The Road To Winning The National Bank Young Farmer Contest
Now in its 36th year and celebrating 25 years of televised shows, The National Bank Young Farmer Contest is one of the most prestigious contests in New Zealand. But what makes this contest so special? And how much work does it take to first win the right to compete at a Grand Final and then to be placed in the top four? We follow Waikato/Bay of Plenty finalist Euan Reeve and partner Claire Fisher in their first grand final as they attempt to overcome the pressure of three days of fierce competition to win New Zealands ultimate rural challenge.
When Gary Frazer won the first Young Farmer Contest in 1969 contestants were required to answer a series of questions. Tough as the questions were, it was not long before a practical and technical agricultural component gave contestants the chance to show their on farm skills.
Since those early days the Young Farmer Contest has grown into a professional event attracting approximately 400 keen agriculturalists each year. Not only does it have a significant prize pool for winners, first place $118 985 of prizes, but it has helped to foster a culture of excellence among young people in the industry with many former competitors moving on to strong leadership positions.
However, the road to a Grand Final is long and requires much commitment. Contestants must first battle district finals. There are over twenty district finals each year through-out New Zealand. Generally the top two to three places will go on to the regional final in their area where they will compete alongside seven other contestants. There are seven regions: Northern, Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Taranaki/Manawatu, Wairarapa, Tasman, Aorangi and Otago/Southland.
Over the course of a day regional finalists complete a technical paper, various practical challenges, Agrisport and the evening show testing general knowledge in front of a public audience. Many compete in regional finals for several years before winning a place in the Grand Final. Contestants can only enter a Grand Final twice thus ensuring they undertake vast study preparation prior to arriving.
For many the media focus on the contest is the first hurdle they must overcome. Because short features on individual competitors are required for the television show, all are introduced to cameras months before the event.
It is often the first time contestants have been in newspapers or on television and that in itself can place extra pressure on those with high expectations.
The Grand Final has been loosely described as a pressure cooker three days - three days in which mental focus under extreme stress is as important as physical prowess. Ultimately those that can hold themselves together when things go wrong will do well.
The ultimate rural challenge begins for contestants on Wednesday. There is little time to study as a constant flurry of events sees them attend a press conference, compete in a fun street event, get suits fitted and participate in a formal photography session. Finally, after 7pm the contestants can call the night their own. Many will race to finish or brush up on study before the morning but certainly a restless sleep follows before a 6am breakfast and the commencement of the technical challenges at Tutukaka.
The Technical day is designed to test competitors on mental tasks such as setting up a business plan for a new business. Contestants are also required to give an oral presentation on market innovation and be interviewed by a panel of three judges. After a quick shower and very little rest the seven must then get ready to present pre-chosen speech topics to a formal dinner in front of New Zealands agricultural leaders.
At the end of Thursdays mental gymnastics contestants are relieved to be starting the practical challenges after another early start on Friday.
Practical challenges include any on farm task encountered across all agricultural and horticultural industries. Many contestants train for months if not years by visiting a wide range of farmers and learning about new technology.
If a morning of demanding tasks is not enough, contestants must get ready to throw their bodies on the line for what is described as the agricultural olympics when they line up side by side to compete in Agrisports. In just 40 minutes they will race to complete a series of tasks and be the first over the line. However, quality is equally important. Sometimes when points are revealed those that cross the line first do not always win the event.
By days end contestants are shattered. Its time to go back to the hotel, scrub up for another formal dinner before getting some sleep at around 11pm. Saturday morning is a psychological challenge as contestants first have to find the strength to kick their mind into gear for the afternoon/evening show and then face a rehearsal of the nights televised show.
Television rehearsals include reading through previous years buzzer round questions. For some listening to others answering buzzer rounds ahead of them can be a nerve wracking and demoralising experience. Retaining the focus that has got them through the last two days will be critical to how they perform that night.
The evening show is a huge mind battle; contestants cant afford to be shy on the buzzer nor too aggressive as point penalties can mount if questions are answered incorrectly. They must forget about the 750 strong crowd watching them and the television cameras sending their faces out to New Zealand.
This then, is the beauty of the contest. Over three days the contestants have had stress levels raised until almost all is relying on the evening show.
Marks are not revealed for the technical and practical days until that evening when they are shown sporadically through-out the show - adding further tension.
Every contestant in a Grand Final wants to win. For most this has been their entire focus for months, for some a childhood dream. To walk away in the Cloak of Knowledge is the ultimate reward. However, the Contest offers many other opportunities too. Not least of those are camaraderie and the development of lifelong friendships and contacts within the industry.
By the time the winner is announced, and the television cameramen have scuttled off to edit the show in time for the national screening at 9.35pm, the seven contestants will have been exposed to invaluable discipline, leadership and communication lessons. Because of that exposure it is not only the winner who takes home the prizes, but the entire agricultural industry as well.
Euan Reeve is competing in his first Grand Final at Whangarei. He has competed in five regional finals, winning this years final by just one point.
A Massey University bachelor of applied science graduate, Euan is an experienced lower order sharemilker, managing a developing 320 pedigree Jersey dairy farm and runoff. He is involved in all aspects of farm management, staff recruitment, buying/selling stock, animal husbandry, farm maintenance and strategic planning.
The 26 year old has also managed a 300 cow split calving operation in Ireland and has had some experience in the sheep, beef and deer having worked as a shepard in the Mackenzie High Country.
