Telford will host the Otago-Southland regional final of the National Bank Young Farmer Contest this Sunday.
It is an experienced field, with all eight contestants having competed at regional final level. They are also all graduates of Lincoln University.
Sheep, beef and arable farm manager Peter Gardyne (24), of the Waitane Young Farmers Club, was second in the grand final in Gore in 2010.
The Nightcaps Young Farmers Club is strongly represented, with Hayden Peter (29), who was fifth in last year's grand final, John White (27), who is operations manager of four dairy units, Simon Topham (23), who manages his family's 500-cow dairy farm, and Nathan Parris (30), who farms a 450ha sheep farm.
Simon Paterson (29) is chairman of Maniototo Young Farmers and farms on his family's 2000ha property at Gimmerburn, which has a merino stud as well as a commercial merino and halfbred flock.
Dean Rabbidge (26) is vice-chairman of Wyndham Young Farmers and manages his family's 180-cow dairy unit, while Craig Moffat (27), of Clinton Young Farmers, works on his family's 250ha sheep farm.
Contestants will compete for a place in the grand final in Dunedin in May, and a prize pack worth more than $10,000.
AgriKidsNZ and TeenAg competitions will also be held at the practical day from 8am.