Manawatu-Whanganui contestant has 'big four days'

2017 Young Farmer of the Year Nigel Woodhead cuts the 50th anniversary cake with 1970 winner Allan Anderson. Photo / Supplied

Feilding man Will Taylor did well in the practical skills sections of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year grand final in Invercargill but dipped out on the theory.

"It was bloody tough. A lot of the stuff I had never even considered or looked at before," he said.

Taylor was one of seven in the grand final. He represented the western side of the lower North Island, from Taranaki to Wellington. The winner was South Otago sheep farmer Logan Wallace, with Cameron Black from Christchurch second.

Taylor was in Invercargill from July 4 to 7 last week, for "three gruelling days" of competition.

Having worked on farms all his life the 26-year-old had no trouble with the two practical skills sections.

"I thoroughly enjoyed that. I placed second in both."

Overall he had a great time across the "big" four days, but said he would not be trying again.

"I will step back from it now, and let some other guys come through and have a shot."

The past three grand champions have all been from the South Island, but Taylor said there was no geographical bias - winning was simply down to effort and skill.

This year's winner got a tractor and quad bike, cash, scholarships, equipment and clothing - all part of a $155,000 prize pool.

Whanganui's Allan Anderson, the 1970 winner and longest surviving grand champion, thoroughly enjoyed the competition and was "quite chuffed" by the attention he got.

He was one of 47 former winners present. Some had even come from overseas. The Saturday awards night was fantastic, he said.

"The seven young men lined up on stage were such a credit to the farming sector. They are going to lead our industry."