Grasslandz 2016 promises to be both bigger and smaller, concentrating more into a compact area at the request of exhibitors.

'Many of our exhibitors found at the 2014 event that they don't need several hectares to demonstrate their tractors and equipment, so instead of spreading Grasslandz over 65 hectares, we've brought it back to about 35ha, and increased the variety of what's on display,” says event manager Andrew Reymer.

The biennial event is on Thursday and Friday at McFarlane Contracting's Eureka site, near Hamilton.

Planning for the two-day event began early last year when maize, fodder beet and pasture crops were sown and lined effluent ponds built.

The effluent hub, one of six at the 2016 Grasslandz, is a new innovation for the event which is aimed squarely at farmers keen to compare and purchase machinery, equipment and technology.

'The effluent hub has attracted huge interest from regional councils, Federated Farmers, Dairy NZ, Fonterra and a range of significant players in the New Zealand dairy effluent scene who will be using their extensive networks to bring many farmers to this event.

'The effluent hub at Grasslandz is seen as a working window into future farming systems with new technology displays, new farm machinery demonstrations, nutrient management and compliance solutions, effluent management options and displays,” says Andrew.

The ponds full of water, not effluent, will be used to demonstrate stirrers, pumps, and irrigators.

The other hubs will focus on agronomy, fencing, ATVs and 4x4 vehicles, stock feed and nutrition and diggers and loaders. The ATV and 4x4 site will have a track on which to try out different machines.

Grasslandz has formed an alliance with ThinkWater of Cambridge which has been looking after the event's irrigation programme. Water is being applied to the pasture as required to be sure of providing a lush grass crop for harvesting demonstrations.

Andrew says Grasslandz is deliberately timed to enable farmers and contractors to see machinery and vehicles in action, compare their performance and place orders in time for it to be imported from overseas.

In fact the 2016 event has attracted two Australian exhibitors who will not only have product on display, but are bringing a number of significant Australian farmers over for Grasslandz as well.

'We are aware of two Australian tour groups coming over, as Grasslands holds a unique point of difference that no other Australian event even serves yet.”

While Grasslandz doesn't attract huge crowds, Andrew says those who attend are 'purist punters” there to check out and compare farm machinery and make buying decisions.

'We are pretty strict about who we let exhibit at Grasslandz – and in some ways its quality is as much about who is not there, as who is.

'Our exhibitors love the fact there are no school children wanting freebies, no people just looking for the sake of looking.” The focused atmosphere is ideal for networking too. 'Exhibitors find that often they are talking to one person on a topic when bystanders join in, making useful contributions to the discussion.”

The licensed bar and lunch area is another great place for discussions, and where purchase agreements are often finalised.

'As Grasslandz is a smaller, more focused event, people feel comfortable conducting business in this relaxed way.”

While the exhibition area is smaller, the Waikato Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club will bring out their favourite restored machines to tow trailers and provide free transport around the site. The Waikato Ploughing Association will also stage ploughing demonstrations and there will be a tractor pull competition from 4pm each day.

To find out more, go to www.grasslandz.co.nz/