The heat is on for seven young New Zealand farmers as they battle it out for the title in the Young Farmer Contest in Masterton this week.
The event officially started yesterday and is closed to the public today as the contestants complete a technical day at Brancepeth Station, but will
step it up tomorrow in front of the public with the practical competition.
Eketahuna farmer Cam Brown will be up against Shane Mumford of Whangarei, Tim van de Molen of Hamilton, Mike Croad of Woodville, Cole Groves of Christchurch, Hayden Peter of Southland and Will Grayling of Ashburton.
This year's grand final of the National Bank Young Farmer Contest is the culmination of 22 district finals, seven regional finals, thousands of volunteer hours and a lot of hard work from contestants all around New Zealand.
Tomorrow will see hundreds converge on the Solway A&P Showgrounds to watch the practical events, where contestants are pitted against each other in challenges designed to test their skills in all areas of agriculture.
On Saturday the excitement moves to the Wairarapa College auditorium for the live, televised grand final evening show, where the contest champion will be announced.
Also taking place tomorrow at the showgrounds are the TeenAg and AgriKids NZ grand finals, where more than 50 AgriKids and nearly 30 teenagers from as far as Invercargill in the south and Wainui in the north will show off their farming skills as they compete to become champions for 2011.
New Zealand Young Farmers members will also be attending the TBfree NZYF Annual Conference, where they will take part in workshops, bus trips and fencing competitions.
Also on the agenda is the NZYF annual general meeting, where new board members will be voted in.
For more information or to purchase tickets to events, visit www.youngfarmercontest.co.nz
