Tries for a land-based competition to replace the offshore Moeraki fishing contest have well exceeded the expectations of two Lions clubs organising it.
Following reduced entries in recent years for the Waianakarua Lions Club's fishing contest, the club decided this year to combine with the Waiareka Lions Club and replace it with a farming greenfeeds competition for the best winter crop.
It thought about 50 to 60 entrants in the inaugural year would be good but it received about 110, publicity officer John Munro said this week.
''This is great, not just for the first year, but laying a good foundation for future years.''
About 30 of the entrants had donated entry fees and would not have paddocks in the competition because of the drought conditions in North Otago.
The other 80 had entered about 100 paddocks between them.
Mr Munro will still consider late entries until Monday.
The next step will be to have a team of ''appropriately experienced Lions members'' visit each of the crops from the first week of next month to select 10 for final judging by a group of professional judges.
The winners will be announced at a prizegiving and big charity auction on May 15, which will cater for up to 400.
Proceeds from the new competition will go to the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust and North Otago Hospice Hub.
