- Invercargill will host the prestigious FMG Young Farmer of the Year grand final in 2025.
- The competition kicks off with district contests, leading to a challenging grand final in July.
- Top young farmers will compete for national titles across three categories: Senior, Junior, and AgriKids.
Invercargill has been selected to host the FMG Young Farmer of the Year grand final in 2025, marking a significant event in New Zealand’s agricultural calendar. The contest, now entering its 57th year, is the country’s premier farming competition and will bring together the best young talent from across New Zealand.
The contest journey begins in October 2024, when up to 200 young farmers will compete in district competitions, vying for a chance to reach the grand final. “After proving themselves at a district level, contestants will then need to go head-to-head against the best in their region. Only those who top their field will qualify for a spot on the national stage,” said Young Farmers Chief Executive Lynda Coppersmith.
She emphasized the intense dedication required to reach the grand final, stating, “By that point, they will have put their blood, sweat, and tears into it. Just making it to the grand final is an enormous feat, with only seven national finalists selected from across the country.”
In addition to the senior contest, the event will feature 14 FMG Junior Young Farmers of the Year teams and 21 AgriKidsNZ teams competing for their respective national titles. The challenges faced by finalists will remain secret until the day of the event, pushing contestants to hone their skills and expand their farming knowledge in preparation. “It’s a quest for the ultimate farming all-rounder,” Coppersmith added.
Emma Wilson, the 2025 grand final convenor and Otago/Southland Young Farmers representative, expressed her pride in showcasing Southland’s diverse farming landscape. “We’ve got a lot of different industries in one small pocket – from vineyards to sheep, beef, and dairy. There’s even tulip farming,” she said, highlighting the region’s unique agricultural character.
The upcoming season is expected to be highly competitive, with many local young farmers eager to compete on home turf. “Farming is a big part of our identity down here. We have deep-rooted knowledge passed down through generations, but we’re also innovators with a practical ‘number eight wire’ mentality,” Wilson noted, expressing her excitement for what the competitors will bring to the table.
Entries for the 57th season of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year open on 2 September 2024, with entries for the Junior and AgriKids categories opening on 21 October 2024.