After being named Otago Southland’s top young farmer, another dairy farmer is now in contention for the national title.

Thomas Slee, 28 from Nightcaps, was announced as the winner of the Otago Southland FMG Young Farmer of the Year on Saturday evening, after spending the day competing in a series of challenges at the Gore A&P Showgrounds in Southland.

The FMG Young Farmer of the Year is a highlight in the rural calendar, boasting a strong track record of showcasing the rising stars in New Zealand’s food and fibre sector – igniting contestants’ competitive streak and setting the bar for excellence in agriculture.

Thomas Slee, winner of the Otago Southland FMG Young Farmer of the Year. Photo: Supplied

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“It’s pretty surreal. I guess the prep starts now for Grand Final”.

Three age-based categories were featured in the competition. Primary school pupils tackled AgriKids NZ, high school students competed for the FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year title, while eight finalists battled for the coveted Young Farmer of the Year crown.

Slee clocked up the most points on the day with 271, defeating Henry Smith (258) from Clinton and Harry McCallum (234) from Te Anau.

The competition featured 5 grueling challenges including the always intense Agri-Sports and an intense ‘buzzer-style’ quiz that rewarded quick thinking.

Each task was crafted to expose how well contestants could apply their practical skills and technical knowledge while working against the clock.

Thomas was calculated throughout the day, making sure to focus on the detail across his modules and the always exciting Agri-sports..

The head-to-head featured the contestants making a possum trap after being given a trap to look at the start of the challenge.

It was a great day with hundreds turning out for the Final, as well as more spectators casting their eye over as they walked around the rest of the Gore A&P Show.

The AgriKids NZ competition saw New Zealand’s youngest farmers share their new-generation know-how across a series of modules, with the top teams then competing in the infamous race off.

AgriKids competitions. Photo: Supplied

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The NSC team (Northern Southland College, Slade, Fletcher and Lucian) took out the top spot for the AgriKids NZ, followed by the Limehills Young Farmers (Limehills School, Angus, Will and Hunter) and Drummond Duck shooters (Drummond School, Toby, Jack and Cole) rounding out the top 3.

Meanwhile, Lara Heiss and Emily Reid from Blue Mountain College took out the Junior Young Farmer of the Year title for Otago Southland and Jack Horrel and Hunter Norman from Southland Boys High School came in second.

Along with Slee, the top 3 AgriKids NZ and top 2 FMG Junior teams will now compete in July’s Grand Final in New Plymouth.

New Zealand Young Farmers CEO Cheyne Gillooly says it’s been great to see friends, family, and Young Farmers club members supporting their fellow contestants, with Season 58 turning over the highest attendance of entrants in recent years.

“FMG Young Farmer of the Year is a true celebration of agriculture and the people who drive it. From the youngest contestant just beginning, to the oldest who is giving it their last shot, the strength in which people show up for their community makes me so proud of what Young Farmers represents.”