Twins to be rivals in TeenAg

Rebecca Hutton (17) (left), Milton twins James and Laura Scanlan, and Levin Coulter (16). Photo / Richard Davison

Milton twins James and Laura Scanlan plan to come out with all guns blazing when they meet at the TeenAg Grand Final in Invercargill this July.

The quietly competitive 18-year-olds, who live on a 212ha sheep and beef farm on the edge of the South Otago township, will meet once more with their team-mates at the national final, after placing first and second respectively at Saturday's Otago-Southland regional final in Winton.

Laura's team-mate Rebecca Hutton (17), said watching the boys' successful run to the grand final in last year's competition had spurred them on.

"We came eighth last year, so we wanted to work hard and improve this time round, and show what we can do,'' she said.

Competing against friends and siblings gave an extra edge to proceedings, and there was plenty of banter between the teams, James' team-mate Levin Coulter said.

"They want to catch up with the boys, I think. They might be improving, but we're just plain consistent.

"We'll see who's best on the day.''

In the weekend's regional final, 31 teams clashed at Browns Domain.

Emma McCallum, Sam Robson and Renae Lindsay, from Lochiel School, near Winton, won the AgriKidsNZ competition.

Hannah Reid, Peter Millar and Elizabeth Lamb, from Blue Mountain College, in Tapanui, placed second.

Ryan Clark, Erin Willis and Millar McElrea, from Tokomairiro High School were third.

All three teams have qualified for the AgriKidsNZ Grand Final in Invercargill.

Competition co-ordinator David Highsted said the aim of the competitions was to "get kids excited'' about a career in the primary industries.

TeenAg and AgriKidsNZ were an important tool for NZ Young Farmers to attract students to the agriculture-food sector, he said.

Both junior finals will take place alongside the FMG Young Farmer of the Year grand final in July.