Robertson brothers excel in stock judging

Young Farmers and TeenAG CRV Ambreed Stock Judging Competition winner William Robertson at prizegiving.

Waikato/Bay of Plenty Brothers Craig, James and William Robertson have won top team in the highly contested CRV Ambreed Stock Judging Competition in both the TeenAg and Young Farmers age sections.

Craig (22) took home the Red Ribbon in both the Miniature Horse and Dairy Section of the Competition. As a registered judge of Holstein and Jersey dairy cattle, he has most experience in the dairy section of the competition, and is set to represent New Zealand and the Rural Agricultural Society in Australia.

Two-time Hunting and Fishing Clay Target Competition winner Isaac Billington in action.

However, it was youngest brother William (17) who dominated the field, winning all but one of the TeenAg sections as well as placing in the dairy and beef sections of the Young Farmer competition. William took home first place overall in the Young Farmers and TeenAG age groups.

James (20), chair of Massey Young Farmers, said he and his brothers started stock judging as teenagers with the Waikato/Bay of Plenty skills days and regional competition weekends providing the perfect platform for exposure to new skill sets.

Alongside the Young Farmers competitions, James said he and his brothers have also been fortunate to have had support from mentor, Waikato A&P Show president Doug Lineham along the way.

"In stock judging there is no right or wrong answers. It is a skill that allows an appreciation of a quality flock or herd and challenges you to test your personal opinion," says James.

Piarere Young Farmer Isaac Billington won the Hunting and Fishing Clay Target Competition for the second year running.

In the much-anticipated final held at Feilding Gun Club, Mr Billington beat 14 other shooters to take home the trophy and an Akkar semi-automatic shotgun. Second place and best team went to Todd McCormick and the East Coast Region.

The Annual Tui Brewery North/South debate was contested at the New Holland NZ Young Farmers National Awards evening, with Marton Young Farmers taking the trophy home for the North Island.

The South Island had success when Martin Bates and Jono Satterthwaite (Tasman) won the PGG Wrightson Fencing Final and Andrew Harcourt (Aorangi) was overall winner in the photography competition.