For the first time, the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final will be available on multiple online platforms in a move away from screening on television, as organisers embrace the growing online audience and move most of the content online.
All aspects of the Grand Final will be available on the NZ Young Farmers You Tube channel and the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Facebook page and there will be livestreaming of several key events.
Auckland television production company JX Live will work in conjunction with organisers but there would still be a television screening of the final through pay channel Country TV in an exclusive broadcast partnership deal.
Contest chairman Dean Rabbidge said the move away from television would provide endless possibilities for the future of the contest.
Mr Rabbidge said television platforms often meant human stories centred around drive, determination and courage were lost in translation.
"Now we can tell those stories and we can show the pain, commitment and courage our grand finalists display - all while showcasing our primary industry."
NZ Young Farmers CEO Terry Copeland said the shift to online platforms for screening the contest was in line with the innovation today's young farmers display on a daily basis.
¦FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final, July 6-8, Manawatu.