Young farmers shine at regional finals
Grand Finalists have been selected, all regional finals have concluded, and the journey towards the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final is underway.
The thirty-year-old dairy farmer took first place at the Northern Regional Final in Dargaville on Saturday 18 April after a very tense and closely scored competition.
McGregor went home with a prize pack worth over $10,000 including cash, scholarships, and products and services.
This was McGregor's second attempt at regional final level of the ANZ Young Farmer Contest. He is a very active member of the Bay of Island Young Farmers Club and is the Northern Region vice-chairman. McGregor was competing against 26-year-old Anna Simpson, who doubles as the winner's partner.
Second place went to 28-year-old herd manager, Guy Bakewell, of the Bay of Islands Young Farmers Club. He took home $2,900 worth of prizes. Bakewell also took home top honours in both the Lincoln University Agri-Growth Challenge and the Ravensdown Agri-Skills Challenge.
Third place went to Whangarei Young Farmers Club member, Jake Thompson (26). Thompson won the AGMARDT Agri-Business Challenge. Fourth place went to Colin Beazley (28) from the Kaipara Young Farmers Club – Colin was called up to compete a week before the regional final after one Contestant broke his collarbone.
The Silver Fern Farms Agri-Sports Challenge winner was 26-year-old Kelvin Meek of the Franklin Young Farmers Club.
Douglas McGregor is the last Grand Finalist selected for the 2015 ANZ Young Farmer Contest. He will join six Contestants from around the country in Taupo 2 – 4 July at Grand Final in a bid to take home the title of 2015 ANZ Young Farmer Contest Grand Champion.
