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Fieldays 2017 reaches record numbers

It's the largest annual farming and agricultural trade show in the Southern Hemisphere – this year’s event didn’t disappoint which saw record numbers as 133,588 Fielday-goers turned up to celebrate the four-day agricultural event.

It's the largest annual farming and agricultural trade show in the Southern Hemisphere – this year’s event didn’t disappoint which saw record numbers as 133,588 Fielday-goers turned up to celebrate the four-day agricultural event.

Minister for Primary Industries the Hon Nathan Guy congratulated the Fieldays organisers for another successful event at Mystery Creek in Waikato.

“This year’s Fieldays was another success thanks to hard work from Peter Nation and his team, but also in part due to the positive outlook for the primary sector,” says Mr Guy.

“Many farmers and growers have dealt with some challenging past seasons, so it was great to feel a really positive mood across the many thousands who entered the gates. There’s a strong sense that many will be looking to use their extra forecast revenue to reinvest in their businesses.

“This will have flow on effects for the wider economy, and particularly for all those rural businesses that support the primary sector. That includes those offering direct support services, right through to those who operate general retail businesses in our regions,” says Mr Guy.

The event kicked off on Tuesday night with an event celebrating the 1000thSustainable Farming Fund project, and the launch of the Primary Sector Science Roadmap with Ministers Guy, Upston, and Goldsmith.

On Wednesday, Acting Prime Minister Paula Bennett formally opened Fieldays and Ministers Coleman and Guy opened the Rural Mental Health Hub and announced $500,000 in more funding for 20 rural health workshops.

On Thursday, Minister Guy spoke at the Innovation Awards breakfast and congratulated entrants for their ideas that will help drive growth in the primary sector.

Mathew McAtamney was crowned the Rural Bachelor of the Year after a week of challenges against seven other male contestants. The 26 year old took the golden gumboot trophy and won a prize pack worth over $20,000, including a Suzuki King Quad 750 4WD.

For the second year running the People's Choice Award is heading to Australia with Queensland's Gordon 'Gordy' Mill walking away with the People's Choice award.


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