It's $20,000 up for grabs for lads

Simon Washer, winner of Fieldays International Rural Bachelor of the Year 2013.

Are you a rural bloke? The opportunity of a lifetime, and a prize pool of over $20,000, is open for you - as long as you are single!

The search is on for the 2014 Fieldays Rural Bachelor of the Year.

If you know a bloke who can drive a digger, reverse a trailer, chainsaw a tree and still manage to rustle up a roast dinner ... then he's perfect.

Organisers of the competition are on the lookout for hard-working rural guys who are happy to represent the farming community, while giving the watching world a fantastic demonstration of smarts, strength and skills.

The eight finalists (six Kiwis and two Aussies) will be treated to an all-inclusive trip to Fieldays.

But, there's a twist; they have to partake in a range of heats and challenges designed to test their rural skills, while every action is eagerly anticipated and scrutinised by judges, and a wider audience keen to get behind their favourite bachelor.

With all eyes on the guys, finalists should expect to receive lots of female attention.

For any bachelors on a quest for love the event is a great opportunity to mingle and impress fans, both at Fieldays and at specific night functions, by doing their thing with plenty of understated charm.

The competition has an Amazing Race style, with finalists beginning the event at a mystery location with a Kea Campervan and the requirement to complete challenges.

Once at Fieldays the bachelors will have their skills, attitude and all-round charisma tested in a number of competitive heats.

Completion is sure to be fierce at the week-long competition and the bachelors will be thrust into the limelight as thousands of Fieldays' visitors, and nationwide media, keep an eager eye on the action.

All bachelor finalists will be kitted out by Swanndri and Skellerup and will have the opportunity to visit Fieldays exhibitors, attend demonstrations and evening events including the Ag Art Wear "Designer in the Field" Gala Dinner and Awards show in Hamilton.

With a prize pool of over $20,000 up for grabs the competition is a serious challenge, but also a huge amount of fun and laughter for finalists and their fans. All applicants must be New Zealand or Australian residents, single males, aged 18 or older, and employed in the rural industry.

Finalists must be available to travel to Fieldays from Monday, June 9 to Saturday, June 16.

*See www.fieldays.co.nz/entrantguide for entry criteria. Deadline for entries is May 2.