The Contest moves south

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 23-03-11

The Contest moves south

The North Island Regional Finals are all wrapped up and now it's time to head south. The Tasman Regional Final for The National Bank Young Farmer Contest is to take place at the South Island Agricultural Field Days on Thursday 31st of March.

Following the February 22nd Earthquake in Canterbury, there has been some contention over whether the Field Days should go ahead due to lack of accommodation and unease about the Region.

Errol Costello and Pamela Kuenh from the SIAFD Organising Committee issued a statement in early March to confirm that the Field Days will go ahead.

"The committee feels that we should continue to bring some normalcy back into the Christchurch area. Lincoln has been comparatively unaffected by the earthquake on 22 February. The site is completely unaffected so although we can foresee some minor problems we are proceeding."

The organising committee says that there is full support from exhibitors for the Field Days to continue and although some things may be slightly different due to limitations in generators and portable toilets, their suppliers are doing their best to source those items. Accommodation issues are also trying to be resolved through the use of billets and alternative accommodation.

It is with this in mind that the Tasman Regional Final will plough ahead in its quest to find Tasman's representative at Grand Final in Masterton from June 29th to July 2nd. The Practical Day is at the SIAFD from 8am with the Evening Show taking place at the Lincoln University Dining Hall from 5.30pm.

There'll be some hot competition this year with some very experienced Contestants who have placed well in the past, especially from the Dunsandel area.

Thirty year old dairy farmer Michael Woodward from the Dunsandel Club came in second last year and will be hoping to go one better to get to Grand Final this year - especially because the cut off age is 31 - this is his last year to compete.

Also from Dunsandel; Cole Groves and Sarah O'Connell know what they're doing too. Cole, a 24 year old sharemilker and operations manager, was third last year and this is his third time at this level. Twenty six year old Sarah is a Rural Manager with The National Bank. This will be her third Regional Final in a row.

Reuben Carter from the Christchurch Club (27) is another strong contender; the part time farmer and Lincoln University student has competed at Regional Final four times in the past.

The rest of the field is made up of first time Contestants, but all proved very capable at their District Finals.

Matthew Bell a 24 year old 2IC dairy farmer in Culverden will be attending his first Regional Final along with equity manager Damien Groot (29) from the Grey Valley Club. Twenty five year old David Winter part owns his family's mixed farm and is a part of the Waimakariri Club.

The youngest of the Contestants is Jason DeBoo, a 22 year old lower order sharemilker from the Renwick Club, and this will also be his first outing at Regional Final level.

One of these eight will be named as Tasman's representative at Grand Final and will also take home a very generous prize pack. The pack is worth $10,250 and includes a Honda XR125 two-wheeled farm bike valued at $4000, a $1500 Lincoln University Scholarship, $1000 cash and $500 towards a capability development programme from AGMARDT, a weekend hunting trip courtesy of Isuzu valued at $1000, Ravensdown quality fertiliser products worth $1000, a range of Swanndri clothing valued at $750 and The National Bank will provide $500 cash.

The Road to Recovery Auction will again be taking place during the Evening Show. Nearly $15,000 dollars has been raised for the Earthquake Recovery Fund so far thanks to the generosity of Echo, The National Bank and Ravensdown who have all contributed items along with a two-wheeled farm bike from Honda.

Once the Grand Finalist has been found on Thursday, it's time for the next generation to get their turn. AgriKidsNZ and TeenAg will run on Friday, giving spectators plenty of time to see the future movers and shakers of the industry compete in their own mini Contest.

For more information on The National Bank Young Farmer Contest, TeenAg or AgriKidsNZ:

ENDS

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