, all in one place. Some of these assessments include blood pressure tests and tests for melanomas.

A great turnout is expected for Fieldays’ first summer event. Last year, over 33,000 visitors attended the Hub, up from 25,000 visitors in 2019.

This year the Hub has a much a bigger location and 53 partner exhibitors within it, providing free check-ups and advice to visitors – some of which could be

potentially lifesaving.

“We will continue to have a strong emphasis on mental health and wellbeing, along with promoting melanoma checks for early detection – something the farming community often ignores until it’s too late,” Eager says.

He believes the rural sector has bought into its hyper-masculine image for far too long: “People aren’t invincible and it doesn’t help that many support services aren’t immediately available to the rural sector.”

The country was already seeing the result of increased mental stress on farmers before Covid-19 hit, when people who were already isolated became even more so. Their work suffered, as did their businesses’ bottom lines – which only added to the stress.

Eager believes people are hungry for more information on this complex issue and is delighted that 13 more organisations will partner the Hub this year highlighting mental or neurological health. This sector is labelled Flashes of Brilliance, and new partners include specialists in Parkinson’s Disease, epilepsy and dementia.

Dementia Waikato and the Brain Health Research Centre will provide important

awareness and education on neurological conditions. There’ll even be an inflatable brain to walk through, to help people understand just how complex the brain is and how easy it can be for a connection to fail.

Mobile Health operates out of 25 separate rural locations with their mobile surgery travelling the country on a fiveweek cycle, supporting patients as well as rural health practitioners.