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The changing face of rural land use is bringing to an end a 67-year-old tradition for the Te Puke district this weekend.

Today is the second day of the 2014 Te Puke Sheep Dog Trial Club's trials on a farm at Pukehina and will be the last on that site, says Lindsay Wright.

A battle of wits between dog and sheep during the Te Puke Sheep Dog Trial Club's trials at Pukehina.

'For 67 years we have held trials on this farm but Te Puke is now a dairying and kiwifruit district and we have to truck in sheep for the competition – so next year we are moving to where the sheep are – probably at Manawahe or Rotorua.”

Yesterday and today from 7am to dark 80 shepherds test their skills, and those of their dogs, against crafty Romney sheep.

The shepherds from Rotorua, King Country, Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Rotorua include those with years of experience, and new comers who compete on what is described as one of the best trial courses in the country.

It includes steep hills, and flat areas which tests the communications and skills of dogs and shepherds as they work to move and pen sheep under the watchful eyes of judges from the King Country and Hawkes bay.

'We invite the public to come along and watch, bring a picnic and make a day of it, but food will also be available to purchase on site,” says Lindsay.

Catering is provided by the parents of the Pukehina School whose homebaking is legendary among dog trialists.

There's no admission charge. To find the trial site, drive south of Paengaroa towards Whakatane on State Highway 2, turn into Pukehina Station Road to Pukehina School and follow the sigh posts.