FMG Juniors showcase the future of farming

ACROSS Aotearoa, 14 FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year teams are busy preparing for their shot at a national title.

The two-day contest for highschool-aged students will see the top two teams from each region come together to tackle a range of challenges, designed to test them on aspects of modern farming across the whole supply chain.

The winning team will be crowned FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year at an evening awards ceremony on Friday July 7.

St Bede’s College students

Michael Blunt and Zander McCloy are among the top contestants, having qualified when they secured the title of Tasman FMG

We both made a commitment this year to go all out and put in as much effort as possible.

As year 13s, it’s our last year competing in the FMG Junior category.

Junior Young Farmers of the Year at the Tasman Regional Final earlier this year.

“I think it’s fair to say that we’re both feeling a mixture of nervousness and excitement heading into the Grand Final,” Zander says. “We both made a commitment this year to go all out and put in as much effort as possible. As year 13s, it’s our last year competing in the FMG Junior category, so we’re pretty happy to be giving this opportunity to go to the Grand Final and have that experience,” he says.

The pair are preparing for the contest by studying and are spending their spare time honing their practical skills with support from their supervisor, John McPhail.

“Obviously, we won’t know what challenges the boys will face until the day, but we’re putting our best foot forward and preparing for a range of scenarios,” McPhail says.

He says the boys have been lucky to have three former St Bede’s students as role models. Brothers Nick and Peter O’Connor, and Mac Williams, are all Grand Finalists this year.

“It’s awesome to see our students coming out on top – and it shows Michael and Zander what can be achieved if you put the hard work in.”

Michael’s dream to compete in a Grand Final started in 2018, when he and his family made the trip to Invercargill to watch his brother compete in the Grand Final.

“I remember thinking the atmosphere was awesome. I really enjoyed the hype and the buildup, and it was cool to support my brother every step of the way.”

Michael is proud to continue his family’s tradition. His father, Anthony Blunt, won the coveted title of Young Farmer of the Year back in 1991.

“My dad is a third-generation sheep and beef farmer from Kaikōura, so it’s pretty special to be able to carry on in his footsteps and make him proud.”

New Zealand Young Farmers chief executive Lynda Coppersmith says the competition creates an awesome opportunity for highschool students to get involved in the agricultural sector.

“Hopefully they’ll feel really inspired. There’s so much more to farming than mustering sheep and milking cows. There’s a lot of pathways people can go down, and being able to showcase that is just one of the many great things about this competition.”

Nowinto our eighth year as the principal sponsor of FMG Young Farmer of the Year, we’re excited to see Season 55 in full swing, with the grand final just around the corner. The Young Farmer, Junior Young Farmer, and AgriKids competitors have been hard at it in the lead up to the Final and we’ve thrown in even more to compete for with the FMG Region-off!

Ask any farmer to name the best farming region in New Zealand and they’ll give you the same answer, ”my region”. So, now’s the time to settle it. You may remember FMG People’s Choice from previous seasons. Well, this year we’ve mixed it up, shifting the focus to align with one of FMG’s core values – community. The FMG Region-off encourages participation not only from our Young Farmers, but also our Junior Young Farmers and AgriKids, all vying for glory in a regional showdown!

What’s up for grabs? Provincial glory is at stake obviously, but also the winning region wins a $5,000 cash prize for their chosen local charity.

The FMG Region-off kicked off on 7 June and participants have been taking part in a variety of team challenges while also giving back to their community.

It has become obvious, that while points are at stake, the best part to these challenges is giving back to the community.

Young Farmer teams can embrace their wellbeing, and the wellbeing of those in their community, while also earning points for their region. It’s all part of the Be Farmstrong Challenge – an idea that is centred around Farmstrong’s ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing.’ International research found that people who thrive have five things in common, they:

1. feel connected with others

2. take notice of the simple things

3. give regularly

4. keep learning

5. are physically active.

There has been great participation, especially from our next generation of Young Farmers. They’ve been out in their local communities, getting stuck in and giving back to the community in a variety of ways.

We’ve seen AgriKids and Junior Young Farmers out filling up bags of rubbish at their local reserve, drenching lambs, planting native trees, helping with fencing, and much more. Teams are actively planning other activities, for example our Otago Southland AgriKids will be gardening at a retirement village, and delivering food to local pensioners, and our Waikato Bay of Plenty AgriKids are taking firewood to local elderly, and helping an injured farmer continue to get things done. It has become obvious that while points are at stake, the best part to these challenges is giving back to the community.

