18 Wairarapa Times-Age Thursday, March 6, 2025
THE 2025 EAST COAST BATTLE IS ON … for the FMG Young Farmers, Junior Young Farmers, & AgriKidsNZ awards
Masterton’s Solway Showgrounds hosts the annual East Coast’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition on Saturday 8 March 2025. Season 57 for the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Awards sweeps through seven New Zealand regions between February and April, with the Grand Final scheduled from 3 to 5 July in Invercargill.
EAST COAST REGIONAL FINAL
The competition is designed to identify and celebrate the top young farmers across the country, and the overall winner of FMG Young Farmer of the Year will walk away with over $90,000 worth of prizes the stakes are high. The East Coast’s regional battle is open to the public on Saturday 8 March, as all levels take part in their practical challenges. The three levels include:
MASTERTON SATURDAY 8 MARCH 2025
FMG Young Farmer of the Year. FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year. AgriKidsNZ. In the evening, a buzzer-style quiz will be held, and the East Coast winners announced. Finalists in this year’s East Coast battle are Connor Richardson (Dannevirke),
James Robbie (Puketoi), Samantha Thomson (Dannevirke), Sam Sherwood (Eskview), Alice Anderson (Tikokino), and Emma Haughey (Dannevirke). In 2024, the East Coast winners were Archie Woodhouse (1ST ), Callum Woodhouse (2ND), and Ben Wallace (3RD). FMG has been the principal sponsor of the Young Farmer of the Year competition since 2015 and has always looked for innovative ways to engage local communities in the contest. New Zealand Young Farmers Chief Executive, Lynda Coppersmith, has been reported as saying “each year, we are blown away by the caliber of our FMG Young Farmer of the Year contestants, from our AgriKidsNZ participants through to those vying for the regional FMG Young Farmer of the Year title. Their knowledge, skills and passion for the industry is impressive and certainly leaves us excited for the future of our industry.” New Zealand’s food and fibre exports are forecast by the government to reach $57 billion in the year to June 2025. Young Farmers clubs have been part of the backbone of this critical sector for almost 100 years, nurturing and supporting talent while growing connected communities.
Don’t miss out on the nutrients your farm needs Talk to your local Agri Manager about the best plan for your farm, today. Kate Ward
Grieg McLeod
Louise Livesey
Richard Reid
Kerri Robson
Waipukurau
Masterton
Masterton
Mangatainoka
Dannevirke
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