Young shepherds from around the world will converge on Oamaru next week for the first World Young Shepherds Challenge.
Contestants from France, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, the United States, Uruguay, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand will compete in the event on Tuesday and Wednesday.
New Zealand will be represented by Lincoln University student Peter Klaassen and Massey University student Hamish Best, who were selected from students receiving Beef and Lamb New Zealand scholarships.
The competition, run by Beef and Lamb NZ, aims to foster professional development in young shepherds aged between 18 and 25, and to build strong relationships between the sheep production sectors and the next generation of leaders in each of the countries.
A range of sheep farming skills will be tested, including putting up a permanent fence, riding a quad bike safely while navigating an obstacle course, identifying sheep breeds and their breeding values, drafting and drenching sheep and accurately counting sheep.
The shepherds will also be tested on their knowledge of sheep meat cuts and there will also be a shearing challenge, with each contestant required to shear two sheep.
The top prize is a $15,000 international professional development scholarship. New Zealand art is also in the prize pool.