The seminar programme was well received, with speakers including rural accounting specialist Pita Alexander, who enlightened the audience with some rather direct best business practice advice.
For event organiser Sue Wilson, the Beef + Lamb Station Challenge and Rural News Cadet Challenge had been “exceptional”.
“Leigh Bullock and her team did a fantastic job in bringing it all together,” she said.
Napier Boys’ High School, sponsored by Kiwi Transport, were the winners of the cadet challenge.
Each of the nine teams had sponsors and had to build a gate, then correctly name the cuts on the Affco bull.
Challenge co-ordinator Leigh Bullock was most impressed with the attitudes of the agri-students and cadets.
“They pushed themselves to complete the challenge,” Bullock said.
The station challenge called for the teams to draft and crutch sheep on the George Twigley Crutching Trailer before using the Gallagher electric fence system to run out a fence, and then finally lasso some antlers.
“There was a bit of luck involved in the lassoing, but in the end the day belonged to Te Whakarai Block,” Wilson said.
Bullock said the roping segment had certainly evened out the playing field.
“It provided great entertainment for spectators who lined the bank to watch. There was a real energetic vibe throughout the day.”
The two-day event is put on by the Wairoa Community Development Trust, which has a focus on connection with the region’s rural communities.
“It was evident to see how much the expo benefited those farmers who attended,” said trust chairman Sefton Alexander.
“They raved about the insights they gained, especially to improve farming operations. The trust is keen to engage with more Wairoa farmers to understand what would bring them to the event.
“There is such a wide range of information to help them farm smarter – and it’s being delivered to their back doorstep. We are keen to hear from them.”
Businesses and organisations have already lined up for next year’s expo, which will be held on February 17-18.
