Field days lures record trade turnout

Getting ready for the National Horticultural Field Days are Cervus Equipment Hastings staff Bennet Williams (left) and Hayden Lissette, pictured yesterday preparing machinery at exhibitors and Hastings John Deere dealership Cervus Equipment. Photo / Paul Taylor

The horticulture industry can expect mainly fine conditions for its big day out at the National Horticultural Field Days in Hastings tomorrow.

A meteorologist at the national weather forecaster, the MetService, says cloud will increase during the day, but rain is likely before the end of the event, which was first held as the ICE Expo in 2007.

Not to be confused with the New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays starting next Wednesday at Mystery Creek, the horticultural event at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds has a variety of events. Tomorrow morning there's a Power Breakfast featuring BNZ chief economist Tony Alexander and another highlight will be the Hawke's Bay Fruitgrower of the Year competition.

Despite the attraction of the agricultural event near Hamilton, a record number of trade exhibitors will be at Hastings.

Its part in the horticulture industry is highlighted by Sean Butcher, the Hastings-based Hawke's Bay-East Coast branch manager for John Deere dealership Cervus Equipment, who says it is "hugely important" for the business to showcase itself, with the competition and other equipment in the industry all at one venue.

The company, which has 13 staff in Hastings and 11 in Waipukurau, will move its equipment to the showgrounds today, with three staff on hand throughout tomorrow's event.

While the Power Breakfast will start at 7.30am, the gates open at 8.30am, with hundreds of high school students from across central North Island among the crowd as the event focuses on education, careers and training for the future. More than 200 people are enrolled for the Pick a Career in Horticulture Expo and will meet educators and industry heads throughout the day.

There is a BNZ Seminar series most of the day, the NZ Hydralada competition, ECR Forklift contests, an art exhibition, and several stages of Young Fruitgrower competition, which will culminate with a function and announcement on Saturday of the winner, who will take part in a national final.

Demonstrations of soil use will take place as the event pays homage to a UN General Assembly decree making 2015 the International Year of Soils.

Details:

WHAT:
National Horticultural Field Days.

WHEN:
Tomorrow.

WHERE:
Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, Hastings.

HIGHLIGHTS:
7.30am, Power Breakfast with BNZ's Tony Alexander;
9am, Pick a Career in Horticulture Expo;
10am, 10.50am, 12.10pm, BNZ Seminar Series;
Midday, HB Young Fruitgrower of Year.