Young farmers pitch in for chance at title

Wanganui's finest young farmers were pushed to their limits at the National Bank Young Farmer Contest on Saturday.

The Wanganui district heat was held on a farm near Fordell, where 17 contestants put their physical, mental and technical skills to the test.

James Rodgers from Taihape won the competition, with Andy Short second.

The pair will now contest the Taranaki-Manawatu regional final, with a chance to make it to the grand final.

Hauling hay bales, measuring fertiliser, backing a tractor and trailer, crutching a sheep and solving numeracy problems were just some of the tasks contestants were required to complete, in very hot conditions.

The contestants - including four women - came from as far away as Wellington and Taihape.

Emmy Eason from Palmerston North, told the Wanganui Chronicle that she was entering "just for fun".

Ms Eason is an accountant but her fiance works on a dairy farm.

"I don't expect to place. I'm just doing it for a laugh."

Chris Will, from Young Farmers, said the district heat gave anyone the chance to "have a go".

However, he said the regional final - which will be held in Feilding on March 18 - was more challenging for contestants.

Winner James Rodgers, at home in Taihape, said he had only joined Young Farmers when he arrived at the district final in Fordell yesterday.

"A mate of mine had won a Young Farmers competition, and I thought: if he can do it so can I."

Mr Rodgers, who runs the family sheep and beef farm west of Taihape, said he was pretty happy with his win.

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to the regionals next month. The competition is a really good thing to be part of. You meet some great people."