ACC backs young farmers with FMG Young Farmer of the Year partnership
The Government has announced that ACC will be a sponsor of this year's FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition.
Tim Dangen has secured himself the final spot at the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final for Season 54.
Danger, a 29-year-old beef farmer and calf rearer in Muriwai, was announced as the winner of the Northern FMG Young Farmer of the Year on Saturday night after a full day of challenges.
Following closely in the runner-up position was Lisa Kendall and in third place, Sam Waugh, both members of Franklin Young Farmers.
Dangen says he was rapt to take the win after putting in a lot of preparation in the lead-up to the event.
“It’s always bugged me a bit coming second in the previous three Regional Finals,” he says. “It’s nice to go one better and the hard work has paid off.”
In the lead-up to the Grand Final in July, Dangen says he will be calling on his support networks to help him prepare, including fellow Grand Finalist and brother-in-law, Chris Poole, who took out the Waikato Bay of Plenty FMG Young Farmer of the Year at the beginning of March.
“It will be a bit of fun, we will try and lean on each other’s strengths and help each other out,” he says.
Upon receiving the award at the evening show, Tim, an Auckland Young Farmers member, was extremely appreciative of the volunteers and committees behind the scenes.
“A huge thanks to the team of sponsors that make it all happen, without you the Contest can’t happen, and it’s such a vital part of the primary industries. It’s great to be out doing something like this with a bunch of great people!” he said.
The contest is based on four pillars – agri-skills, agri-business, agri-sports and agri-knowledge.
The FMG Young Farmer of the Year Contest Series is sponsored by FMG, Ravensdown, Worksafe, MPI, Environmental Protection Authority, STIHL, Massey University, Lincoln University, New Holland and PTS Logistics.
Joshua Irving has been named the 2026 Ormond Nurseries North Canterbury Young Viticulturist of the Year.
Vets say they support the responsible use of virtual fencing and virtual herding technology for cattle and wants to work with farmers, manufacturers and government to help shape standards for future use backed by ongoing research to strengthen animal welfare outcomes.
National and world records tumbled as top Kiwi axeman claimed two Stihl Timbersports world titles at the same event in Budapest, Hungary over the first weekend in June.
A safety push across New Zealand has revealed significant gaps in hazardous substances management, farm vehicles, tractors, quad bikes and side-by-sides.
New Zealand farmers have earned a global edge by consistently yet cautiously taking advantage of emerging agri-technology.
New season data from LIC shows a strong reproductive performance for the 2025-26 season, with a lift in key metrics compared to last season.

OPINION: Central Hawke's Bay farmer Mark Warren recently told the Hawke's Bay Times it's time for a conversation about allowing…
OPINION: A nation that relies as heavily as NZ does on functional global shipping lanes will have to do its…