Fieldays aren't just for farmers.

Every year thousands of urban dwellers also pour through the gates at Mystery Creek, (admittedly many in their designer gumboots) to enjoy the sights, sounds and experiences of the largest agribusiness exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere.

Now in its 44th year, the New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays can take credit for raising the profile of this country's primary industries both at home and abroad, and for bringing town closer to country. This year will be no exception.

Ag Fieldays chairman Warwick Roberts says the four days of Fieldays are a spectacle of farming and farming processes not to be missed. Not only that, but it will be even easier to get around the huge site and its 1000 exhibitors.

In recognition of the need for easier walking and the ability to rest, organisers have improved transport between car parks and installed more seating. As always there's plenty to eat and drink with a selection of foods from fast to exotic.

In addition to the impressive display of farm machinery and equipment there's a daily programme of events including fencing championships, tractor pull, miniature horses, the Kiwi's Best Kitchen Theatre, sheep dog trials, Chelsea & the Dog Stars, Ag Art Wear, New Zealand Cutting Horse Association demonstrations, extreme motorcycle displays and Western Riding demonstrations. Entrants in the New Zealand Contractors' Federation Waikato Regional Excavator Competitions will show off their skills, possibly even as delicate as pouring a glass of wine with the bucket of an excavator.

Then there is the premiere feature, ‘The Changing Face of Farming' in the Mystery Creek Pavilion with exhibitors who proactively combat issues related to the altering landscape of farming ownership models.
The University of Waikato is also holding a series of seminars looking at land use, water management and innovation in Maori agribusiness.
Entries in the Fieldays No 8 Wire awards will also be on display as will the latest in rural inventions at the Innovation Centre.

There's plenty to buy from clothing to plants to gift ware and gadgets. Fieldays are a great way to spend a day or four - fron June 13 to 16.