Manfeild Matters: Young farmers final on stage

NZ Young Farmers at Fieldays 2017

Tomorrow will be something of a harvest day for Manfeild - in the farming sense.

Hands-on activity, that is central to determining the pick of the crop of the nation's top young farmers, is being staged at our venue.

This is our first direct involvement with the FMG Young Farmer of the Year grand final and we couldn't be more excited. This, after all, is the country's premier rural contest and seems a natural fit for Manfeild - we host many ag-related events and our region is very much the agri hub of New Zealand, driven so much by farming dollars.

Young Farmer of the Year is brilliant for the Manawatu. Agriculture is a cornerstone of the economy and this event reminds us it's a professional industry providing significant career opportunities.

The Central Economic Development Agency estimates the competition will bring a million-dollar benefit to the region and would showcase the North Island AgriHub.

The contest this year has been immense. Finalists from Northern, Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Taranaki/Manawatu, East Coast, Tasman, Aorangi and Otago/Southland areas are with us tomorrow. It's the mid-point of a three-day workout putting them through a range of practical, theoretical and technical challenges.

Each level combines practical hands on agriculture skills and general knowledge. The level of complexity and difficulty increases as the contestants progress from district to regional contests and finally, at the grand final.

In the past, participants have been required to put in a fence, cook, change a wheel and carve out a chainsaw sculpture.

The practical day starts nice and early at 7am, and runs until 3pm. Spectators are welcome and it's free to attend.

Local hopes lay with Taranaki/Manawatu representative James Lawn, who will compete alongside two friends and former flatmates - Richard French (Waikato/Bay of Plenty) and Hamish Best (East Coast).

Other finalists include Lisa Kendall (Northern), Aorangi's Arjan Van't Klooster, Andrew Wiffen (Tasman) and Nigel Woodhead (Otago/Southland). For the first time in the event's 49-year history, a transtasman Olympic Ag battle will take place with current champion Athol New taking on Australian winner Marty McConnon.

The first regional final was held in a small hall at the former Lincoln College, broadcast live on radio in 1969, and was won by Gary Frazer of Tasman with a first prize of a return airfare to Australia and $500 cash.

Today contestants vie for more than $300,000 in prizes.

Finally, a big happy birthday to the Manawatu Car Club, 70 years old and looking in terrific health. The club's celebratory dinner at Manfeild last Saturday was fantastic and it was brilliant to hear stories from many past and present stalwarts. A packed room and a hugely vibrant atmosphere made for a great night. Roll on the 75th!

¦Don't forget to call me on 027 6599 666 if you have any thoughts about Manfeild. To keep up with the latest news, check out the Manfeild website, manfeild.co.nz and our Facebook page.