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China - June

This is always a truly fascinating tour that everyone enjoys.  As well as sighting the incredible pace of development in China, because it is a farmer’s tour, the group travelled into the rural areas and met and talked to both traditional and progressive farmers. This is the real gem of the tour - going into their homes, seeing how they live and experiencing their lifestyles first hand.

They visited some very large farming enterprises and experienced the history and culture of China with visits such as the Great Wall, Buried Army, Suzhou ‘Venice of the Orient’ and more.  Everyone did a three-day cruise on the Yangtze River and  experienced the beautiful Guilin area before returning home with a lot of happy memories.

UK/Ireland - June/July

The group spent the first three days in London where some watched the Trooping of the Colour, and everyone had the opportunity to enjoy the sights. Farming visits included deer, different types of beef, dairy and sheep farms, piggery and wild boar breeder, falconry, an international sheepdog breeder, arable farms, famous horse stud and more. They learnt about the milk industry in UK, the rules and regulations that farmers have to deal with, the restructuring some of the Irish Dairy Coops have undergone, and the future of farming in UK/Ireland. A lot of country was covered with many farm lunches and some farms stays.

Some of the magnificent historic sights visited were Hereford Cathedral, home to Mappa Mundi and the Chained Library, Tatton Park, home to the third largest UK garden show, the Book of Kells, created in 800AD at Trinity College and Kylemore Abbey and Gardens. In all, thirty-three days of fun, friendship, history, culture, farming and learning. Another thoroughly enjoyed tour.

Fashion in the Field at Royal Highland Show

Canada/Alaska - July

This year a group of Australian farmers again joined the tour. The group gained an understanding of the main agricultural enterprises in Canada and how they compare with New Zealand and Australian systems of production. They also looked at the markets for agricultural produce in Canada and the implications for New Zealand exports.  Interesting farming operations were visited, and with a mix of seeing some of the best sights Canada has to offer, this was yet another very successful and fun tour.

South Africa - August

Another super tour with a variety of farm visits and once again everyone saw the Big 5.

To whet your appetite for the great destinations we have for you in 2010 read on...

Central/Eastern Europe - May/June

This general farming tour takes you from New Zealand to Berlin; through Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and an optional add on to the Ukraine. We took this tour (except the Ukraine extension) in 2002 for dairy farmers and in 2004 for deer farmers. Fascinating countries to visit and a superb opportunity to see first hand how the former Eastern Block countries have integrated into the European Union.

Farmers Tour to China - June

This is an exciting opportunity to experience so much of China from the bustling cities of Beijing and Shanghai to the remote grasslands of Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang Province.  Lots of history and culture to experience, meet the farming families and see how agricultural production and processing is being modernised.

Accommodation is in 4 star hotels, excellent English-speaking guides, interesting farm and agricultural industry visits plus all the magnificent sights including the Great Wall, Buried Army, Forbidden City and more.

This tour has been very popular so do register your interest early.

Central Europe for Fruitgrowers - June

By popular request horticulturist Win Heuser will be leading this tour to the intriguing fruit growing regions of Central Europe visiting Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Northern Italy and Germany.  A unique opportunity to study all aspects of pip fruit, berry fruit and stone fruit including the research, production, machinery and marketing. Win knows many people in the fruit industry in Europe so this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Ranches of the Rockies - July

Arrive in Denver, at the foot of the Rockie Mountains to begin this magnificent tour as you experience the ‘wild west’ and its history in the USA with magnificent ranch visits, superb scenery and delectable food to add so much to this tour.  Enjoy America’s famous Glacier National Park, stay in a huge log hotel, and hear the interesting stories of national parks in their early days.  Our USA tour guide is a 35-year veteran of taking visitors to the Glacier National Park and says there is no better day in America than the day you climb up and over the Continental Divide in an historic restored ‘Red Bus’ built in the 1930’s.  But wait there is more - the tour continues from Montana to Alberta in Canada to enjoy the sights and sounds of the famous Calgary Stampede.  The Grandstand Show and rodeo are included in the package.  Believe me – they are everything you have heard about and more.  You can end your tour with an optional cruise to Alaska through the Inside Passage.

Boots on parade

Farmers Tour to Canada/Alaska - July

It really is a magnificent and popular tour so we are offering a similar tour to last year.  The tour is a good insight into farming in Canada as well as seeing the sights and enjoying the culture.  Travel through Ontario, Quebec and Alberta, British Columbia.  Experience the world famous Calgary Stampede, visit Vancouver Island and to top it off if you wish, you can join a cruise to Alaska through the Inside Passage.

Deer Farmers Tour to China- July

As the World Deer Farmers Congress is being held in Changchun in July 2010 we are taking a tour to China to include the Congress.  As well as visiting deer farms in China and learning about the market for deer products you will see many of the sights and experience the culture of China that have been a feature of our popular tours to this amazing country.  We are also planning with Deer Industry New Zealand a pre-Congress tour to Taiwan, Korea and Dalian/Xin Feng in China.  Please get your registration in now for this tour.

South Africa Farming & Wildlife Tour - August

If you have not been able to travel with us to South Africa before, then don’t miss out in 2010.  A truly magnificent tour covering Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Pretoria, sheep farms, beef farms and of course the magnificent game reserves – Kruger, Tshukudu, Lion Sands.  Everyone is blown away by the luxurious accommodation on this tour. An optional extension that you won’t want to miss is to continue to Botswana and see all the elephants, hippos, crocodiles etc you would ever want to see.  We enjoy safari game drives with experienced guides and get to see the wildlife both up close and in their own natural environment.  Cross the Zambesi to Zambia to see the Victoria Falls and stay in Livingstone for a night before returning to South Africa.  Just so many wonderful photo opportunities.

So if you have not told us already please let us know if you would like to join us on one of these adventures.

We can also offer some alternative tours in 2010 that are being arranged by our Australian colleagues.  If you are interested in any of these tours please contact us:

• China - April/May
• South Africa - May
• UK/Ireland - May/June
• South America - September