He and his wife Sarah are expecting their first child, due about 10 days before the Grand Final, in Christchurch from July 3 to 5.
This is the second time Mr Rabbidge has represented the region. He won the regional final in Alexandra on February 22. He also won the Agmardt Agribusiness component of the contest and went home with a prize pack worth more than $10,000.
A member of the Wyndham Young Farmers Club, he is a dairy farmer, milking 180 cows on 72ha. The dairy farm is part of a 300ha sheep and beef property. Second place went to Logan Wallace, of the Clinton-South Otago Club.
Mr Rabbidge said that with a broad range of challenges, it was hard to tailor his preparation.
''I am stoked with my performance in the evening show. My preparation and hard work on this section of the contest paid off,'' Mr Rabbidge said.
''It was nail-biting at one stage, but after the last few rounds I was quite comfortable.''
He enjoyed the practical modules and thought including a helicopter module was a great idea.
''During the snow last year, it became obvious people were not familiar with getting in and out of a helicopter.''
He said he had the first week after the regional final off, then would begin preparations for the Grand Final in between farm work.
- by Yvonne O'Hara