The 30-year-old agronomist retained his Tasman region title in Murchison on February 15 after leading for most of the day, winning both the agrisports and agriskills challenges and giving him $10,000 worth of prizes.
Mr Carter, who recently transferred to work for AgriSeeds in Hamilton, will now compete in the grand final in Christchurch from July 3 to July 5.
He finished fourth in the 2013 grand final and has competed in seven regional finals, three in Northland and four in Tasman.
''I have a lot of passion and drive for the agricultural sector and this is what drives me in the contest,'' he said. ''I have always been competitive and enjoy the challenge of competing in the young farmers contest.''
Mr Carter grew up on a sheep and beef farm at Opononi in Northland and later moved to Canterbury, where he gained a bachelor of agriculture degree from Lincoln University.
Outside of work, Mr Carter said he enjoyed hunting, wood chopping, four-wheel driving and was active in stock judging.
He was the 2012 winner for the New Zealand and Australasian junior meat and wool breeds sheep judging championships.
Mr Carter also works on his sheep stud, Hurricane Romney, and building up his equity for the ultimate goal of returning to Canterbury to buy a drystock/cropping farm.
Second place went to Andrew Wiffen, of the Renwick YFC, while Sarah O'Connell, Dunsandel YFC, came third and James Hoban, Hurunui YFC, was fourth.
Ms O'Connell also won the AGMARDT Agribusiness Challenge.
- by David Hill