PIES and sustainable farming will be on the menu at a farming Innovation Day at Pikowai next month.

Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers president Brent Mountfort said there was already a lot of interest in the October 2 event.

The three formal speakers are Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay, who will speak about trade and farming regulations, the Ballance Agri-Nutrients innovation team, who will talk about sustainable farming and fertiliser use, and a representative from insurer FMG.

In addition to the speakers, staff from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council will be on hand to talk about riparian planting and wetlands.

Mr Mountfort said Gallagher would provide information about cow collars, water monitoring and in-paddock weighing systems; Forsyth-Barr would provide investment advice and ANZ would be there for banking advice.

Yamaha and AEG would be there to talk about their farming-related products, along with staff from MPI’s On Farm Support team.

Mr Mountfort said the Innovation Day would be structured, but not formal.

It was free and open to all farmers.

“There will be something for everyone and it’s a great opportunity to catch up with people.

“FMG has organised the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union’s pie cart, so there will be Maketu Pies and other goodies.

“And Mark Mexted from AFFCO and the Plains Butchery will supply venison sausages for us to enjoy.”

The Innovation Day will be held at Carol and David Hodge’s farm, 411 Pikowai Road, Whakatāne, from 11am to 2.30pm.