Over the course of the competition, the Reporoa Young Farmer and previous banker performed well across both technical and practical facets of the contest and took out the AGMARDT Agri-Business Challenge, where contestants face a tough technical exam, as well as the Ravensdown Agri-Skills Challenge made up of modules to test competitors on a range practical skills.
The display of diverse knowledge means Mr French goes on to represent the Waikato/Bay Region, with the Reporoa Young Farmers Clubs' enthusiasm now driving the entire region to get behind their man. They are already sourcing 'French-themed' attire for the grand final in July.
For his win, Mr French takes home $12,500 in prizes, including a Honda XR150 motorbike and $1000 cash reward from FMG.
Mr O'Mahoney, 27, was in his first regional final. He also took home the Massey University Agri-Growth Challenge for his interview skills and in true Irish fashion credited his strengths to be 'the luck of the Irish and an easy-going attitude'.
Tim Mason rounded out the top three. In his final year of competing, the 30-year-old entrepreneur also took home the Agri-Sports Challenge.
Waihi Young Farmer and experienced competitor Wayne Hofmann won the Meridian Energy Agri-knowledge challenge, but was unable to make the top three.
The Grand Final of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year will take place on July 6-8 in the Manawatu, with seven Grand Finalists from around New Zealand including Otago/Southland's Nigel Woodhead, Aorangi's Arjan Van't Klooster, Tasman's Andrew Wiffen, Northern's Lisa Kendall and Waikato/Bay of Plenty's Richard French. Two regional finals are yet to be held.
¦ More photos from the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Regional FMG Young Farmer of the Year, including AgriKids and TeenAg events and analysis of module results, will be published in The Country on Tuesday, April 11.