Southern Field Days back for 2020

The Southern Field Days is a major agricultural event held every two years at Waimumu, 12km from Gore in Southland.

On show over three days from February 12-14 2020 will be the latest in rural technology, equipment and specialist knowledge from around the world.

The Southern Field Days is a nonprofit incorporated society run by previous and current members of the Eastern Southland Young Farmers Club. All members are volunteers, apart from the secretary and caretaker and work in the agricultural industry. The new incoming president Warren Ross is a local farmer and has been involved in the Field Days for a number of years.

Wherever possible other nonprofit groups within the local community such as clubs, schools, PTA’s etc are used to help set up and run the event which is an important fundraiser for them.

The Field Days were first held in 1982 on Ken Bowmar’s property at Waimumu with 60 exhibitors. The main focus was on working demonstrations.

The Society now owns 57 hectares of its our own land and last Field Days it had more than 700 exhibitors from New Zealand, Australia and two from Europe and 40,000 people through the gates.

This year’s event will once again be at capacity with companies recognising this as a great way to market their products to their clientele.

After two very successful rugby games in 2016 and 2018, a game will once again be hosted at Fred Booth park adjacent to the field days site on Thursday February 14 with kickoff at 6pm. This will be a grass roots game of rugby between Fijian provincial team the Nadroga Stallions and a Southland Invitational 15. Organisers are excited to welcome an international provincial team to the event and look forward to a great game.

This year’s Field Days will have all its popular events including the Speed Shears and the Golden Pliers fencing competition along with the tractor pull and the Young Farmers fencing competition. Beef and Lamb will be holding a new event ‘The Primary Industry Amazing Race’ aimed at all age groups. For more information on entering or about these events please go to the website.

Southern Rural Life Innovation Awards have been a part of the Southern Field Days for a number of years and are a great opportunity for budding inventors to show their creations. There are two categories, open and primary school with great prize money up for grabs. Visit the website for entry forms and guidelines.

Mark the dates on your calendar so you don’t miss out on one of the country’s largest rural events.

For further information visit www.southernfielddays.co.nz