Thousands flock to Ashburton A&P Show

Rakaia Playcentre children Savarnah Crawley, David Scott, Billie Wiseman, Josh Green, Jax Page, and Ben Scott, get up close to the JCB Fastrack tractor.

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.

David Butterick and Rebecca Whillans, John Wright, Eva Harris, Agriculture minister Damien O'Connor.

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.

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

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.

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

Central Rural Life

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.