In the profound words of architect Graeme North, “there is no limit to human ingenuity.”

It was therefore heartening to see during an exhibition of long-standing, which inevitably risks becoming monotonous as a result, that Kiwi ingenuity is alive and kicking.

The innovations section of Fieldays this year was full of the kind of lateral thinking Kiwis are renowned for, and all solidly turned into working prototypes, for the public to observe, comment and vote on.

The dairy industry has played a prominent role in encouraging those with an inventive streak to try something new, and this year’s exhibits were no exception.

Methods of washing cow’s udders from outer space, whilst sipping gin and tonic, may not quite have reached perfection, but they must be getting close. It only remains for NASA to be informed.

On second thoughts, perhaps not.

Adaptation seems to be the theme with so much invention, and simplicity the key to making an idea workable.

An ordinary gate fastener, for example, only needs a slight ‘twist’ to become a security link with the addition of a large padlock.

The needs of the dairy and horse industry to move electric fences around has led to a simple device for storing rolls of fence handily, in the paddock, instantly available.

At last, someone has come up with a simple, solar-powered device to read the level of water in any remote water trough.

The inventors have been over-whelmed with enquiries, the majority from people wanting them to monitor their water tanks, presumably in the ‘wake’ of the 2010 drought.

How many of us have struggled, (and cursed) to disengage a horse float or trailer from the truck?

It’s an operation that really requires about five hands, but a new lever means two-handed operation. One to screw the jockey wheel down, and the other to flick the lever which will open the handle above the coupler, at the right moment.

Equally useful when re-engaging, and as a back-saving device, ACC should be installing them by the dozen. 

We may not think in terms of vehicles with tracks requiring extra traction, but the inventors of some simple steel bars for this purpose had a good video demonstrating just how difficult conditions can be.

Rain and clay can conspire to make ground all but impassable for heavy, tracked vehicles, but these bars, in varying profiles, bolted onto the tracks can mean the difference between losing a vehicle until conditions change, or getting on with the job.

Time did not permit Rural Living to cover every aspect of Fieldays.

After last year, the weather gods had shone for the event in 2010, and the crowds seemed to be enjoying themselves.

With so many demonstrations, and a brace of helicopters making continuous flights for overhead shots, there was little excuse not to.

As Rural Living left, highly talented dog-trainer Chelsea Marriner was in full swing, demonstrating the incredible tricks she has taught her dogs. The very large crowd were rapt, and Rural Living predicts an international star in the making.