Northern Last To Find Their Grand Finalist

23/03/2012

Northern Last To Find Their Grand Finalist

The 2012 Regional Finals of The National Bank Young Farmers Contest have seen a husband and wife compete against each other on the East Coast, the Steegh’s brothers battled it out in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty and now two brothers will be pitted against each other again in the final Regional Final for 2012.

Ian and Tim Douglas will be competing against each at the Northern Regional Final next Saturday (March 31st) during the Practical Day at Caledonian Park in Waipu before going on to the Evening Show at the Waipu Hall (tickets available at www.eventfinder.co.nz).

The brothers both come from very different backgrounds but now manage the family’s 1000 cow dairy farm together in Whangarei.

Twenty seven year old Tim Douglas has a partner My-Annie and has previously been employed as a Bartender, Ski Patroller and a Pilot. Tim is new to the Whangarei Club and the Contest. He is also a bit of a dare devil and will be heading to Norway this year to take park in large formation skydiving.

His brother Ian is new to NZYF too – he joined the Whangarei Club late last year. He’s also new to his career as a dairy farmer after recently moving home from Australia, with partner Rowena. Previously he was employed as the Restaurant Manager at Maze by Gordon Ramsay in Melbourne.

Several of the Douglas’ fellow Club members will be joining them at the Regional Final including Matt Marr who will be competing in his first Regional Final this year. The 22 year old holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) from Lincoln University and works as an Agribusiness Banker dealing with dairy, sheep, beef, kumara and avocado farmer.

Benson Horsford is married to Chevon and no doubt their two boys Flynn (four years old) and Lachlan (one year old) will be cheering their Dad on at the Regional Final. The 28 year old joined the Whangarei Club in November last year and this will be his first Regional Final. Benson is a Herd Manager on a 340 cow dairy unit in Kawakawa.

Aaron Hunt holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Lincoln University and is a Rural Valuer in Northland. The 29 year old has a partner Hayley and has held Club and Regional positions within New Zealand Young Farmers. He enjoys being involved in his community and is a member of the Northern Search and Rescue along with several other community committees as well.

The final Whangarei member is the Club Chair John Kenworthy-Thompson who competed at the Northern Regional Final last year. The 20 year old Engineer enjoys diving and hunting and has a long term goal of farm ownership within the next 15 years.

Katherine Tucker is another returning Regional Finalist this year – she was second in 2011. The 26 year old is an Equity Partner and Second in Charge on her family’s dairy farm, milking 630 pedigree jersey cows. Katherine is the current Kaipara Club Chair; she is the convenor of her local DairyNZ discussion group and enjoys dancing, horse riding, ice skating and reading.

This will be 31 year old Matt Smith’s third and final chance at Regional Final. He has a Diploma in Agriculture and is an Equity Manager on a 450 cow dairy unit with wife Cushla. The Kaipara Club member lists running the New York Marathon as one of his long term goals along with increasing the size of their existing farm.

All eight Regional Finalists will be vying for the final spot at the Grand Final in Dunedin from May 23rd to 26th this year. They’ll also be keen to get their hands on the winner’s prize pack that includes products and services from The National Bank, Lincoln University, Ravensdown, AGMARDT, Silver Fern Farms, Honda, Swanndri and Echo. The winner’s prize pack is valued at over $10,000.

Also taking place alongside the Contest are the AgriKidsNZ and TeenAg Competitions – where competitors will also be trying to claim a spot at the Grand Final in Dunedin on May 25th. The top three teams from each Competition will have the opportunity to progress through.

For more information go to www.youngfarmercontest.co.nz or contact

ENDS

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