Farming
A stock manager at the iconic Mount Linton Station has joined the race to be the next FMG Young Farmer of the Year.
Jacob Mackie, 25, has qualified for the Otago/Southland regional final in Milton next February.
“I’m stoked to get through. This will be my first time competing in a regional final,” said the Nightcaps Young Farmers member.
Mount Linton Station near Ohai is one of the country’s largest privately-owned stations.
“We run about 100,000 stock units on 13,500 hectares. The business has about 25 staff,” said Jacob.
“We winter the majority of our stock on kale, swedes and fodder beet, and fatten lambs on red clover and pasture.”
Jacob has a Diploma in Agribusiness from Telford.
“I’m not from a farming background. I grew up on a lifestyle block in Taumarunui in the King Country,” he said.
“I was either going to undertake a building apprenticeship or go farming after high school, and I chose agriculture.”
Jacob is one of eight food producers vying to represent the Otago/Southland region at the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final in Hawke’s Bay.
He will face off against Tom Blackmore, James Robson, Linton Palmer, Luke Templeton, Matt McRae, Allen Gregory and Zac Thomas.
Tom Blackmore, 23, is a block manager at Limehills Herefords in Roxburgh, which runs 13,000 stock units on 4000 hectares.
“We have five blocks which range from intensive grazing to tussock country. I look after the finishing side of the operation,” he said.
Tom has a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) from Lincoln University and is looking forward to his first regional final.
“It’s a strong line-up of competitors. I will give it my best shot and see what happens,” he said.
The Otago/Southland Regional Final of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year is being held in Milton on February 16th 2019.