So, who will win the 2023 FMG Region-off? It’s up to you!

Join us in getting in behind your region’s Young Farmers and help support strong and prosperous rural communities. Visit fmg.co.nz/ region-off to check out the challenges and vote for your deserving region. You’ll also go in the draw to win a $500 Prezzy Card*.

Voting closes at 5pm on 8 July, and the winning region will be announced at the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final.

Frasertown, Wairoa 1720 Lake Road

Tender

Starter package

• 251 ha of Wairoa Hill Country

• Three stand raised board woolshed

• Sheep and cattle yards

• Two satellite sheep yards

• 13 main paddocks

• Great stock water

Located only 15 minutes out of Wairoa towards Lake Waikaremoana. This farm offers great opportunity into the world of farm ownership or would make a great addition to any farming operation.

Pohangina 2373 Pohangina Valley East Road

Tender closes 4.00pm, Thu 27th Jul, 2023 (unless sold prior), 66 Reads Quay, Gisborne View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/GIR164610

Tom Lane

M 027 866 5263 E toml@pb.co.nz

Fenton Wilson

M 027 498 4483 E fenton.wilson@pb.co.nz

Konewa Station - 490 ha (STS)

Located in the renowned farming district of the Pohangina Valley, Konewa Station runs from the Pohangina River to the bush edge of the Ruahine ranges. The 490 ha offers a diverse range of land classes, from fertile flats to the boundary of the forest park. The property has been subject to an extensive development program in recent years, giving the ability to run any class of stock, from breeding to finishing. The contour balance is approx. 40% cultivatable and 60% grazing. The existing farming system is 80% finishing and 20% breeding. Improvements on the property include a 4-bedroom homestead plus excellent garaging and sleepout set in mature grounds, 3 stand woolshed, multiple sets of sheep and cattle yards, implement/hay shed and sundry farm buildings. Providing outstanding productivity along with hunting and fishing opportunities, Konewa Station is unequalled. This property demands the consideration of anyone wanting to take advantage of such a rare opportunity.

4 3 2

Tender closes 11.00am, Wed 26th Jul, 2023, 54 Kimbolton Road, Feilding View Wed 21 & 28 June - Farm tour commences at 10.30am 4 wheeler required Web pb.co.nz/FR164137

Blair Cottrill M 027 354 5419 E blair@pb.co.nz

Ted Shannon M 021 833 536 E ted.shannon@pb.co.nz

Stuart Sutherland M 027 452 1155 E stuarts@pb.co.nz

Owhango 47A Otapouri Road

Open Day

Ohura 17 Waikaka Road

Ultimate Otapouri

On the very popular Otapouri road in Owhango is this country charmer home. The home was built in 2010 and has a very practical layout. Keeping the home warm was focused on in the design of the home, heated via underfloor heating powered by a large diesel heater. This heater also heats the water when it is not heated by a solar water heating system. A large kitchen and open plan living space makes the most of the rural views from the home's position. There are four bedrooms, with the master having a very spacious ensuite. An internal access garage plus car port completes the home. The 9.9 ha property boasts beautiful country views of rolling Owhango flats and Mt Ruapehu.

Taumarunui 36 Kirikau Valley Road

4 2 1 2

Auction 11.00am, Thu 20th Jul, 2023, (unless sold prior), Property Brokers, 27 Hakiaha Street, Taumarunui View Sun 2 Jul 1.00 - 2.00pm Web pb.co.nz/TUR118991

Katie Walker M 027 757 7477

Rosevears

This is an immaculately presented 37.16 ha property with fantastic contour. The property stretches from fertile river flats to easy rolling hills with some medium hills. The property is currently part of a larger farming business, so it has a solid fertilser history and has been grazed well. It has been cropped, contoured and re grassed with quality Rye grass and Clover cultivars and is clean country with minimal weeds. The current owners fatten cattle and winter lambs, but the options could be endless. It could be used for planting maize and other crops. The property is well supported with its own spring water that is reticulated to troughs.

