Finalist surprised, but keen

Calvin Ball.

Calvin Ball is all set to represent the Waikato/Bay of Plenty in the upcoming New Zealand Young Farmer of the Year contest.

The 26-year-old would also vie for the People's Choice Award, which was a new category introduced to promote audience participation and sharpen the finalists' skills around marketing beyond the farmgate.

FMG head of marketing Glenn Croasdale said provincial communities were fiercely loyal and parochial and this award gave people a chance to show that loyalty - and back their favourite competitor, she said.

Seven finalists had been selected from the regions and "are only limited by their imagination so long as they positively promote the rural sector and showcase themselves as young leaders in the industry".

"We see this award as another step in evolving the contest, with the unveiling of a new trophy in the coming weeks."

Mr Ball, who was previously based in Papamoa and spent three years working for Ballance Agri Nutrients, said the competition would be "tough".

He had returned to his parents dairy farm in Ruawai to prepare for the event before travelling to the United Kingdom on his OE.

A firm advocate for Young Farmers, Mr Ball said the regional win "was unexpected".
However, he was determined to give it his best shot.

"I'm up against six other competitors that are pretty worthy of the title."

But now he was in study mode brushing up on various skills including writing a market innovation report.

Delivering a speech and a quick fire round of buzzer questions were part of the competition but completing practical tasks which were "unknown" would be the hardest, he said.

"We have no idea on the day so you have got to prepare for everything."

The seven finalists were Calvin Ball (Waikato/Bay of Plenty), Jake Thomson (Northern), Pete Fitz-Herbert (Taranaki/Manawatu), Tony Dowman (East Coast), James Hoban (Tasman), Athol New (Aorangi) and Logan Wallace (Otago/Southland).