Alumni battle it out for top spot

Sam Hodsall’s win booked his spot in the grand final in July, with Tom Blackmore runner-up.

The contest is based around four strainers – technology and innovation, environment, people, and food. Sam won three of the strainers, as well as the exam prize.

He has a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) degree, and now works as a 50/50 sharemilker with his partner on his parents’ farm near Taramoa, milking 600 cows on 250 hectares.

The 28-year-old spent time in Australia, expanding his agricultural experience on a sheep, beef and cropping farm, before coming home to get stuck into his dairying career.

"I really enjoy what I do. Agriculture is it for me. So doing this competition is an extension of what I love to do, and that's been my main motivation," he said.

Tom also has a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) and is a stock manager at Limehills Herefords in Millers Flat, Central Otago.

Eight regional finalists competed in Invercargill on Saturday, with Lincoln alumni, Adam Callaghan and Andrew Cowie, also in the field.

Adam has a Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Science and a Diploma in Farm Management and has started his own sheep scanning run in Cave, as a strategy to earn the capital to enter into farm ownership.

Sheep and beef farmer, Andrew, has the same Lincoln qualifications as Adam and manages the family farm in Otapiri.

Congratulations to all the competitors.

Lincoln University is one of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition sponsors, as it offers a fantastic opportunity for New Zealand’s emerging agricultural talent to shine.