Alumni claim minor placings in rescheduled Young Farmers

The event, originally scheduled to take place in February, was postponed due to the Covid- 19 lockdown in Auckland.

Sales manager Calvin Ball won the regional competition, while Lincoln University Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) graduate Tim Dangen came second.

Tim, an Aucklander, runs the family farm at Muriwai and he’s working his way to full ownership. He looks forward to continuing the 40 years of family history at Kauri Valley Farm.

“I’m stoked with my placing,” he said. “It was such stiff competition, and it really could have gone any way. Calvin is a great competitor and more than deserves the win. He’ll do great at the Grand Final.”

Lincoln alumna and new mum, Lisa Kendall, qualified for the cancelled Grand Final last year, and competed in 2017.

She has a Diploma in Agriculture and Diploma in Farm Management from Lincoln and is now an agricultural contractor. She also works as a sheep milker and a part-time fitness instructor.

“It’s been tough in the lead-up to the competition, with being a new mum,” she said.

“I’ve been juggling lack of sleep, work and a baby, but that’s the reality of farming these days. It’s really important that farming mums are represented in these types of competitions.”

The eight regional finalists competed in eight modules and battled it out head-to-head in two time and point races at Pukekohe Showgrounds on Saturday.

Contestants had to build a fence, plant a riparian strip, set up irrigation, chainsaw a log, cook an omelette, paint a sign, and showcase their first aid skills. A written exam and a buzzer quiz also tested the regional finalists’ knowledge.

The Grand Final is in Christchurch from 1-3 July.

Lincoln University is a proud sponsor of the event, as well as Junior Young Farmer and AgriKids.

Image: Lisa Kendall, who came third in the Northland FMG Young Farmer of the Year regional final.