Third time lucky for Young Farmer

Third time lucky for Young Farmer

Sully Alsop will be representing the East Coast in the ANZ Young Farmer Contest Grand Final.

Mr Alsop was the top competitor over the weekend in the East Coast Regional Final in Hastings at the Hawke’s Bay Showgrounds and Lindisfarne College.

“I’m relieved, more than anything,” commented Mr Alsop after the big win on Saturday; he placed second and third in the past two Regional Finals.

Mr Alsop went home with a prize pack worth over $10,000 including cash, scholarships and products and services from ANZ, Lincoln University, Ravensdown, AGMARDT, Silver Fern Farms, Honda, Husqvarna and Vodafone.

Second place went to Bernie Cox, South Wairarapa Club, followed by James Greer, Tikokino Club, and Richard Cameron, South Wairarapa Club, in fourth.
Mr Alsop also won three out of four of the challenges: Lincoln University Agri-growth, AGMARDT Agri-business and Ravensdown Agri-skills.

Mr Greer took out the Silver Fern Farms Agri-sports Challenge.

The day started out well for Mr Alsop with a strong lead after a complex written exam, but it was the evening show question rounds that proved the most challenging.

“It’s really hitting home how much studying is ahead of me,” he said.

Mr Alsop commended the event organisers for their efforts; “They did a really good job of it this year. It was the best combination of practical challenges that I’ve seen at a Regional Final,” he said.

Some of the challenges included erecting a bird scarer, walking on a barrel, hauling cement blocks on a sled they made out of branches and a fire safety module.

In preparation for the contest Mr Alsop relied on work colleagues and friends to study and improve his skills. “The contest pushes me to make the time to learn extra skills and theory that I don't already have,” he commented.

Mr Alsop belongs to the Wairarapa Club and said he had a great contingent of club members out supporting him on the day.

The thirty year old works as an agribusiness consultant based out of Masterton and owns a farming business with his wife, Katie. He also holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Farm Management.

Mr Alsop is the sixth Grand Finalist to be named and he will be joining six other Young Farmers from across the country 3-5 July in Christchurch at the Grand Final where over $300,000 in prizes is up for grabs.

Be sure to tune in to ‘Road To The Young Farmer Final’. The series covers each of the seven Regional Finals and follows the seven top achievers who make it through to the Grand Final. Catch all the action starting Sunday 18th May, 9.30pm exclusively on TVNZ Heartland.
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