FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 05/03/2012

Husband and wife set to battle it out in East Coast Regional Final

A recently married couple will be competing against each other at the East Coast Regional Final for The National Bank Young Farmer Contest in Carterton this Saturday (10th March).

In a rare circumstance for the Contest; Duncan Brown will be competing against new wife Michelle. The couple lease the Brown family farm with Duncan’s brother Angus. Twenty nine year old Michelle manages the dairy farm with 30 year old Duncan who is also involved in the farming operation’s other ventures which include sheep and beef finishing. The couple have long been involved in New Zealand Young Farmers and the Contest and are current members of the Ballance Club. Duncan has entered the Contest six times and convened a Regional Final three times. The couple both hold qualifications from several agricultural tertiary institutions.

The Practical Day of the East Coast Regional Final will be held at the Clareville A&P Showgrounds from 8.00am followed by the Evening Show at the Carterton Events Centre from 7.00pm (tickets are $25 and available from Bakers & Associates and The National Bank Masterton).

Newlyweds Duncan and Michelle will not only be competing against each other; but six other keen Regional Finalists including fellow Ballance Club member Aaron Passey. Aaron grew up in the city but always dreamt of being a farmer. The 29 year old is now a Contract Milker on a 260 cow Dairy unit in the Tararua District. He’s engaged to Jo and they have two children, Lauren and Amanda, with another one on the way. Aaron holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture).

Thirty year old Mike Croad is no stranger to the Contest – he competed in the Grand Final in Masterton last year. Mike has a partner, Philippa, and has been heavily involved with NZYF. He’s the current Regional Chair for the East Coast Region, has competed in three Regional Finals, and is a member of the Eskview Club. Mike manages a 1000ha sheep and beef block in Woodville and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science.

Twenty seven year old Stefan Robinson is an equity manager on a 570 cow dairy farm near Greytown. He is chairman of the Wairarapa Club, has been actively involved in NZYF over the years and is standing for a Vice Chair position with the East Coast Regional Executive this year. Stefan was on the Grand Final Committee in 2011 and helped organise the fencing and stock judging competitions for the National Finals.

Tony Dowman is a Farm Business Manager in Masterton and oversees the physical and financial performance of several dairy, sheep, beef and crop farms. He also share farms a 60ha finishing block near Masterton. The 26 year old is a member of the Wairarapa Club and was the New Zealand Young Farmers Competitions Coordinator at the 2011 National Finals.

Sully Alsop is also a member of the Wairarapa Club – he joined New Zealand Young Farmers last year after being involved with the 2011 Grand Final; he has also helped out with the TeenAg programme. Sully is a Sheep and Beef Consultant and leases a 120ha sheep and beef property. He has a partner called Katie and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Farm Management.

Russell Heald’s wife Charlotte and two children Isabelle and Henry will be cheering their Dad on this weekend. The 28 year old from the Tikokino Club has been a NZYF member since 2002. Russell is a sharemilker in Takapau; milking 285 cows and getting ready to milk 420 next season.

The eight Regional Finalists will be competing for their share of over $20,000 worth of prizes; with the winner taking away over $10,000 and the right to compete in the 2012 Grand Final in Dunedin from May 23rd – 26th. The winner’s prize pack includes: a Honda XR125 two-wheeled farm bike valued at $4000, a $1500 Lincoln University Scholarship, $1000 cash and $500 towards a capability development programme from AGMARDT, $1000 worth of Ravensdown quality fertiliser products, $1000 from The National Bank, clothing valued at $750 from Swanndri and Silver Fern Farms will provide a package of quality produce valued at $500.

AgriKidsNZ and TeenAg Competitions will also be taking place alongside the Practical Day. Registrations are still open with limited spaces left - call 0508 247 454 to enter. The top three teams from each Competition will head through to the Grand Final on May 25th in Dunedin.

For more information go to www.youngfarmercontest.co.nz and click on MEDIA CENTRE or contact:

ENDS

© Scoop Media