YFC final lost by two points

It was a gut-wrenching Young Farmer Contest final for Tasman's Reuben Carter, losing by just two 2 points. David Hill reports. 

Reuben Carter has bowed out of the 2014 ANZ Young Farmer Contest in a ''fantastically close'' grand final.

The Tasman region finalist finished second in the grand final held at Lincoln University and Christchurch on July 3-5, finishing on 301 points, two points behind the winner, David Kidd, who became the first Northern region finalist to take top honours in the 46-year history of the contest.

Canterbury's other representative James Davidson, Aorangi, finished in seventh place of the seven regional finalists.

Mr Davidson won the agrisports challenge, while Mr Carter finished first in the agriskills.

Mr Carter was competing in his second and last grand final, after finishing fourth last year, and said to come so close was ''gut-wrenching''. He had competed in seven regional finals.

''After seven years of putting your heart and soul into it, it's a bit gut- wrenching and to come so close just adds to the wounds.

''But it was great that David won it for Northern to finally break the drought for that region.''

Mr Carter, a Lincoln University graduate, said he was ''humbled'' by the support he received at his adopted home.

''I had a huge amount of support from both friends and locals, which is always really, really humbling. It was fantastic to compete at Lincoln and to do it on home turf. It was a fantastic competition.''

''Unfortunately it was my second and last chance, but you've got to look back on the journey you've made. It's been a fantastic journey and I have met a lot of people and made friends and it's created opportunities for me.''

Mr Carter was born and bred on a 600ha sheep and beef farm at Opononi in Northland, before moving to Lincoln five years ago where he completed a bachelor of agriculture degree in plant production.

While he was working in Hamilton for Canterbury-based firm Agriseeds, Mr Carter said he planned to move back to his adopted home of Canterbury when an opportunity arose.

''The job in the Waikato was an opportunity I couldn't refuse at the time.

''But I'm still looking to come back to Canterbury. The people down there have been fantastic and for what I want to do Canterbury offers a lot more opportunities.

''I think there's going to be a point where dairying will plateau and the time will come when dryland farms will start making some better returns and offer opportunities for young people. So it's exciting times ahead.''

In the meantime, Mr Carter said he planned to mentor future contestants to prepare for the Young Farmer Contest.

Mr Kidd's win saw him follow in the footsteps of his father, Richard Kidd, who finished third at the 1984 grand final in Timaru.

Mr Kidd has a bachelor of applied science in agriculture degree and works as a manager on a beef breeding and finishing farm at Shelley Beach on the South Kaipara Head Peninsula. He is a member of the Auckland City YFC and the Northern regional chairman.

TeenAg, AgriKids, Young Shepherd results: Page 7

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