Euan says he enjoys the challenge of solving problems and reaching targets using skills from previous and current employers, especially those incorporating practical opportunities.
Euan and partner Claire Fishers catch phrase is profit, production, pleasure.
When Gary Frazer won the first Young Farmer Contest in 1969 contestants were required to answer a series of questions. Tough as the questions were, it was not long before a practical and technical agricultural component gave contestants the chance to show their on farm skills.
Since those early days the Young Farmer Contest has grown into a professional event attracting approximately 400 keen agriculturalists each year. Not only does it have a significant prize pool for winners, first place $118 985 of prizes, but it has helped to foster a culture of excellence among young people in the industry with many former competitors moving on to strong leadership positions.
However, the road to a Grand Final is long and requires much commitment. Contestants must first battle district finals. There are over twenty district finals each year through-out New Zealand. Generally the top two to three places will go on to the regional final in their area where they will compete alongside seven other contestants. There are seven regions: Northern, Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Taranaki/Manawatu, Wairarapa, Tasman, Aorangi and Otago/Southland.
Over the course of a day regional finalists complete a technical paper, various practical challenges, Agrisport and the evening show testing general knowledge in front of a public audience. Many compete in regional finals for several years before winning a place in the Grand Final. Contestants can only enter a Grand Final twice thus ensuring they undertake vast study preparation prior to arriving.
For many the media focus on the contest is the first hurdle they must overcome. Because short features on individual competitors are required for the television show, all are introduced to cameras months before the event.
It is often the first time contestants have been in newspapers or on television and that in itself can place extra pressure on those with high expectations.
The Grand Final has been loosely described as a pressure cooker three days - three days in which mental focus under extreme stress is as important as physical prowess. Ultimately those that can hold themselves together when things go wrong will do well.
The ultimate rural challenge begins for contestants on Wednesday. There is little time to study as a constant flurry of events sees them attend a press conference, compete in a fun street event, get suits fitted and participate in a formal photography session. Finally, after 7pm the contestants can call the night their own. Many will race to finish or brush up on study before the morning but certainly a restless sleep follows before a 6am breakfast and the commencement of the technical challenges at Tutukaka.
The Technical day is designed to test competitors on mental tasks such as setting up a business plan for a new business. Contestants are also required to give an oral presentation on market innovation and be interviewed by a panel of three judges. After a quick shower and very little rest the seven must then get ready to present pre-chosen speech topics to a formal dinner in front of New Zealands agricultural leaders.
At the end of Thursdays mental gymnastics contestants are relieved to be starting the practical challenges after another early start on Friday.
Practical challenges include any on farm task encountered across all agricultural and horticultural industries. Many contestants train for months if not years by visiting a wide range of farmers and learning about new technology.
If a morning of demanding tasks is not enough, contestants must get ready to throw their bodies on the line for what is described as the agricultural olympics when they line up side by side to compete in Agrisports. In just 40 minutes they will race to complete a series of tasks and be the first over the line. However, quality is equally important. Sometimes when points are revealed those that cross the line first do not always win the event.
By days end contestants are shattered. Its time to go back to the hotel, scrub up for another formal dinner before getting some sleep at around 11pm. Saturday morning is a psychological challenge as contestants first have to find the strength to kick their mind into gear for the afternoon/evening show and then face a rehearsal of the nights televised show.
Television rehearsals include reading through previous years buzzer round questions. For some listening to others answering buzzer rounds ahead of them can be a nerve wracking and demoralising experience. Retaining the focus that has got them through the last two days will be critical to how they perform that night.
The evening show is a huge mind battle; contestants cant afford to be shy on the buzzer nor too aggressive as point penalties can mount if questions are answered incorrectly. They must forget about the 750 strong crowd watching them and the television cameras sending their faces out to New Zealand.
This then, is the beauty of the contest. Over three days the contestants have had stress levels raised until almost all is relying on the evening show.
Marks are not revealed for the technical and practical days until that evening when they are shown sporadically through-out the show - adding further tension.
Every contestant in a Grand Final wants to win. For most this has been their entire focus for months, for some a childhood dream. To walk away in the Cloak of Knowledge is the ultimate reward. However, the Contest offers many other opportunities too. Not least of those are camaraderie and the development of lifelong friendships and contacts within the industry.
By the time the winner is announced, and the television cameramen have scuttled off to edit the show in time for the national screening at 9.35pm, the seven contestants will have been exposed to invaluable discipline, leadership and communication lessons. Because of that exposure it is not only the winner who takes home the prizes, but the entire agricultural industry as well.
Euan Reeve is competing in his first Grand Final at Whangarei. He has competed in five regional finals, winning this years final by just one point.
A Massey University bachelor of applied science graduate, Euan is an experienced lower order sharemilker, managing a developing 320 pedigree Jersey dairy farm and runoff. He is involved in all aspects of farm management, staff recruitment, buying/selling stock, animal husbandry, farm maintenance and strategic planning.
The 26 year old has also managed a 300 cow split calving operation in Ireland and has had some experience in the sheep, beef and deer having worked as a shepard in the Mackenzie High Country.
Euan says he enjoys the challenge of solving problems and reaching targets using skills from previous and current employers, especially those incorporating practical opportunities.
Euan and partner Claire Fishers catch phrase is profit, production, pleasure.