Good numbers at Farming Expo

Day one of the East Coast Farming Expo at the Wairoa racecourse yesterday drew a pleasing crowd of around 400, and event organiser Sue Wilson was rapt with how the two-day event started.

The two-day East Coast Farming Expo at the Wairoa Racecourse got off to a great start yesterday with around 400 people through the Expo site during the day.

Aimed at sheep and beef farmers it’s providing an opportunity for them to reconnect and get some expert advice on a range of subjects.

“We attracted a fantastic crowd yesterday and hope to draw more today,” said event organiser Sue Wilson.

“We had brilliant weather for day one, a still and warm day.”

The Beef & Lamb Station Challenge will be a popular event to watch this afternoon.

“One of keynote speakers Matt Chisholm will be catching up with farmers.”

Award-winning journalist Hamish McKay spoke at the well-attended Property Brokers Evening Muster last night.

Another feature yesterday was the Rural News Cadet Challenge.

“It was a rustic Master Chef-style competition in which the teams had to bone out a leg of lamb, design a menu, cook the meat on a BBQ and plate up ready for the judges,” Sue said.

“We had eight teams entered — two each  from Napier Boys’ High, Wairoa College, Growing Future Farmers, and Woodford House.”

The team from Growing Future Farmers won.

The gates at the racecourse open for day two at 9am, with a full day’s programme running through until 4pm.