Top young farmers compete

Eight of New Zealand’s top young farmers will battle it out at this years’ Waikato/Bay of Plenty Regional Final of the ANZ Young Farmer Contest in Paeroa on April 11.

The winners of district competitions are competing for a place at the grand final in Taupo in July featuring more than $155,000 in prizes.

The skills of eight young farmers will be well and truly tested when they compete in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Regional Final of the ANZ Young Farmer Contest.

The winners of district competitions are competing for a place at the grand final in Taupo in July featuring more than $155,000 in prizes.

The regional finalists are: Dwayne Cowin (Taupo), Fergus King (Matamata), Wayne Hofmann (Waihi), Brady Mitchell (Reporoa), Josh Macdonald (Karaka), Thomas Harliwich (Te Awamutu), James Bryan (Cambridge) and Jono Singer (Morrinsville).

The eight contestants will show their skills across a range of tasks in the practical day challenges at the Paeroa Racecourse starting at 8am. The day, free to the public, is fast-paced and physical with sporting and agricultural skills demonstrated alongside business know-how. 

They will then compete at an evening show at Paeroa War Memorial Hall which will include quiz rounds on specialist topics and general knowledge.  Doors for the show open at 5.30pm and the show starts at 7pm.

James Booker, convenor of the regional competition, says this is the first time the regional final has been held in Paeroa.

“This is a great opportunity for people in the region to see first-hand the specialist knowledge and skills that our local farmers and future rural leaders possess,” says James.

“There is definitely plenty to see. In the past we’ve tested the skills of competitors in sheep shearing; operation of heavy machinery; fencing; and butchery – who knows what you’ll get this year.

“These guys have put months of work into preparing for this competition and it would be great if their local communities could get in behind them and get along to some of the competition,” says James.

“All eight are strong competitors, which bodes well for the region. We’ve got a home grand final in Taupo and there is a strong possibility that, come July, we’ll see yet another grand final champion hailing from the Waikato/Bay of Plenty.”

For more details and for tickets to the regional final visit www.youngfarmercontest.co.nz

Contestant details:

Fergus King (27), Ngarua Young Farmers Club, finished fifth in last year’s regional final and is an equity sharemilker on a 143ha farm near Matamata. 

Wayne Hofmann (28) Waihi Young Farmers Club competed in 2011 and 2013 regional finals. The Massey graduate is a dairy farm worker who milks 130 cows near Waihi.

Brady Mitchell (29) of Reporoa came fourth in last year’s regional final. He and wife Amber, with Amber’s parents, bought a 142ha dairy farm in Reporoa this season. Before that they were contract milkers.

Josh Macdonald (23) North Waikato Young Farmers Club, has competed at one regional final and also at district level. He and his wife Aleshia are 50:50 sharemilkers with 180 cows near Karaka.

Thomas Harliwich (23) Te Kawa West Young Farmers Club, competed in last year’s regional final. The Lincoln graduate is second in charge on a 730 cow dairy farm in Te Awamutu.

Dwayne Cowin (29) Reporoa Young Farmer’ Club, is an ANZ Young Farmer Contest veteran, having competed in regional finals from 2011-2014 and competing in the 2014 grand final. The Massey University graduate is a livestock operations manager for Lochinver Station near Taupo.

James Bryan (29) Cambridge Young Farmers Club. This is James’ fourth year entering the ANZ Young Farmers’ Contest. He competed at Regional Final level in 2012.The Lincoln graduate works for Ravensdown as a technical manager, agronomy.

Jono Singer (28) Hauraki Young Farmers Club. This is Jono’s second year competing in the Young Farmer Contest, having competed at district level two years ago. Jono is a contract milker in Morrinsville.


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