From the latest agricultural technology and ground-breaking innovations, to shopping, competitions,  demonstrations and live shows showcasing the best of New Zealand’s primary industries – yes, the New Zealand National Fieldays is here.

And this June 13-16 Fieldays – the largest agricultural event in the Southern Hemisphere on an 114ha at Mystery Creek – is celebrating its 50^th anniversary.

This year’s theme ‘the future of farming’ will examine agricultural trends and ideas for the future while celebrating the wide-ranging contributions Fieldays has made to the agricultural industry since its inception in 1968.

So whether you’re from the country or the city, don’t miss it! More than 1440 sites and 1000-plus exhibitors will display products, services, experiments and ideas on everything that features agriculture, horticulture and country living at its best.

Plus there’s a huge variety of events, competitions and showcases to appeal to one and all.

So apart from heading to all your must-see exhibitors – here’s some of the top things to see at Fieldays.

The Kitchen Theatre has a line-up of top chefs, set up with functional kitchens, demonstrate the paddock to dinner plate philosophy.

Culinary presentations feature delicious recipes and professional techniques while guest chefs and presenters introduce foods derived from various sources including ingenious advances in precision and sustainable farming techniques, inspired scientific technological development and the natural environment.

Watch mud fly at the noisy Tractor Pull Competitions. Contestants battle it out in three different classes – the weight transfer class is a battle of grunt, while speed fanatics can get their fix watching the weight adjusted class with the first to 100m winning.

And the modified tractors are a must-see for all visitors as the showmen of Tractor Pull take to the track with up to 800hp each. Visitors can sit in the grandstand for prime viewing.

Competition fencing has been part of Fieldays since the event began. So it’s worth checking out The New Zealand National Fencing Championships, which showcases NZ’s top fencers in a match of skill, speed, endurance and sheer tenacity.  There’s also fencing demonstrations daily from 10am-3.30pm.

Fieldays Rural Catch has replaced the former Fieldays Rural Bachelor competition and is intent on finding the best single rural man or woman. Four guys and four gals will take on daily challenges at Fieldays to test their skills both on and off the farm, as they compete for the title and a $20,000-plus prize pool and the ‘Golden Gumboot’ trophy.

The innovation Centre has all latest developments in agricultural technology that will shape farming practices and the future of NZ primary industries. And here, you can see more than 60 entrants promoting their inventions in the Innovation Awards.

And stop by the Health Hub – it may save your life! Fieldays Health and Wellbeing covers topics from cancer detection and treatment, rural mental health and wellbeing through to services to support youth.

So set the alarm for early, layer up your clothing for all weather conditions, grab your backpack, cellphone, a drink bottle, some comfy footwear, download the new Fieldays app, and sort out your bus, boat, helicopter or car-ride there. We’ll see you there!