Although the shadow of recession still lurks in some rural corners, many exhibitors at the 15th Southern Field Days at Waimumu, near Gore, are optimistic they can persuade customers to spend.
The Southern Field Days is the biggest such event in the South Island, and gates opened for the first of three days yesterday. Although a quiet start was reported, there was a good crowd and most exhibitors seemed optimistic about bucking the trend of recent years and making some good sales.
Invercargill's Southland Farm Machinery's Nathan McKenzie was looking forward to a "positive" three days.
"There has been interest in everything and we are attracting good numbers [to the site]," he said.
"We have made a couple of sales this morning but it has been mainly interest at this stage.
"They tend to look at us first then go around and come back."
Invercargill's JJ Ltd manager Paul Jones said he thought the first day had gone well for the company.
"There seems to be a lot of people around and we have already got some names to follow up," Mr Jones said.
Power Farming-Ganders Southland manager Ted Dons said the company had also made a good start.
"We've already sold a tractor and a wrapper this morning."
Mr Dons said the overcast skies and damp conditions underfoot had encouraged farmers to visit the field days rather than spend the day making hay.
Even exhibitors selling luxury goods such as motorhomes and boats were reporting a steady stream of interested people to their sites.
UCC Motorhomes owner Rob Floris, of Christchurch, said there had been some "really good genuine interest" in his vehicles. Invercargill's Marine South Ltd representative Mark Ruddenklau said people had been looking at the company's boats and some had upgraded motors and bought accessories.
Field days committee secretary Nicky Eade was pleased with the first day although she did not want to guess at visitor numbers.
"We have about 600 exhibitors and we have already had some good feedback," Mrs Eade said.
Visitors yesterday were able to watch a tractor pull and working demonstrations.
Today will feature a young farmers fencing competition.
Stihl timbersports world champion Jason Wynyard, of Auckland, yesterday showed his skills with chainsaws in a demonstration match against Dunedin student Bobby Dowling (22), one of the youngest members of the New Zealand Axemen team.
