FMG Young Farmer finalist says hard work all worth it

Sheep and beef farmer Patrick Crawshaw, 24, from Takapau, took home $12,500 in prizes, including a Honda XR150 motorbike, after winning the winner of the East Coast regional final of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition.

Central Hawke's Bay farmers took out the quinella at the 2018 East Coast regional final of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition.

Sheep and beef farmer Patrick Crawshaw, 24, from Takapau, beat his Foley Farming Enterprises workmate Hugh Abbiss for the title at the Masterton A&P Showgrounds on February 17.

An elated Crawshaw could scarcely believe his victory. He was humbled by the win especially knowing the calibre of competitors in the field, but knowing all his hard work had "definitely paid off".

"It's still sinking in. I really can't believe it!" he said.

Competing in his second regional final, Crawshaw used his experience to his advantage, taking home all the technical challenges including the AGMARDT Agri-Business exam, the Massey University Agri-Growth interview and the Meridian Energy Agri-Knowledge quiz under the lights at Wairarapa College.

The Dannevirke Young Farmer also performed well in the practical component of the final and will now go on to represent the East Coast at the 50th Anniversary FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final in Invercargill in July.

After a busy start to the year, with his wedding in January, Crawshaw had only recently returned from his honeymoon. His wife Isabelle joked while her husband "was all study" prior to the competition,"now it was totally worth it'.

For winning the final, Crawshaw took home $12,500 in prizes, including a Honda XR150 motorbike.

Second place went to 25-year-old Hugh Abbiss, also of Foley Farming Enterprises, who took home the coveted Ravensdown Agri-skills Challenge crown.

The Ongaonga Milkyways from Ongaonga School were the top placegetters in the regional AgriKidsNZ final, and also now qualify for the grand final in Invercargill. Also grand final-bound are Napier Boys' High duo, Finnigan Beamish and Matthew Halford, who won the The TeenAg competition.