Boys win TeenAg

Justin Boyd (left) ties  plastic piping with the help of team-mate Jeffrey Robinson as part of...
Justin Boyd (left) ties plastic piping with the help of team-mate Jeffrey Robinson as part of the TeenAg competition. Supplied photo

Farming is part of everyday life for Southland lads Jeffrey Robinson and Justin Boyd and, whether it is moving stock or putting up breaks, the pair never shy away from farm work.

As they headed to Lincoln University earlier this month to compete in the 2014 TeenAg competition grand final they were sure their farming knowledge would shine through.

The 17-year-old Menzies College pupils secured first place in the national finals, beating 19 other teams.

It was the boys' first final and winning meant a lot because it was their last year of competition as they will finish high school this year.

Jeffrey said they had been reasonably confident heading into the competition but were not sure what to expect. The boys had competed at the regional level of the competition twice before but had never made it to the final.

They were both thrilled with the first place, Jeffrey said.

''It's pretty cool [to win]. It was our last go at it and we had been building up for the last few years to do it. It was good the first time we got to the final to win it.''

The competition involved a range of different challenges from labelling meat cuts and installing a sprinkler to competing in a duck-plucking race and making a long drop.

Jeffrey said the hardest part had been controlling nerves and remembering to take their time to make sure things were done right.

On the plus side, they had spent time at an apiary before the competition and so were fairly confident when they had to build a beehive, Jeffrey said.

''We definitely complemented each other. We are both from sheep farms and Justin used to work on a dairy farm so we complemented each other.''

The pair said they were absolutely thrilled with the win and that their background farming knowledge had helped them secure top spot on the day.

Justin said that it had been great to be a part of the competition.

Second place went to the ''Two Lone Wolves'', Graham Johnson and Corey Jones, from the Waikato-Bay of Plenty region, and third place to ''Jack and Ben'', Tasman pair Jack Anderson and Ben Early.

- by Nicole Sharp 

Add a Comment