Thousands flock to Ashburton A&P

Rakaia Playcentre children and siblings Savarnah Crawley (2), David Scott (5), Billie Wiseman (4), Josh Green (5, up top), Jax Page (3), and Ben Scott (1), get up close to the JCB Fastrack tractor at the Townshend Agricultural Contracting site. Photos:...

Ben Tarbotton, of Stuart Tarbotton Contractors, sets a grader in place on a model of ''irrigation over the years'' display at the company site.

Ashburton A&P president David Butterick and Mid Canterbury irrigation companies’ representatives ALIL general manager Rebecca Whillans, BCI chief executive officer John Wright, Irrigo Centre environmental manager Eva Harris, Agriculture minister Damien...

Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust manager Judy Skevington, M.bovis response welfare co-ordinator Angela Cushnie and chairman Peter Reveley made themselves available at the show for people wanting to drop in for a chat.

EA Networks electrical inspectors Dave Peacock and David Walters give advice and answer questions about power supply, including generator connection safety.

Otaio Bridge Alpacas’ Jacob van Neuren lets Sophie Hart (9), and Sophie Clucas (8), feel the wool of Rimu the alpaca at the Ashburton A&P Show.

The value of irrigation to Mid Canterbury's landowners was showcased to the thousands of people visiting the 141st annual Ashburton A&P Show on Friday and Saturday.

The show's theme was ''Irrigation, the life blood of Mid Canterbury'', as chosen by A&P president David Butterick, and was displayed at different sites around the grounds.

A visual display of irrigation in action was set up in the A&P Association president's tent by Mid Canterbury irrigation companies: Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation (BCI), Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Ltd (ALIL), Methven Hinds Valetta Water (MHV) and Irrigo Centre staff on site.

It showed irrigation in the region over the years, and the environmental management of water use. Agricultural minister Damien O'Connor was on site, for a couple of hours on Friday.

He took time to meet wool representatives and promote the $40 million Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures investment fund, which was open for business.

Children from rural preschools around the district also visited to see the wonders of the show.

Central Rural Life

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