Jack Taggart of Hinds Young Farmers has been crowned Aorangi’s top young farmer.
The Coldstream dairy farmer is now in the running for national victory and will compete against other regional finalists at the grand final in July.
Taggart, 26, was announced as the winner of the Aorangi FMG Young Farmer of the Year on Saturday evening, after spending the day competing in a series of challenges at the Woodbury Domain, near Geraldine, where more than 300 spectators watched in support.
The FMG Young Farmer of the Year is a highlight in the rural calendar, boasting a strong track record of showcasing the rising stars in New Zealand’s food and fibre sector – igniting contestants’ competitive streak and setting the bar for excellence in agriculture.
“It’s definitely been a long time coming, and I can’t quite believe it just yet,” Taggart said, in a statement following the event.
Eight finalists battled for the coveted Young Farmer of the Year crown.
Taggart got most points on the day with 292, defeating former grand finalist George Letham, of Hinds Young Farmers, who finished up with a score of 280. James Wilson, of Pendarves Young Farmers, rounded out the final spot on the podium after a high-energy day of competing neck-and-neck.
The competition featured five gruelling challenges including the always intense Agri-Sports and an intense ‘buzzer-style’ quiz that rewarded quick thinking.
Each task was crafted to expose how well contestants could apply their practical skills and technical knowledge while working against the clock.
The head-to-head and the Agri-sports were where Taggart really shined taking out these challenges with comfort and a lot of speed.
The head-to-head featured the contestants making a bird house out of pallets which Taggart breezed through with time to spare.
Also competing at the domain were primary school pupils in the AgriKids NZ and high school students in the FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year.
The AgriKids NZ competition saw New Zealand’s youngest farmers share their new generation know-how across a series of modules, with the top teams then competing in the infamous race off.
It was won by Angus Ward, Tessa Croft and Hunter Clark of the Beaconsfield Redbands (Beaconsfield School), second was Flynn Lovett, Flynn Chudleigh and Flynn Tait of AIS Farmers (Ashburton Intermediate School), just ahead of Ebony Groves, James Sheppard and Sophie Sheppard of the Hinds Hustlers (Hinds School).
Meanwhile Emma Kinzett and Meghan Nish from Mount Hutt College took out the title of Aorangi FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year, ahead of Niamh Hawe and Libby Jackson of Ashburton College.
Along with Taggart, the top AgriKids NZ and FMG Junior teams will now compete in July’s grand final in New Plymouth.
New Zealand Young Farmers chief executive officer Cheyne Gillooly said it was great to see friends, family, and Young Farmers club members supporting their fellow contestants.
Season 58 had turned over the highest attendance of entrants in recent years, she said.
“FMG Young Farmer of the Year is a true celebration of agriculture and the people who drive it. From the youngest contestant just beginning, to the oldest who is giving it their last shot, the strength in which people show up for their community makes me so proud of what Young Farmers represents.”
