Premier farming event has a global appeal
At least seven companies from New Zealand will be among the 650 exhibitors at the event, which has attracted commercial interest from Ireland, Britain and elsewhere in Europe.
New Zealand Agritech selected the ploughing championships as a place for it to market and broaden its business in Europe.
Agritech chief executive officer John Wilson, who had attended the showpiece event, was impressed with its lay-out and attendances and accordingly booked trade space for exhibits from New Zealand, which will include equipment for the handling and feeding of animals.
Some 20 people from New Zealand will staff the stands, which are expected to be visited by the NZ Trade Organisation’s David Powell, and Alan McCarthy, the country’s Hon. Consul General in Ireland.
In a year when machinery manufacturers are taking careful stock of their investment in exhibitions, the National Ploughing Association said it was delighted to have 14 makes of tractor on display in Ballacolla, including some made in China.
These would also be a comprehensive range of other farm machinery.
NPA press officer Anna Marie McHugh said the association was pleased with the commercial interest shown in this year’s event by exhibitors at home and from abroad.
Ms McHugh said exhibitors saw the championships as an important and worthwhile shop window for displaying their machinery and other products.
“Trade stand bookings are on a par with previous years,” she said yesterday, as preparation of the site continued at Ballacolla, which will be host to more than 100,000 visitors over the three days of the event.
A brochure detailing the programme of events and exhibitions at this year’s championships is being distributed throughout Ireland and in up to 30 countries.
RTE will also attend the ploughing as an exhibitor for the first time this year, as part of a special celebration to mark 40 years of television.
The focal point of its display will be a specially-commissioned documentary taken from archives, giving a glimpse of the early days of Irish television.
Meanwhile, the Irish team for the World Ploughing Championships in Belchasse, Switzerland, continued with its preparations there yesterday.
John Treacy, from Carlow, and Sean Keating, from Wexford, will compete against the best ploughmen of 28 countries when the championships take place on Sunday and Monday.
