Fieldays Exhibitor 2008 Issue 3 - Wintec

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2 Fieldays Exhibitor The Exhibitor Fieldays Exhibitor is created by Wintec students and distributed to exhibitors at Fieldays. The Exhibitor has been published since 2003 and was last year recognised by the NZ National Fieldays Society for its Outstanding Contribution to the Success of Fieldays. If you would like to contact the team at the Exhibitor with feedback, story suggestions or to discuss sponsorship opportunities, please email julie.starr@wintec.ac.nz Inside A whip-cracking good time........................page 5 Simple works best with avocados..............page 6 Contributors EDITOR’S BENCH Julie Starr Editor in residence Charles Riddle Kirsty Armstrong Jeremy Smith JOURNALISTS Karla Akuhata, Kelly Badman, Shaun Bamber, Julian Beresford, Sophie Boladeras, Matt Bowen, Balaji Chandramohan, Amanda Gray, Mary Holmes, Janine Jackson, Matt Mylchreest, Luke Parker, Sarah-Lee Ryan, Ben Stanley, Katie Stone, Robin Thomsen, Aaron Goile, Bianca Kaipara, Courtney Mellor, Aden Morunga, Nakita Wairepo, Amanda Wisnewski’ DESIGNERS Gemma Conn, Emerson Moore, Ilana McMorran, Lesley Daniel, Michelle Haselden PHOTOGRAPHERS Tammy McCloughen, Kelly Petersen, Trish Macky, Naomi Williams, Kirstie Smith, Kai Fisher, Claire Goldsworthy, Alysse Brown, David Cook Sponsors We would like to thank our sponsors, Gallagher Group and Print House Ltd, for their valuable support. Proudly Supported by We’re not creaming it, say dairy farmers By Karla Akuhata Dairy farmers are annoyed the public thinks that they are creaming it. Last month when Fonterra announced it would increase the forecast payout from $7.30 to $7.90 per kilogram of milk solids many, including the Green Party, claimed dairy farmers were getting rich off the price of milk. However, ASB rural bank manager and former farmer Glenn Holmes disagrees with reports that many dairy farmers have it easy. “What has not been reported is that the cost side has gone up. And I think that is something that the media don’t do well. “They talk about this massive increase in income but never a word about how the costs have increased. Income has gone up in dollars but all those dollars have been spent in restoring feed on the farm. So the net result is no different from last year.” Holmes believes that the impact of the drought and the subsequent rise in the cost of supplementary feed is not being taken into consideration when the media report that the average New Zealand farmer is now earning an annual income of $800,000. The Great Indoors with Kingsley Field Day Two was at least as good as Day One, and Day Three is likely to be at least on a par. We’ve been inundated, right from the get-go on Wednesday, and it’s by a group of people who are seriously in a buying mood. Sure, there’ve been the tyrekickers, and those who were simply out to see what there was to see, but for the � rst two days of the Fieldays there was a steady and solid stream of people who knew exactly what they wanted - and they wanted to buy it right now. On numerous occasions I had young farming couples who were buying not just for themselves but also for farm “The drought has made life tough for all farmers. The price of feed has risen astronomically, for instance next year’s price of maize silage is nearly double what it was 12 months ago. “So that is a signi� cant cost increase and that is because we are short of feed around the place. Even despite the fact that the grass is growing we are still short on feed.” “ They talk about this massive increase in income, but never a word about how costs have increased. ” And with the price of petrol now over $2 a litre, Holmes says that the increased fuel costs have impacted on the costs of running a farm. “Increases in oil prices mean just about everything. They have an effect on freight, obviously, even on the price of clothing. “So I think you can say that there has been a dramatic effect on the farm-cost side of the employees, and they wanted multiples in gumboots, rain coats, bib-fronted overalls and other such goods. They were happy to write out cheques or sign Visa slips for upwards of a $1,000 a time. There were others - trampers, hunters, orchardists, retired men who “just like to keep an eye on the young fella on the farm” – who also wanted similar attire. And there was plenty of talk about farming too. Mainly the talk was upbeat – yep, the drought had been harsh, and some farmers spent a heap on buying in stock food. But mostly they were sure things were going to get better. Farmers from the Bay of budget with the drought and rising oil prices.” However, Waikato Federated Farmers president Stew Wadey has been pleased with the media’s coverage of the payout. “It was all pretty accurate. I mean there was a bit of poetic license taken from some of the journalists, and I am mostly talking about the business writers, but I have no problem with that. It has been factual, no airy fairy stuff.” The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has predicted that global dairy prices will ease over the next few years as major exporting countries increase supply and developing countries expand domestic production. However, New Zealand export prices in US dollars will continue to increase in the longer term as rising middle-class incomes shift preferences from cereal-based foods to protein-based foods. Also the demand for dairy products is still growing and the Common Agricultural Policy reforms in the European Union mean that the outlook for dairy products continues to be promising. The � nal payout for the 2007/08 season will be announced in September and the forecast for next season is already $7. Plenty were happiest – they have had a number of reasonable rain showers in the past two months and say it’s been enough to get them through. Others, from the Waikato region, are still skimping but say it’s not as bad as it was in March. “We’ll know how bad it’s going to be this time next year,” one said.“We’re doing all right in the meantime.” Farmers are like that - they invariably talk about “we” rather than “I”. It’s all about being part of a community. And that community has been having a good time and a fair spend-up at the Fieldays so far.
