The annual Fieldays event at Mystery Creek made dreams come true. This year, the coveted Isuzu D-Max LX double cab 4WD ute, valued at over $63,990, was awarded to Daniel Neil, a dairy farmer from the rural town of Piopio.
The news came as a shock to Daniel, who initially thought it was a joke when he received the call from Peter Nation, CEO of the New Zealand National Fieldays Society. "When I told my wife Gina, she thought I was having her on! The kids were excited but not sure whether to believe it or not," Daniel shared.
The Isuzu D-Max, with its 3.5-tonne tow rating, 140kW of power, and 450Nm of torque, is said to be well-suited to the demands of Daniel's farm and family life.
The Neils milk 430 Friesian cross cows on a leased 240-hectare dairy farm, with an additional 120 hectares for dairy support and beef. The ute will undoubtedly be put to good use, navigating the farm's hilly terrain, towing equipment, and transporting kids and animals. Daniel is also looking forward to testing its towing capabilities with the family caravan.
"The Isuzu will definitely be put through its paces with farm life," Daniel affirmed. "There's always something to tow or pick up and plenty of hills on the farm to climb."
A regular at Fieldays for over a decade, Daniel attended this year's event with his brother and two local farming mates. He purchased his ticket in advance and used the Fieldays App to navigate the event and find exhibitors and food courts.
"I go to Fieldays for a day off the farm," Daniel explained. "It’s interesting to see what innovation, technology, and equipment is out there and what could work for us in our farming operation. It's also a chance to catch up with our rural providers, like the bank."
Peter Nation expressed his delight at Daniel's win, stating, "It's always a joy to make that phone call, especially when you hear the disbelief turn into excitement."
For Daniel Neil and his family, this win is not just about a new vehicle but also about enhancing their lifestyle and making their hard work on the farm a little bit easier.
