Strong interest from exhibitors for October’s Otago Field Days

MANY sites are already booked for Otago Field Days, with some exhibitors coming from as far away as Auckland and Tauranga.

There was also particularly strong interest from South Canterbury.

Those who had taken part previously were now seeking larger sites for this year, chief executive and A&P Association president Paul Mutch said.

New ideas being put into effect included a ‘‘green corner’’ to showcase renewable energy sources, riparian planting, and other practices to enhance the environment.

Volunteers had offered to speak about such subjects, Mr Mutch said. A timetable of events would be produced soon.

The advent of Mycoplasma bovis meant the field days would play a bigger part in marketing in rural communities, he said. Suppliers could no longer go on to farms as readily as they used to.

Having rural products and services gathered on one site was not only an opportunity for their promoters, but also a chance for farmers to socialise while checking them out, he said.

‘‘It’s all about change. That’s where we come in. We learn things, too. That’s the whole meaning of A&P. We are able to fresh up from the field days what’s important to A&P.

‘‘We’re here to promote our region also.’’ The Otago Field Days take place on Friday October 12 and Saturday October 13.