Gates close on 43rd New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays

Mystery Creek Events Centre hummed this week with 117,495 visitors through its flagship event; New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays. The final day at Fieldays saw 21,654 brave the weather to catch the end of the thriving event. Athough total attendance was 4% down on last year General Manager, Barry Quayle puts it in perspective;

“Quality visitors versus quantity remain the true indicator of the success of an event. Value to the exhibitor continues to be our priority; getting down to business is what we do best at Fieldays.”

Farmers, lifestylers and townies turned out for the country’s biggest rural trade show. With over 1000 exhibitors and demonstrations on the 40 hectare event space; there was no lack of new products and technologies to discover. The enthusiasm of visitors was encouraging for businesses, with some making record sales and leads. Actual spend at the event will be revealed following the Fieldays exhibitor survey released in the next few months.

Exhibitors weren’t the only winners at Fieldays today. Thanks to Big Brand Leisure, Iain Paton of Otorohanga, will be soaking in a $10,000 luxury spa this winter. Iain filled out the prize entry form when he purchased the Fieldays Programme winning him a Big Brand Leisure spa for his efforts. This great competition will be repeated for buyers of Fieldays Programme next year.

Always a popular feature at Fieldays, past winners of the Rural Bachelor came together this week to battle it out for the ultimate title. Te Awamutu farm owner and manager, Mat Sherriff, proved he had the right stuff and took out the overall title of ‘Best of the Best’.

The familiar roar from Fieldays NZLandleasing.co.nz Tractor Pull competition was silenced today with winners of the Waikato Regional Tractor Pull Final announced. Jakes Steyn took first place, followed by Jason Weenick in 2nd and Shane Smith placed 3rd. Darrell Atkins took out the Weight Adjusted, 2nd Phillip Bryan and Matt Stevensen taking 3rd. Best First Year Entrant Overall was awarded to Antony Dyer.

Developed by not for profit, the National Fieldays Society; Fieldays is powered by over 30 permanent staff, 135 Fieldays volunteers and 300 helpers. The 2012 New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays will be held 13 to 16 June at Mystery Creek Events Centre, 10 minutes south of Hamilton. The Fieldays event is proudly supported by strategic partners; ANZ and the University of Waikato. For further information about the event visit www.fieldays.co.nz.