AgFest creates opportunity for West Coast connections

The Ruralco team is looking forward to renewing and making new connections at this year’s AgFest in Greymouth.

WORDS BY ANITA BODY, IMAGES BY ANNIE STUDHOLME & SUPPLIED

Usually held in the autumn, Covid-19 once again caused the biennial event to be moved to a later date and it will now take place on 14 and 15 October at the Greymouth Aerodrome. It’s the second time in two years the event has been postponed, with the 2020 event also moved from the usual autumn date and was eventually staged in November that year coinciding with Canterbury Anniversary Day. Ruralco Group CEO, Rob Sharkie, AgFest provided the Ruralco team with the opportunity to meet with a wide array of farming folk. It is also likely to create a welcome boost to the West Coast economy through increased visitor numbers – from both AgFest attendees and exhibitors. “We attended the 2020 and 2018 AgFest and see it is as important way to connect with our West Coast farming community and to show we are a serious option for them and their farming operations.” AgFest was started in 2012 and has grown to be a major agricultural event on the West Coast calendar, with something on offer for everyone including new farm technology, plenty of agricultural and trade displays, and an Ag Chef and a Creative Gumboot competition. This year all facets of the Ruralco business will be represented at the event. Rob says it’s a great way to find out first-hand what Ruralco can do to best serve farmers in the region. Among those attending AgFest, will be newly appointed On Farm Sales Manager, Andrew Mitchell who has a long association with the West Coast. Originally from Canterbury, Andrew went to the Coast as a Lincoln University student and stayed – for over 30 years, firstly as a share milker and dairy farm owner north of Westport for 23 years, and latterly as a rural technical field officer and manager in the rural supplies sector for 10 years before returning to Canterbury. “I love the West Coast and I’m really passionate about farming in this region. It’s a very strong farming area and I think the Ruralco cooperative model fits extremely well there. I’m really looking forward to meeting with farmers and renewing old connections,” he says. Ruralco is looking to build on its West Coast presence, and Rob says the co-operative’s ability to provide knowledgeable information, timely product delivery, great pricing and its growing card supplier network makes Ruralco a great option for West Coast farmers. “We’ve had a really good response on the Coast, and I think that’s because Ruralco brings options farmers are struggling to find in their own back yard. It’s not just the breadth and depth of our product range—it’s because we’re strongly attuned to farming which means we’ve been able to come to the party with innovative offers.”

Dedicated fuel and energy teams offering impartial advice on how to meet individual farming operation needs, along with an evergrowing on-line presence and a customer service centre with a wealth of industry knowledge means farmers are well served with expertise and a genuine interest in helping farmers meet their farming goals. “Members of the Ruralco team will be able to talk to farmers about bulk fuel deliveries, fuel offerings, energy options and a wide range of on-farm supplies and services. AgFest will be a great opportunity for farmers to have a chat and arrange for a no obligation on-farm health check to review their current costs, especially around electricity and fuel. These are continually evolving markets, but with our inhouse expertise, you can talk directly to those who have in-depth knowledge of the industry and the options currently available.” Keep an eye out for some exclusive Ruralco promotions especially linked to this event, and make sure you visit Andrew and the team at the Ruralco AgFest site 158 to find out about all Ruralco can do for you and your farming operation.

ABOVE: Attendees enjoying the 2020 AgFest event BELOW: Ruralco On Farm Sales Manager Andrew Mitchell