Hard yards pay off at farmer contest

First-time entrant Lisa Kendall of South Auckland won the northern region final of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year in Whangarei. Photo/Tania Whyte

Lisa Kendall credits her tertiary qualification in agriculture and farming management with helping her win the gruelling northern regional final of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year.

The 25-year-old from Karaka, South Auckland, will represent the northern region FMG Young Farmer of the Year grand final in Palmerston North in July.

It was the first time she had entered the regional competition, held at Kamo High School on Saturday, and she took home $12,500 in prizes including a motorbike and $1000 cash.

"A lot of hard work and studying went into it. I've gone around asking family and friends questions about farming techniques and all that paid off in the end," said the owner of her business called Nurture Farming.

Ms Kendall's business provides support to farms and lifestyle blocks in Franklin.

She competed against seven other young farmers in eight different agricultural activities including working with sheep, beekeeping, machinery skills, fencing, identifying fertilisers and foliage, human resources, and judging livestock.

Competitors were also interviewed by leading Northland farmers and a Massey University representative.

Ms Kendall won the written exam category, the interview, sheep and beef skills challenge and the quiz night.

Ms Kendall grew up on a lifestyle block and her interest in agriculture was sparked after high school.

She completed a Diploma in Agriculture and a Diploma in Farm Management at Lincoln University and worked on dairy, sheep and beef farms in the South Island before starting her own business in Franklin.

She admitted the northern region competition was tougher than she expected.

"It was really exhausting. I couldn't keep up with the other competitors but a lot of theoretical studies I did really came in handy during the competition.

"I want to win the grand final. Really don't know what to expect but I want to do a lot of fitness training and prepare as best as I can," Ms Kendall said.

The contestants also undertook an hour-long technical exam on farm budgeting and planning and a head-to-head building module where they had to construct a planter box out of a pallet.

They also took part in an hour-long agricultural race-off that included assembling irrigation sprinklers, building a quad seesaw and making a wire fence support for a grape vine.

Wellsford dairy farmer Colin Beazley came second and Clement Lafon, a dairy farm manager from Kamo, came third.

Grant Shaw, northern region chairman of New Zealand Young Farmers, said it was pleasing to note 400 people turned up to watch the competitors.

Alongside the young farmers, there was the TeenAg contest for high school contestants, won by Cara Doggett and Grace Moscrip from Whangarei Girls High School.

The Agrikids contest for primary school-aged teams of three was won by Camo Warriors from Okaihau.

They will also represent the northern region in the final at Palmerston North.