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March 2025 Edition
INSIDE
THIS EDITION Scholarship winner
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Eye on the prize: South canterbury’s Gareth McKerchar, seen here competing in last year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final, is hoping to make it back-to-back Grand Final appearances when he competes in the Aorangi regional finals in Ashburton this month.
Grand final spots on the line
March will be a busy time for Canterbury’s young farmers with the district holding two regional finals in the 2025 FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition.
] by Kent caddick The Malvern A&P Showgrounds in Sheffield will host the regional finals for the Tasman district on March 22 while the Aorangi district regional finals will be held at the Ashburton A&P Showgrounds on March 29. In all 16 young farmers will be fighting it out in the regional finals with the aim of claiming the two spots on offer for the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final which will be held in Invercargill in early July.
South Canterbury young farmer Gareth McKerchar, from the Pleasant Point Young Farmers club will be looking to make it to the grand final for the second year in a row. Last year McKerchar claimed victory in the Aorangi regional finals, a feat he’s looking to achieve two years running. “I’m preparing in a similar way but this year I’m able to reflect a bit more on the things that I found challenging last year,” McKerchar said. “I’m still using my flashcards, but I’m fo-
cusing on improving my performance in the practical challenges as well as working on handling pressure better. “To be able to compete in the Grand Final and represent my region again on the national stage would be a dream come true.” McKerchar works as a Senior Agri Manager for Ravensdown, recommending fertiliser to farmers across Canterbury High-Country and the Waitaki Valley. He’s hoping his experience stands him in good stead for this year’s contest. TO PAGE 2
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