South Island Agricultural Field Days

With more than 2,000 shareholders visiting the Farmlands tent in late March, the team of experts, field and retail staff and supplier representatives were kept busy offering advice and recommendations on the latest innovative products.

For Canterbury dairy farmers and Farmlands shareholders Rob and Janet Mangin, getting out and about to events around the country is an integral part of their farm management. Taking time off their 206ha dairy farm in Ashburton to visit events such as the South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) in Kirwee has been part of Rob’s calendar for many years. “We try to get to all of the big events around Canterbury, as well as attending the A&P shows and smaller events or seminars put on within the industry,” Rob says. “The Field Days are really good because they’re always topical and have everything there in one place.” With the environment, health and safety and compliance being front of mind for many farmers, the easy access to expert advice and inventive products is a big drawcard for attendees. “When we’ve got projects going on at the farm, Field Days offers an opportunity to seek out specific technical advice. That advice and support is the main reason I’ll walk into a tent like Farmlands'.” “It’s all about making life easier and safer and you’ve got to really make an effort to see everything to make sure you’re not missing anything that can help you on-farm,” Rob says. The Field Days deals are just a nice add-on for the Mangins, although Janet keeps a careful eye on the purse when Rob is out and about. “I’m always up for a bargain!” Rob says. “At these events you always see products that you’ve never heard about or seen before and they can be the missing piece to make a project so much easier.” The multitude of options available at SIAFD means that the whole 3 days are needed to get around and see all that the industry has to offer. “It’s more than a one-day job and we do often save our purchasing until these events to make sure we are getting the best deal.” The open, inviting nature of the Farmlands tent and having the team of field staff and industry experts from Farmlands Growth and Innovation team available in their bright orange “Know-ItAll” t-shirts was also a winner for Rob. “Having someone come up, say hello and make a genuine enquiry into how your farm is going is what makes you feel valued as a shareholder. A great thing about these events is how social they are, so having that contact with people is very important,” Rob says.

| The Knowledge and Advice Hub gave shareholders a chance to chat with the Farmlands Growth and Innovation Team during Field Days.

| Phil Johnston, Farmlands Agronomist is interviewed by Sarah Perriam from Sarah's Country during the Field Days. | Stacey Cosnett, NRM Nutritionist, Farmlands shareholder Rob Mangin and Sophie Green, Trainee Technical Field Officer, catch up on the latest news at SIAFD.