“Expect to be out of your comfort zone and to think outside of the box.”
That’s the message from NZ Young Farmers Otago Southland convenor, Josh Bennett, to contestants polishing up their skills ahead of this year’s regional finals event set to take place on Saturday 7 February at the Gore A&P Showgrounds.
While contestants can expect to be put through their paces – as usual – event organisers are ensuring there will be plenty to keep contestants on their toes as they make their way through a series of tough challenges designed to test their practical skills, technical knowledge, and ability to work fast under pressure.
26-year-old Harry McCallum has put his hat in the ring for the second time for a chance to win FMG Young Farmer of the Year, three years after his first stint at a Regional Final in Dunedin. The Te Anau Young Farmers Club Chair hopes to inspire his local community to get amongst it in the future.
McCallum has grown the club from eight members to 40 since the club came out of recession in 2022.
“It’s all about having a go,” McCallum says. “I’m the only one competing from Te Anau this year. We’re all homebodies and love our area, but next season, I hope to see half a dozen going to Regionals.”
Spending the last few months focusing on his weaknesses, the sheep and beef farmer has been studying hard to prepare for the upcoming modules as well as brushing up his general farming knowledge.
McCallum says his motivation for entering this year was just to give it a decent crack – and rumour has it there’s some stiff family competition.
“I will admit, it’s also a competition between me and my brother, who’s also one of the top eight regional finalists. The pressure is on to beat him,” he laughs.
“But at the end of the day, what’s most important to me is shining a light on what we’re doing at Te Anau Young Farmers Club and making our community proud as they cheer us on from home.”
Bennett says contestants like McCallum need to be ready to endure both physically and mentally.
“Our regional finalists need to have a strong understanding of day-to-day farm life – and have some knowledge around sustainable farming, too.”
The FMG Young Farmer of the Year is a highlight in the rural calendar, boasting a strong track record of showcasing the rising stars in New Zealand’s food and fibre sector – igniting contestants’ competitive streak and setting the bar for excellence in farming.
NZ Young Farmers CEO Cheyne Gillooly says the long-standing contest is well-loved in Otago Southland and around the country because it gives talented young farmers space to shine in the spotlight and connect with like-minded peers, which can be hard to do in the industry.
“With our AgriKidsNZ events for primary-aged competitors and FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year competitions running alongside the Regional Finals Young Farmers event, collectively the day is a true celebration of agriculture and the people who drive it – with a healthy dose of competition of course,” says Gillooly.
This year, 12 primary schools, and 9 high schools from Otago/Southland have thrown their hat in the ring.
Bennett says while there is an emphasis on sheep and beef farming in the Otago and Southland region, challenges will offer a taste of each sector to keep contestants on their toes.
“My advice to them would be to just give it a red-hot crack. You’ll never know your own limits if you don’t try something different.”
The FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest is proudly supported by FMG, Ravensdown, MPI, Milwaukee, Honda, Lincoln University, PTS, New Holland, Bushbuck and ACC.
For more information on the regional finals across Aotearoa visit youngfarmers.co.nz/contest/regional-finals