Dairy farmer from Aka Aka goes back to back winning Northern Regional Final for the second time
“It’s an amazing competition with history over 50 years. This is my last time I am able to compete so I am going to give it my all”.
Justin Ruygrok, 29 from Aka Aka, was announced as the winner of the Northern FMG Young Farmer of the Year on Saturday evening in Franklin, after spending the day competing in a series of challenges at the Pukekohe A&P Society during the day. He’s gone back to back with his wins after making it through to Grand Final last year 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 agriculture.
“I felt like I went pretty good on Saturday. My time management was good and I felt like I did the best I could!”.
Three age-based categories were featured in the competition. Primary school pupils tackled AgriKids NZ, high school students competed for the FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year title, while eight finalists battled for the coveted Young Farmer of the Year crown.
Ruygrok secured the top spot ahead of Daniel Richards from Kaipara Young Farmers and Kieran McCahon (Whangarei Young Farmers) who took out 3rd.
The competition featured 5 grueling challenges including the always intense Agri-Sports and an intense ‘buzzer-style’ quiz that rewarded quick thinking. Each task was crafted to expose how well contestants could apply their practical skills and technical knowledge while working against the clock.
Ruygrok had a great day out in the practical day, making sure to keep a good speed throughout the day and getting that time management down pact.
It was a great day in Pukekohe with the weather holding long enough for the competitors to finish Practical Day and dive head first into the evening show.
“There were some tough moments, but I managed to get the job done. Can’t say I’ve built a planter box out of a pallet before but I was happy with how it looked in the end”.
“I’ve had a tough start to the year and didn’t get as much prep as I would have liked going into the Regional, but the network is there and that helped me a lot”.
The AgriKids NZ competition saw New Zealand’s youngest farmers share their new-generation know-how across a series of modules, with the top teams then competing in the infamous race off.
The Northland Cowgirls (consisting of Devon Parry, Chloe Dickson and Stella Watts, from Glenbervie School) took out the AgriKids Northern title. 2nd place went to the Dairy Kings from Ngunguru School (Beau Parry, Tohu Harding and Jack Jeeves). And rounding out the top 3, Half the Kids from Waiotira Primary (Lilla Anne Neumann, Margaret Ellen Neumann and Anita Lesley Neumann)
Meanwhile, Liam Bleakley and Pippa Meagher from Rodney College took out the Junior Young Farmer of the Year title for Northern securing themselves a spot at Grand Final. They will be joined by Cayden Taylor (from Tuakau College) and Andrew Harris (from St Peters). Wyatt Parry (Whangarei Boys) and Georgie Palmer (2nd School) came in third.
Along with Ruygrok, the top 3 AgriKids NZ and top 2 FMG Junior teams will now compete in July’s Grand Final in New Plymouth.
Going into Grand Final now, it requires a lot of preparation but luckily Ruygrok has a good support team.
“Now with the Regional done I’ll be straight into the books studying up on my agriknowledge and practicing any farming skills I wouldn’t normally encounter. I’ll be looking to lean on my networks going into Grand Final”.
“I’ve also had the least amount of time to prepare for Grand Final compared to my competitors, so I know I need to go big”.
New Zealand Young Farmers CEO Cheyne Gillooly says it’s been great to see friends, family, and Young Farmers club members supporting their fellow contestants, with Season 58 turning over the highest attendance of entrants in recent years.
“FMG Young Farmer of the Year is a true celebration of agriculture and the people who drive it. From the youngest contestant just beginning, to the oldest who is giving it their last shot, the strength in which people show up for their community makes me so proud of what Young Farmers represents.”
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.
ENDS
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