“Expect the unexpected,” New Zealand Young Farmers Aorangi convenor Penny Stilgoe says.
It’s her message to contestants finetuning their skills ahead of this year’s first FMG Young Farmer of the Year regional finals this weekend at the Woodbury Domain, near Geraldine.
Among those contestants are six Mid Canterbury farmers: James Wilson, Falvio Naf and Danyon Benington (all of Pendarves Young Farmers) and George Letham, Anne Cooper and Jack Taggart (all of Hinds Young Farmers).
Also competing is James Hamilton of Pleasant Point Young Farmers and George Campbell of Waimate Young Farmers.
The event, which starts tomorrow, is the first of seven regional finals for season 58 of the national competition.
It continues with a practical day on Saturday from 9am at the Woodbury Domain, inland from Geraldine. The evening event is at the Woodbury Hall from 6pm.
Stilgoe said contestants can expect to be put through their paces via a series of tough challenges designed to test their practical skills, technical knowledge, and ability to work fast under pressure.
Hinds Young Farmer George Letham, 28, said has put his hat in the ring for a second time following his top three podium placement in last year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year grand final.
“I’m trying to brush up on the things you don’t do day-to-day, like fencing, sheep shearing, and drenching,’’ he said.
‘‘A big part of what I could have done better at grand final was keeping calm and keeping my energy levels up, so working on my endurance is also top of my list.”
Stilgoe said contestants like Letham need to expect random challenges from across the industry, as well as day-to-day life – including some domestic skills, she laughs.
“We’ve got dairy, contracting, sheep and beef, and more…we’re showcasing how much our young farmers get up to and the realities of day-to-day farm life.
‘‘It’s about challenging our regional finalists on a range of skill sets that they need to have to succeed in the industry.”
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 farming.
Letham recently moved back to Ashburton from Lincoln, starting a new role with Dairy Holdings Limited as a supervisor managing five farms across Canterbury.
“Moving back to Ashburton has been a homecoming for me.”
“There’s a lot of learning going on in the role that I hope to bring into the competition, and meeting new people at the Hinds Young Farmers Club means my network is branching out.”
NZ Young Farmers chief executive officer Cheyne Gillooly said the contest was well-loved as it gave talented young farmers space to shine in the spotlight and connect with like-minded others.
It can be hard to do in the industry, he said.
“With our AgriKidsNZ events for primary-aged competitors and FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year competitions running alongside the Regional Finals Young Farmers event, collectively the day is a true celebration of agriculture and the people who drive it – with a healthy dose of competition of course,” Gillooly said.
This year, 10 primary schools, and five high schools from Aorangi region have thrown their hat in the ring.
Stilgoe said following hotly contested district competitions – with the highest attendance in recent years – the 2026 finalists have already cut their teeth to make it to the region finals.
“While the hard work isn’t over, my advice to them is to go out there and have fun.”
