"If you're going to grow it, you may as well show it."

That’s the message from Mid Canterbury’s A&P Associations as the Ashburton, Methven, and Mayfield Winter Feed Competitions return as key highlights on the autumn farming calendar.

Organiser Andrew Mackenzie of the Mayfield A&P Association  says the competitions are a great excuse to get off the farm and connect with like-minded people.

“There’s a lot to learn on the day, and it’s a good opportunity to look around and see what others are doing — plus, you’re supporting your local A&P Association,” he says.

While he acknowledges the competitive nature of the sector, Mackenzie emphasises that farmers don’t need to worry about giving away their trade secrets.

“You don’t have to tell the judges what you’ve done to your paddock or how much urea you’ve used,” he said.

“No one’s trying to steal secrets. It’s simply about what’s in the paddock on the day.”

There’s a strong incentive to enter, with approximately $6,000 worth of prizes up for grabs.

“We’re well supported by agri-chemical companies,” Mackenzie explains.

“There’s a lot of product available, as well as drilling and supply vouchers from Farmlands.”

Mayfield competitors will enjoy a social lunch on May 8 at the PGG Wrightson depot, hosted in partnership with Bayer.

The Mayfield prizegiving will follow that evening at The Panthers Rock, with complimentary refreshments sponsored by Ravensdown.

“We need people to come along to the prizegiving, hear the winners announced, and show their support,” Mackenzie said.

He’s expecting around 40 paddock entries in Mayfield across the four categories of fodderbeet, rape, cereals, swedes with Jo Morgan from Ravensdown collating entries.

“Jo has been absolutely instrumental in running the event over the nine years I have been involved,” Mackenzie said.

District finals categories comprise of fodderbeet, and  brassica,  along with a Judges’ Choice award.

Each year the finals include a target crop section, and  this year oat growers get their time in the lime-light.

Finalists from the three regional events will go head-to-head for the Ashburton District Regional Category Winner title, with judging set for May 20.

Each crop will be assessed by Canterbury Feed Assessments, and judged by representatives from each association and Ravensdown.

This year, Mayfield has the honour of hosting the regional finals.

The winners will be announced at a prizegiving dinner  at Stronechrubie Restaurant in Mount Somers, also on May 20, with special guest speaker Hamish Marr, New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy.

Winter Feed Competition Key Dates:

Ashburton: May 5–6

Mayfield: May 7–8

Methven: May 12–13

Ashburton District Finals May 20

Information can be found on the Ashburton, Mayfield and Methven A&P Association Facebook pages.

By Claire Inkson