Federated Farmers: Bay of Plenty Farm Day attracts thousands

This year's Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers' Farm Day at McLeod's farm was once again a huge success.

What a great day at McLeod's dairy farm at 1189 Welcome Bay Rd.

This was the ninth year Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers have held Farm Day and it was the second largest, with more than 1000 people registering at the event.

People came from a selection of different countries including Germany, Hong Kong, Malaysia, US, UK, France, South Korea, Poland and Australia, as well as a large portion from surrounding districts.

It was also great to see people from all walks of life with different careers from urban backgrounds who came to share the wonders of farming.

Biosecurity was an important issue this year and each individual was required to cleanse their footwear before entering the zone.

The sponsors and agricultural sector once again supplied free gift bags (DairyNZ) with Rosie the Cow circulating, Fonterra providing free milk in three different flavours and having a milk tanker on site, as well as all the volunteers who took groups around the display areas.

The sheep shearing was a crowd pleaser with David Hodge and Rick Powdrell showing their expertise in this line of work.

Representatives from Ballance Agri-Nutrients came from three different regions and shared their knowledge, along with truck drivers, farmers from both the dairy, meat and wool sectors and the Te Puke Young Farmers group.

Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers members were available to answer questions and help out.

Static displays included Shirley Spick with her dexter calves, a haystack lolly scramble with lollies sponsored by Farmlands Te Puke, a gumboot throwing competition and much more. Neil Wallace won the senior gumboot throw with Connor McLeod winning the junior section.

A colouring competition was handed out for children.

DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb were the major sponsors of this day and without their contribution, along with the hosts — Andrew and Robyn McLeod — this event could not have gone ahead.

This is a great way for people to get a better understanding of all the physical and extensive work that is done on a farm, remembering that this does not include the intensive paperwork and business management that is also required.

A lot of people were excited about returning to Farm Day after experiencing a great day in previous years, and many comments suggested there would be many returning to this annual, free farm experience.

Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers president Darryl Jensen expressed his thanks to everyone for making this day such a success and particularly to Farm Day co-ordinator Steve Bailey for his tireless efforts and huge contribution.