Pirongia vet could face brother in FMG Young Farmer of the Year

A Pirongia dairy farmer may face her brother in the final for Young Farmer of the Year.

A Pirongia vet has joined the race to be the next FMG Young Farmer of the Year, and could face her brother if she makes the Grand Final.

Emma Dangen, 23, has qualified for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty regional final in Matamata on March 23.

Making it to the grand final of the prestigious contest has been a long-held goal.

"I'm really excited. This has always been a dream of mine," she says.

Emma has just finished studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at Massey University.

She lives on a Pirongia dairy farm with her partner and will start work at the Te Awamutu Vetora clinic in January.

Emma competed in the Taranaki/Manawatū regional final earlier this year, placing second.
"I think that narrow loss taught me a lot and I'll be back with greater determination in March," she says.

She'll compete against seven other regional finalists — Christine Wellington, Sophia Clark, Isaac Billington, Sam Tipping, Colin Tremain, Josh Cozens and Nico Mather-Fabrello.

Emma's brother Tim Dangen has clinched a spot in the Northern regional final.

The situation means the siblings could face off against each other at the grand final in Hawke's Bay if they both qualify.

"Competing together would be an amazing experience and it would be awesome if one of us took out the title," she says.

Christine Wellington, 27, works at PGG Wrightson in Te Awamutu and is looking forward to her first regional final.

"I've always wanted to have a go. I really enjoy challenging myself," she says.

Christine grew up on a deer farm and was a shepherd in Northland before moving to the Waikato.