First place in farming contest nailed

Young Farmer of the Year Athol New, originally from Whangarei, in action during a competition challenge.

Athol New has gone from Northland suburbanite to Young Farmer of the Year and credits his Kamo High School teacher for nudging him into farming.

The 30-year-old, now based in Canterbury, took out the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Award on Saturday night in Timaru. Mr New works with milking firm Purata Farms, where as the farm manager he heads a team of 10.

Mr New said his mother was an office worker, but he had friends and extended family who were farmers and growing up, the lifestyle always appealed to him.

"It's being outside and also working with cows, I love animals so that's pretty rewarding," he said.

Mr New said he was shocked to win the award and thanked his team and the people who encouraged him, including Kamo High School's Terry Baker, who nudged him to head to Lincoln University and study towards an agricultural commerce degree.

He said his family weren't surprised by the decision.

"[Mum] has spent time on farms and realised that's what I enjoy. It's been great having something I enjoy doing every day."

The Young Farmer of the Year competition runs over 10 months and sees farmers from 22 districts advance through the district and then regional contests.

The best go through to the national final, a two-day event including a day of practical challenges, as well as technical elements such as an interview, speech and HR challenge.

NZ Young Farmers chief executive Terry Copeland said Mr New was among the many unacknowledged high achievers in farming.

He said the award showed there were opportunities in farming even for people without the family background.

Mr New takes away $80,000 in prizes including $15,000 cash, a $20,000 Honda ATV and a Massey University travel scholarship.