Second big day full of firsts
The second day of the Southern Field Days at Waimumu was a day of firsts for many.
It was the first time 11,500 people paid to enter, the final figure excluding the students who entered free.
Southern Field Days secretary Nicky Eade said she was ‘‘blown away’’ by the second day.
It was the first time she had opened a bottom paddock for car parking, she said.
First prize for best site was given to Pukerau Nursery.
Pukerau Nursery managing director Arne Cleland, of Gore, said the site had a theme of riparian planting.
‘‘It adds extra shade, shelter and beauty along farmers’ fence lines,’’ he said.
The best invention first prize went to Clean Green effluent Company Ltd for a self-priming syphon.
Franchise distributor Lindsay Lewis, of Invercargill, said the $220 syphon had sparked a lot of interest. ‘‘A lot of people can’t figure out how it works.’’
Huntly man Peter Sweetman also enjoyed a first at the event – he showed the cow mattresses he imports from inventor Paul Hoefnagels for the first time.
Mr Hoefnagels and his business partner Erik Beekhuiszen travelled more than 18,000km from the Netherlands to help Mr Sweetman sell the mattresses.
The mattresses were better for cow welfare and should be in the winter shed of every New Zealand dairy farmer, Mr Hoefnagels said.
For first-timer Peter Bell, a dairy farmer from the Taieri area, the event was full of interesting products and he said he had spent more than he had intended.
Arriving with a busload of farmers he said he had not come with a wishlist but was going home with a teat sprayer, a palm kernel feeder and had also had his eye on a generator.
Mrs Eade said yesterday was also the first time they had eight mobility scooters available.
‘‘There was a good vibe, a good response from the record crowds,’’ she said.
The event finishes today with the finals of the tractor pull, and a visit from Prime Minister John Key.