Taumarunui 426 Pukeatua Road

Kirikau Valley

If you are looking for the next property to step up on the farm ownership ladder then this 51.51 ha in the Kirikau Valley, Taumarunui could be for you. There are approx 11 ha of flat to rolling land at the front of the property that provides area to harvest supplement feed, grow crops or for fattening stock. The farm rises from flats to easy hills to steeper hills at the rear of the farm. Everything musters downhill to a well equipped three stand woolshed or to the cattle yards with load out. There is a good level of subdivision with 18 paddocks, a fenced laneway to the woolshed / yards, some are deer fences so there is potential to farm deer.

Hunt this down

4 1 For Sale By Negotiation View By appointment Web

426 Pukeatua Road is a 40 minute drive from Taumarunui and is an ideal haven for hunters, outdoor enthusiasts and honey production. It is at the end of a quiet gravel road, mainly surrounded by native bush reserve and pine tree boundaries. There are currently hives on the farm with potential to keep hives on for this summer or longer. There is approximately 60 ha of deer fenced ground plus a deer shed that with a bit of work could be used again as would the sheep yards. The farm currently has wild deer in the deer fenced area but could potentially carry 500 su of livestock again. You could farm the deer or leave them just for hunting and recreational activities.

Canterbury 761 Homebush Road, Darfield

Motivated vendors have purchased elsewhere!

Situated in a coveted farming location providing a quality living environment underpinned by an immaculately presented land asset, currently running as dairy support and wintering cows. At 185.0532 hectares this wellpresented farm leverages highly-fertile soils and comprehensive irrigation to support the successful arable and dairy grazing operation. The thoughtfully-designed homestead combines a modern layout with cosy country styling, a sheltered outdoor BBQ area, expansive lawn and carefully maintained gardens. This exceptionally wellmanaged property is equipped with all the infrastructure you could need for continued performance. Located just a few minutes from Darfield township and under 45 minutes door-to-door to Christchurch city. This property is available for acquisition and accordingly, offers are sought from potential purchasers. bayleys.co.nz/5520130

185.0532ha

Deadline Sale (unless sold prior)

12pm, Tue 4 Jul 2023

3 Deans Avenue, Christchurch

Phone for viewing times

Ben Turner 027 530 1400 ben.turner@bayleys.co.nz

Craig Blackburn 027 489 7225 craig.blackburn@bayleys.co.nz

Wellsford Oldfield Road

Welcome to the rock!

Welcome to "Te Toka" ('the rock'), a stunning 249-hectare grazing and lifestyle property. Its landmark rock headland stands tall, overlooking all. With breathtaking 360-degree views, the property offers an ever-changing panorama, that stretches as far as the eye can see, from Hen and Chicken islands in the east to the Kaipara Harbour in the west. The farm has a flat to medium hill contour which has been meticulously farmed and subdivided into 25 paddocks, featuring an airstrip, a large four-bay implement shed, and a rustic yet charming 'shepherd’s’ cottage'. Its native bush provides potential for multiple onsite titles and TTR opportunities, with ETS income streams, and there's plenty for the hunter with wild goats and pigs roaming the hills. bayleys.co.nz/1203522

Helensville 419 and 429 Kiwitahi Road

Deceased estate

249ha

Tender (unless sold prior)

Closing 1pm, Fri 21 Jul 2023

41 Queen Street, Warkworth

View by appointment

John Barnett 021 790 393 john.barnett@bayleys.co.nz

MACKYS REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Step into a world of endless possibilities with this picturesque 90-hectare grazing farm. Positioned in a prime location and with resource consent already secured for two additional titles, this property offers an incredible opportunity for further development. Nestled amidst landscaped gardens, you'll find a charming three-bedroom family home that provides breathtaking vistas of the farm and the Kaipara Harbour beyond. It continues to deliver with two lounges, kitchen and dining areas that seamlessly merge with the outdoor entertaining area. The former dairy farms gentle contour is well subdivided and connected by a central race network system, with a farm water bore and spacious barn for storage or conversion into stables for horse enthusiasts. bayleys.co.nz/1203512

90.6566ha

Tender (unless sold prior)

Closing 12pm, Fri 21 Jul 2023

41 Queen Street, Warkworth

View by appointment

John Barnett 021 790 393 john.barnett@bayleys.co.nz

Jayne McCall 021 606 969 jayne.mccall@bayleys.co.nz

MACKYS REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LTD, KUMEU, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008 bayleys.co.nz