![]() It's something to be really proud of that I'm here, and I probably don't give myself enough credit for that.Simply enter the code TAKE5 in the Promo Code field on the shopping cart page and click Apply to receive your discount. “It's made me learn that what I'm part of is a really big deal, and it should be really cherished. His first time competing, he says he is not going in with huge expectations and just wants to give it a good crack and enjoy it. ![]() “I'm really looking forward to the quiz because that's where the contest all started in 1969, and I think that's really special to be part of,” he said. The legacy and recognition of contest also haven’t been lost on him. “I'm reasonably competitive too – that helps out sometimes, but it didn't help out in my first year of social twilight netball when I broke my elbow, I was probably being too competitive.” He thinks the practical day will be up his alley in the final and has been preparing hard for the technical side of it as well. “I wasn't entering to win it this year, I was just going to go and give it my best crack because that's all I could do, and it turns out that was enough so that was pretty cool.” Getting through to grand final in his first regional final, held in Fairlie in February, was surprising. ![]() “The contest is a huge celebration of young farmers' skill set and knowledge which I think is pretty bloody awesome.” His parents are also responsible for introducing him to the contest – they were involved in the contest for a long time, helping to convene regional finals and grand finals in their day. ![]() There is also a people’s choice award in the contest, and he encourages those from the Aorangi region to head to the organisation’s website and vote for him. With a short, vigorous growth season to then becoming quite dry, stock are always moving block to block, week to week.Īdkins said he has had a “great amount of support” from those around him. “It's really good practice to be really adaptable to change.” “It’s really nice to be able to enjoy that with my team of dogs and the livestock are in their happy place, I’m in my happy place.”Īt Caberfeidh, Adkins is in charge of stocking, mobbing up, feed budgets and stock rotations for the breeding and trade stock.Ĭaberfeidh carries a wide range of stock classes including maternal and terminal mated ewe flocks, a DNA recorded breeding cow herd, a Lumina lamb fattening programme, Firstlight Wagyu finishing cattle, as well as bull beef and trade/finishing steers and heifers. “I really love the environment that I’m living and working in. Tom Adkins, Aorangi Young Farmer of the Year representative. “It’s the biggest competition in agriculture, probably in the world, that really portrays and shows off skill and knowledge of young farmers.Īdkins has been involved in farming his whole life, growing up on his parents’ 400 hectare sheep and beef farm in Whanganui.Īfter gaining a Diploma in Farm Management and working on Manawaimai Station north of Whanganui and Te Mania Angus Stud near Kaikōura, Adkins started managing the 1600ha block at Caberfeidh Station, which he describes as an “absolutely beautiful spot”. The 23-year-old will face off against the other seven finalists in a series of challenges, including a three-hour test, a four-minute community footprint video, a day of practical challenges and a market innovation report, detailing how he’d use 120 hectares of land to create a new product that was profitable within five years. The final is in Whangārei on July 7-9, with Adkins expecting intense competition. “It’s a huge part of New Zealand agriculture.” * South Canterbury TeenAg members attend leadership course * Field crowned Otago Southland regional winner * Hakataramea Valley farmer wins regional farmer of the year award
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |