Young Farmers national final competition under way this week

Archie Woodhouse from Eketahuna was crowned FMG Young Farmer of the Year East Coast earlier this year.

The competition is heating up for the New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) Tournament National Final, which will take place in Hamilton on Thursday 11 July.

Coinciding with the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final, this event will attract 47 NZYF members, all striving for top honours in the Goldpine Fencing, Hunting & Fishing Clay Target, NZ Farmers Livestock Stock Judging, and Tavendale & Partners Debating competitions.

The action kicks off at 9am at the Waikato Clay Target Club, where 14 sharpshooters will compete for the Hunting & Fishing Clay Target title. Meanwhile, at Claudelands, 19 members will demonstrate their skills in the NZ Farmers Livestock Stock Judging from 11am, evaluating a variety of animals, including beef and dairy cattle as well as meat and wool sheep breeds.

From 12pm, seven fencing teams will pair up and hammer away for the Goldpine Fencing title, also at Claudelands.

Each competitor hails from one of the Young Farmer regions: Northern, Waikato Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Taranaki Manawatu, Tasman, Aorangi, and Otago Southland, having earned their spots through rigorous regional competitions.

Eketahuna young farmer Archie Woodhouse will be representing the East Coast region.

Throughout the day, attendees can enjoy various amenities and entertainment at the Claudelands Oval. Starting at 10am, NZYF members can get free haircuts courtesy of Daz’s Barber Shop until 2pm. A coffee cart will be available from 10am to keep everyone energised and local musician Chris Paki will perform live from 12pm to 2pm. A free BBQ lunch will be served between 1pm and 2pm, where attendees will have the opportunity to mingle with the seven FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Finalists.

The event will culminate with the Tavendale & Partners Debate, featuring teams from Fitzherbert Young Farmers and Lincoln Young Farmers, who will tackle the moot that farm ownership is out of reach for many within New Zealand.

The NZYF Tournament Series, held for the wider membership base and with a rich 80-year history, is a source of pride for Board Chair Chloe Jones. “The Waikato provides the perfect setting for the NZYF Tournament National Final, given its diverse food and fibre sector. I’m really excited to watch our members compete,” she said.

Jones highlighted the importance of the Tournament Series in developing the knowledge and skills of the next generation of young farmers. Slightly biased owning a fencing business, the Goldpine Fencing competition is one of her favourite events to watch.

“Fencing requires teamwork and is a crucial on-farm, industry skill that requires good workmanship, which is no easy feat.”

“Assessing stock, knowing what to look for in an animal and being a good judge, whether in the sale yards, cattle yards, or the woolshed, is vital for farmers and rural professionals alike,” she noted. “The clay bird shoot is a different event of its own.”

She also expressed enthusiasm for the debate, saying, “Our teams will be debating an extremely relevant topic this year, I’m looking forward to hearing what the teams come up with. It’s always a lively discussion and a challenge no matter the side of the moot you are on.”