Year in review: Hugh Jackson on farming, community, and innovation

Back in March, The Country found out more about Te Akau sheep and beef farmer Hugh Jackson, before he won the 2025 FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest.

The Country looks back at some of the biggest and best stories of the past 12 months, including readers’ favourites, news events and those yarns that gave us a glimpse into rural lives and livelihoods across the country.

This story by The Country’s Kem Ormond was originally published on March 2, before Hugh Jackson was named the 2025 FMG Young Farmer of the Year.

New Zealanders often hear about farmers being the backbone of the country, but do we really know what makes the primary industries tick?

With that in mind, The Country’s Kem Ormond has compiled a list of questions for everyday Kiwis in agriculture.

This week it’s the turn of Hugh Jackson, who farms in partnership with his parents on their family sheep and beef farm in Te Akau (just north of Raglan).

Their main enterprise involves finishing bulls, and they also run a terminal ewe flock and aim to finish all of the lambs.

Jackson recently qualified for the 2025 Young Farmer of the Year grand final in Invercargill in July.

He will be representing the Waikato Bay of Plenty region.

Jackson said he was looking forward to the next few months of learning and preparing ahead.

Hugh Jackson

What drew you to agriculture?

I grew up on a farm and always enjoyed helping out and developing new skills.

I enjoy the physical nature of the work and the satisfaction after completing a good day’s work and feeling like I have achieved something at the end of the day.

What excites you about each day? What gets you up in the morning?

The opportunity to get out there and improve my skill set and farming ability.

What is the moment/memory that makes you most proud to be a farmer?

The fact that we are truly driving the New Zealand economy through the products we produce and export overseas.

Also really enjoy the communities that exist rurally.

A lot of town folk don’t have anything to do with their neighbours.

I know everyone on my road and enjoy catching up and helping them out with whatever it is that needs doing.

What is your wish for agriculture?

I hope that agriculture in New Zealand harnesses the technology that is coming to allow us to take our farms’ production to new levels while doing more sustainably and efficiently.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I am an active relaxer and enjoy exercising, fishing, hunting and diving.

I also enjoy catching up with mates and being involved with running my local Young Farmers club which strives to bring people together and develop future leaders.