Kiwi ingenuity shown in Fieldays top inventions By Sophie Boladeras Invention competitions have proved popular at this year’s Fieldays – not surprising given they have been running for the entire 40 years. The judges found a consistent theme of simple and effective solutions to common farm problems were prominent when they announced the winning entries in the Fieldays Innovation Centre yesterday morning. The awards are broken into two major sections, Equipment and Inventions. The Invention of the Year is named the Golden Standard award and there is also an award for young inventors under 25. Inventions category Merit Awards were presented to Alex Taylor from Morrinsville for his post-puller and to Richard Pilbrow for his Automatic Gate Opener. The 2008 Golden Standard was awarded to Morrinsville man Murray Lopes for his ultimate mobile gate post. Mr Lopes became frustrated with the gates he was using to shift stock around the farm and, in the true tradition Environment Waikato is to be the sponsor of the Premier Feature at Fieldays next year to be entitled “My Land, Our Environment”. The announcement was made today by Environment Waikato chairman Peter Buckley and Fieldays chairman Lloyd Downing, who are both Waikato dairy farmers. The Premier Feature is at the heart of the Fieldays site and is a major part of event marketing. “My Land, Our Environment” will showcase the New Zealand FANCY STUFF: Some of the winning entries in the inventions category of farmyard inventors, thought there had to be a better way. His innovative invention is a simple addition to standard gates and fencing that provides the � exibility to create pens and folding gates, creating stock drafting solutions on-farm. Cameron Ardern received The Young Inventor of the Year award for his multipurpose feeder. The versatile feeder caters for the changing needs of calves and supplies them with a range of sustenance including molasses, palm kernel, hay and meal. Judges referred to Ardern’s invention as a “practical solution to rural environment and discuss ways of protecting it so future generations can continue to enjoy economically rewarding lives. “Being associated with this Premier Feature is a great way for Environment Waikato to promote its vision of an economically rich and environmentally sensitive agricultural sector in our region,” said Cr Buckley. “The regional council is very keen to work side by side with farmers to help them farm successfully in a way which minimises any negative impact their operations have on the environment. “Our sponsorship of ‘My Land, Our Environment’ will be a very useful way of getting our environmental protection messages across,” said Cr Buckley. FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008 Fieldays Exhibitor 3 Bite of the Day Wok-fried mussels By Aden Morunga Today’s bite of the day is wok-fried mussels presented by Mussel Madness. The fl amed mussels are accompanied by shallots, garlic, chilli, pineapple and topped with coconut cream. Mussel Madness was created two years ago by Fabian and Carmen Steel, who fast became known for their fantastic Jumbo Mussel Fritters. To put it simply, this is dish is a fusion of ingredients that produces a hot and tasty dish that can be enjoyed as you walk through the exhibits. The wok-fried mussels can be found on J road. Environment to feature strongly at next Fieldays PHOTOS: Stephen Barker a real problem”. The Equipment of the Year Trophy was awarded to Technipharm International for the Se-lect A Cow Split Drafter, a solution that integrates speed detection technology and a split drafter to provide inline drafting. The Software Entry of the Year Award went to Gallagher Animal Management Systems ‘Smart TSi’, a touch screen rugged computer which incorporates weighing and animal management software. Judges said that “the durability of the product takes animal management out of the of� ce and back onto the farm.” Dairy NZ wins best Premier Feature site award The best site awards announced last night saw Dairy NZ (PA16) win Best Premier Feature site. Other awards included: Best Mystery Creek Pavilion Site: Milk Bar (PD10). Merit: Telecom (EM20 and 21). Best Indoor Site: LIC (LIC Building). Merit: Southern Clams (Kiwi’s Best). Best Large Outdoor Site: Goughs (E105-107). Best Medium Outdoor Site: Husqvana (G76, F75, K7-9). Merit: Bell-Booth (C4, N26-28). Best Small Outdoor Site: TRS Tyre & Wheels (B57). Best Eastern Exhibition Site: Village Stone (EAST13). Merit: Horizons Regional Council (O9- 11). Best Food Site: Wild Bills Rib House (C Street). President’s Site Award (best long-time exhibitor site, a special award for 40th anniversary): Gallagher Group (Gallagher Building). Thought Wall It beats a day at the of� ce Mr Downing said having a “My Land, Our Environment” theme for Fieldays’ Premier Feature next year was very relevant given the environmental challenges associated with farming. “It’s timely to have our main feature next year focused on solutions to these challenges. “The farming sector is very aware of the need to strike a good balance between economic ef- � ciency and environmental protection.”
Page 1: Friday 13/06/2008 Issue 3 Tractor t
Page 5 and 6: Cracking good time on offer A CRACK
Page 7 and 8: If you fancy the strength of your k

Fieldays Exhibitor 2008 Issue 3 - Wintec

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