Gore District Council parks officer John Ave has been preparing the turf for the 2018 Farmlands Cup at the Southern Field Days site at Waimumu.

There's a lone sheep chewing on the turf that's being prepared for a clash between Super Rugby teams.

The lush field stands out amongst the surrounding paddocks at Waimumu that have burnt off in the harsh summer sun.

It's taken Gore District Council parks officer John Ave and his team a year of preparation to get Fred Booth Park – named after the farmer who owns the land – ready for the Farmlands Cup game between the Highlanders and Crusaders on February 15, during Southern Field Days.

Rachael Kelly/Stuff Gore District Council parks officer John Ave is mowing Fred Booth park three times a week to prepare it for the Farmlands Cup clash between the Highlanders and Crusaders at Southern Field Days.

"We started in March with some reseeding and then we aerated it and fertilised it in September. The grass didn't really start growing until November.

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Rachael Kelly/Stuff Gore District Council parks officer John Ave has been preparing the turf for the 2018 Farmlands Cup at the Southern Field Days site at Waimumu.

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Ave helped prepare the pitch for the first Farmlands Cup game two years ago. Between times, sheep and cattle have grazed on the ground.

The Gore District Council assists the Southern Field Days committee to prepare the ground because they "have the right gear for the job."

"You wouldn't want to do it with an ag tractor and our seeder is far narrower than what you'd use on a farm."

He's confident the playing surface will be up to scratch when the teams meet in a fortnight's time.

"There were some bare patches last time but there is considerably more grass for this game. They require the grass to be between 35mm and 50mm and we're going for the longer length to keep the moisture in it.

"The ground won't be as hard this time, we've done a lot of rolling and preparation and we'll water it just prior to the game."

With the nearby towns of Gore and Mataura on water restrictions Ave has one eye on the heavens, hoping for rain, but the ground has only been irrigated once so far.

It's being mowed three times a week, but unlike other Super Rugby pitches there's some clover and chicory poking up in the Kakanui grass.

"It's a farm after all. There will be sheep or cattle back on here after the game."

The embankment is still knee high in burnt grass and the odd thistle but it will be topped by the Field Days team prior to the game.

The last Farmlands Cup game at Waimumu ended in a 19-all draw in front of a 10,000 strong crowd.

Ave said it was "pretty cool" watching the teams play on a pitch he'd prepared.

"It was quite nerve racking and I was quite worried about the lack of grass. The locals all keep an eye on you preparing it and have a bit of input."

His prediction for this time around?

"I'd like to say the Highlanders but being the champions the Crusaders are bringing some pretty good form. It'll be a good game."