Massey University's Riverside farm opened its gates yesterday bringing Wairarapa farmers and Massey scientists together for the first time in almost a decade to get up to date with research and life on a real farm.
Minister of Agriculture David Carter attended and applauded Massey's initiative because it bridged the communication
gap between farmers and the universities where research happens.
"My own personal farming is not [as] up to date as it should be because I'm not keeping in touch with modern developments.
"We need to address that gap to what's occurring in new science and getting that information down to the farmers."
Massey University Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey said the day helped scientists engage with local farmers.
"What we're doing at the moment is opening up our farm again and our interests again.
"What better way to do it than on a farm and with farmers coming to having the chance to hear Massey staff and look around the farm."
Wairarapa's climate and soil were different to the university's main campus in the Manawatu, giving researchers the chance to compare stock performance.
Massey University Director of Agricultural Services Byron Taylor said sheep research on the farm included looking at their lifetime performance over the last six years.
Wairarapa farmer Stuart Kelynack said listening to the speakers and meeting other farmers gave the open day good value.
"You're never too old to learn new things."
Professor Steve Morris, who spoke about his sheep production research, said Wairarapa farmers had always been good at farming sheep in a challenging environment and should recover from last summer's drought.
Mr Carter also said he was confident Wairarapa farmers affected by the drought would overcome the challenges including lower stocks and incomes.
"The immediate drought issues have passed, but the effects of the drought are ongoing.
"New Zealand farmers have one thing in common, they're tough and resilient.
"I've been through droughts myself and they're hard at the time but most people who are in farming are optimists."
