Twenty nine-year-old Mataura sheep, beef and arable farmer Zac Thomas is one step closer to taking out one of New Zealand’s most prestigious farming awards after being crowned Otago Southland FMG Young Farmer of the Year on Saturday night (10 Feb). 

Thomas' victory came after two days of intense competition where he battled it out against eight other regional finalists at Wingatui Racecourse in Mosgiel.

A veteran of two previous competition attempts, Thomas is the stock manager on his family’s farm and an active member of the Waitane Young Farmers Club.

“I came into the weekend with no expectations, so to get the win was an awesome surprise,” he said. 

“It’s a bit surreal to get the win, the biggest challenge was making sure I kept calm. I took on each challenge as it came up, and didn’t worry about what had already been done,” he explained.

Saturday’s last challenge of the day, the head-to-head, was the weekend’s major highlight, with over 200 spectators watching as contestants were put through their paces.

Otago Southland young farmers compete in the head-to-head challenge on Saturday. Photo: Supplied

Working side-by-side, they had just 30 minutes to work their way through a farm accident scenario including completing first aid on a casualty, removing a tree from a road, putting up a temporary fence, and more.

“I really enjoyed the head-to-heads this year, they were a good mix of mental and physical challenge, it was the perfect amount of suffering and a good show for the crowd” Thomas said.

Thomas said he has yet to plan his grand final approach but in the lead-up will be focusing on filling knowledge and skill gaps.

Second place went to Thomas Slee, 26, from Nightcaps Young Farmers while Sam Anderson, 30, from Thornbury Young Farmers was third. 

Otago Southland FMG Junior Young Farmers of the Year

1 Shamus Young and Hayden Drummond of Otago Boys’ High School.

2 Jessie McFadzien and Chonelle Ayson from Maruawai College 

Otago Southland AgriKidsNZ winners. Hauroko Valley Primary School Southern Boys' Oliver Chamberlain (12), Tomas Clarke (12) and Sam Horrell (12). Photo: Supplied

Otago Southland AgriKidsNZ

1 Hauroko Valley Primary School Southern Boys Oliver Chamberlain (12), Tomas Clarke (12) and Sam Horrell (12).

2 Winton Cowboys made up of Spencer White (12), Zephrin Latchford (12) and Maddox Whitaker (12).

3 Heddon Bush Heroes made up of Harri Hogg (12), Isabelle Hogg (12) and Alex Shallue (12).

Winton Cowboys' Spencer White (12), Zephrin Latchford (12) and Maddox Whitaker (12). Photo: Supplied

Heddon Bush Heroes' Harri Hogg (12), Isabelle Hogg (12) and Alex Shallue (12). Photo: Supplied

The most prestigious farming award in the country, the 56th FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final will be held in Hamilton in July.

Junior Young Farmers and AgriKidsNZ placegetters have also been invited to the finals.