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“This year’s event has been incredibly positive, with great attendance from our farming community. Many of our merchants and suppliers have noticed a buoyancy in the market this year, with plenty of interest in the many farm-related products and services being showcased,” says Ruralco CEO, Tony Aitken. 

More than 2,500 people attended the event which has been running for 31 years and has been likened to a mini field days with over 80 exhibitors on site in Ashburton, and multiple merchants participating from their own stores. 

“Our focus this year has been on staying local and on strengthening our local connections as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting Mid Canterbury farmers. We have certainly achieved that, and it has also been great to see these connections realise sales for ourselves and our merchants and suppliers. It shows some real confidence starting to return to the farming sector and that is great for the whole district,” says Tony. 

“We work hard to focus on what matters most, lowering the cost of farm inputs for our local farmers. We do that by providing great deals and by connecting our members with the products, knowledge and innovations that support their business, helping prepare for the season ahead.” 

This year’s Best Exhibitor Site winners reflect that sentiment, with Best Retail Site winner, long-term Instore Days attendees, Skellerup Dairy, promoting their new Thriver teat range, while Best Partner Site winner, Resene, chose Instore Days as the best vehicle to make a presence in the rural sector to showcase its paint systems designed for dairy sheds. 

These awards are keenly contested each year, with guest judges assessing the sites against display, innovation and knowledge criteria. Retail Site runner up was Gallagher, and Partner Site runner up was Tanglez Hair Studio. This year’s judges were Ruralco Independent Director, Bruce McEwen; Rochelle Castle Wilson of Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust; and long-time Ruralco members Evan Chisnall, Matt and Julia Paton. 

“It’s wonderful to see our merchants and supplier partners come together to deliver real value for our members and help us create an event that celebrates the importance and innovation of agriculture,” says Tony. 

Instore Days has become a cornerstone event in Mid Canterbury, providing a great opportunity to bring together farmers, merchants, and suppliers in a genuinely valuable way. Ruralco was founded by Mid Canterbury farmers in 1963 looking to lower input costs for their farming operations and that local ownership and core focus remain just as strong as we look to the future, says Tony.