Woman front runner in Young Farmers Contest

Front runner may be Young Farmers¹ next woman grand finalist

The prospect of Louise Collingwood becoming the first woman grand finalist since 1981 adds an extra edge to the Waikato-Bay of Plenty regional final of the WRIGHTSON AGMARDT YOUNG FARMER CONTEST.

The regional final, which will take place in Morrinsville on April 12, has picked up on the town¹s theme of ³cream of the country.²

Regional manager Lisa Anderson said with Waikato-Bay of Plenty being such a strong force in farming in New Zealand, it had always produced high calibre regional finalists. ³It would be appropriate if it also produced the next woman grand finalist.

³Louise is very strong on theory and has past experience in the contest but she will have to win on her own merits. There will be no favours because she is a woman.²

Collingwood, who was runner-up last year to regional winner James Allen, is a product developer for Dexcel specialising in business planning and human resources. In her spare time she likes growing giant pumpkins.

The strongest threats to Collingwood¹s chances may come from previous regional finalist Euan Reeve, an Otorohanga share milker, and Whakatane dairy production manager Allan Ramsay.

Brian Pearson, a Huntly farm manager and Andrew Morris, a Morrinsville factory worker, are newcomers to regional level competition and will be out to make their mark.

David Morrell, a South Waikato share milker, Mike Healy, a Hamilton roofing worker, and Geoff Crispe, a Te Aroha share milker, make up the rest of the finalists.

The winner, as well as taking away a prize package worth $8895, will go on to the grand final in Hastings from July 3 to 5.

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