Have fun with farming facts at Fieldays

MEDIA RELEASE     

29 May 2009

Have fun with farming facts at Fieldays

What is the connection between dentures and animal health? That’s one question being posed by the joint sponsors of this year’s Premier Feature on their stand at the National Fieldays.

Environment Waikato, AgResearch and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry are encouraging everyone to visit their partnership stand and learn some quirky facts about the history of New Zealand farming, through a game of question and answer. 

Visitors to the Premier Feature Stand will be challenged on their knowledge of innovative New Zealand farmers and technologies, and will also get the chance to prove their skills with a steady hand and a miniature electric fence.

Environment Waikato chairman Peter Buckley says the aim of the activities is for people to have a laugh while celebrating some of the aspects that New Zealand farming is best known for.

“Without wanting to give too much away, we will be posing questions that relate to some of the technologies from our past that have led to a step-change in farming and will have large, interactive props on the stand to help people with their thinking.

“What we want is for people to consider how we could bring about another technology step-change that will support farmers in dealing with the challenges they currently face. In short, the message to farmers is we’ve changed before and we can change again.”

A display made up of changing digital photos will remind visitors of what makes New Zealand farmers unique and a short, sharp electric shock will prove who has the steadiest hand when it comes to negotiating a way around an electric fence.

“Although we want people to have fun, we also want to highlight successes of the past and encourage debate and discussion around how we can ensure success is also part of our farming future,” says Mr Buckley.

“By celebrating all that is kiwi farming, we hope to remind everyone of exactly what it means to be in this business.” 

As for the connection between teeth and animal health? Visit the Premier Feature Stand and find out!
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For further information, contact:

Stephen Ward

Senior communications advisor

Environment Waikato

07 859 0782

What is Environment Waikato?
Environment Waikato is the regional council for the Waikato region.

The council’s area extends from the Bombay Hills in the north to Mt Ruapehu in the south, and from the mouth of the Waikato River to Mokau on the west coast, across to the Coromandel Peninsula on the east.

The region contains nationally important electricity generation facilities and an internationally significant dairy sector. It is also home to iconic natural features which are key tourist attractions.

Environment Waikato’s responsibilities include:
·       sustainable management of natural and physical resources, including pest control.
·       planning regional growth and transport, and providing bus services.

·       civil defence, emergency response, navigation safety, dam safety, flood management, erosion control and road safety.

       
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