Fieldays 2017: Rural Bachelors line up

Paul Olsen, who won the Fieldays Rural Bachelor of the Year last year, with fellow 2016 contestants. Photo/File

After scouring New Zealand and Australia in search of the eight most eligible rural bachelors, organisers have announced they have been found and will soon be embarking on a whirlwind week as they vie for the title of Rural Bachelor of the Year, a prize pack worth over $20,000 and a chance at finding love.

Rural Bachelor event manager Lynn Robinson said selecting the finalists had been a tough job but someone had to do it.

"It's a tough job alright, we have a lot of talent in the agri-sector and the men are all highly skilled, genuine guys. They'll have to step out of their comfort zone if they want to take away the top spot" said Robinson.

In a cruel twist of fate, organisers are going to keep you guessing just a little longer. Clues will be released over the next week with the eight finalists revealed on Monday June 12 when they set off on the Farmlands Road Trip.

What do we know about the Rural Bachelor of the Year finalists?

•Aussie girls will have to kiss goodbye to this Queensland cowboy with country values, as he makes his way across the ditch for Fieldays 2017.

•These northern lads have scrubbed up well but don't let that fool you, they'll give the other finalists a run for their money.

•The eligible bachelors from the South Island will be putting it all on the line to make their farming communities proud.

&bull:The strapping lads from the Central North Island have some big boots to fill with the weight of the dairy farming industry on their shoulders.

Their quest for the Golden Gumboot begins in Auckland as they make their way south stopping at Farmlands stores in Pukekohe, Matamata and Rotorua, completing challenges from fencing to flower arranging.

The bachelors will take part in a challenge at Maratori Rural School in Taupo next Tuesday before heading to Farmlands stores in Te Kuiti and Te Awamutu, ready for Fieldays on Wednesday June 14.

Once at Fieldays, the Bachelors will have their skills, attitude and all-round charisma tested in a number of competitive challenges, from physical strength and fitness to fencing, cooking and dog handling. The challenges are largely agricultural-based but will have a few fun twists thrown in to test the character of these rural men.

The winner will be announced at the official prize giving on the Village Green on Saturday at 12pm. With two titles up for grabs - Rural Bachelor of the Year and People's Choice.