Young Farmers keen to show off their talents

hat's that wine? Nigel Woodhead, of the Pendarves Young Farmers Club, tries to identify the...
hat's that wine? Nigel Woodhead, of the Pendarves Young Farmers Club, tries to identify the variety of wine and brand of beer during the Mid Canterbury district finals of the ANZ Young Farmer Contest. He finished second. PHOTO BY MAUREEN BISHOP
Practical farming skills, seed identification and financial management were just some of the knowledge tested when 16 entrants competed in the Mid Canterbury district final of the ANZ Young Farmer contest this month.

They also tasted wine, cooked pikelets, dealt with a knife injury, worked a fire hose and did a little sewing.

The competitors, all aged under 31 at January 1, 2015, tested their abilities against each other at Pendarves to find three contestants who will go on to the regional final.

Coming out on top was Matthew Bell, of the Hinds club. He will be joined in the regional final, to be held at the North Otago A&P Show in February, by Nigel Woodhead, of the Pendarves club, and Sam Bryan, of the Foothills club.

There they will come up against the best from the Timaru and North Otago districts to battle for their share of the $14,000 worth of prizes at the regional levelThe top performer at the Aorangi regional final earns a spot at the grand final in Taupo in July, 2015, to vie for the coveted title of ANZ Young Farmer Contest champion and a piece of the $117,000 prize pool.

Third place on the day was taken by Athol New, of the Pendarves club, but he was unable to compete at the regional finals because of a more pressing engagement - he is getting married the day before.

His place will be taken by fourth-placed Sam Bryan.

More than 250 Young Farmers competed in last year's district finals and national events manager Pip Cox is optimistic about an even larger turnout this season.

The level of complexity and skills needed increases as the competition progresses from district level to regionals and then the grand final.

The seven grand finalists will meet in Taupo from July 2-4, 2015, for a gruelling three days of competition.

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