A SUMMER start for Fieldays 2022 and it’s taken a lot of planning, says Fieldays CEO Peter Nation. PHOTO SUPPLIED
FOR the first time, the 53-year-old Fieldays had a summer start as it got underway in Mystery Creek yesterday. “This event is the biggest in New Zealand … it’s bigger than any agricultural event in the Southern Hemisphere and it ranks in the top five outdoor agricultural events in the world. The scale of it takes a lot of planning and a lot of effort,” Fieldays CEO Peter Nation said. “In early 2022 we were in our second round of lockdowns, so the usual 12-week lead-in time – when Fieldays commits to costs and bookings – couldn’t start. “We talked to Government officials. No one could tell us whether we’d still be in red or not. And we were starting to see supply chain issues. We’ve got all the big agricultural companies from Fonterra down [and] they’re going ‘We’ve got no staff and we’ve got no stock.’ “Some tractor companies – you order a tractor today you won’t see it for two years,” Peter said. Exhibitors still wanted the event to go ahead. So the challenge of finding a new time began. Fieldays could not clash with other events like regional agricultural shows, because it required all the major marquees in New Zealand. Organisers also had to avoid lambing and calving. While this time of year did not suit cropping or silage making, he said, it was good news for the kiwifruit business. “We landed at this date which gave us two weeks lead in time from Canterbury show, there was a gap, it was summer, we had daylight savings, and we had key exhibitors.” Even June did not suit everyone, Peter said, for example farmers with winter milking contracts. More guests were expected from the northern hemisphere – it would be a chance to escape their winter. Organisers also hoped to see more from Australia and even Hawaii. Pre-Covid, about three thousand international visitors came to Fieldays but this was expected to increase in 2022. International trade commissions were back and there would be around four countries appearing rather than the usual 11. Peter said Fieldays would not be too affected by Covid. Attendees could wear masks if they chose, but this was not required by organisers. Heat and sunburn were at least an equal risk, he said. His personal highlights included brand new forestry and careers hubs as well as the health and wellbeing hub, which has tripled in size. Fieldays made a difference to rural health, Peter said. “It gets people off farm to reconnect. “That’s an indication of the health challenges in rural New Zealand isn’t it? Health doesn’t stop just because you haven’t got a doctor.” Visitors could get early advice from health professionals if they were walking past. The service was free, and included in the ticket price. Innovation was another standout. “We’ve got a really good turnout of innovations this year. [There are] 67 entries, a number focused on climate change and sustainability. [That] is typical New Zealand. We turn our attention to a problem and we try and fix it using innovation, I think that’s really smart,” Peter said. Fieldays would be held in June as usual next year.
