Takapau farmer a public hit at Young Farmer of the Year Competition

Takapaus's Patrick Crawshaw at this year's FMG Young Farmer of the Year. Photo / Supplied

Takapau farmer Patrick Crawshaw admits he was pushed to the "absolute limit" at this year's FMG Young Farmer of the Year grand final but says he "loved every minute of it".

Speaking to Hawke's Bay Today after taking on six other finalists over three days of gruelling competition in Invercargill, Crawshaw said he was feeling "tired but not too bad".

"I learnt a lot through the process, it was a very cool project to go through but certainly one that challenges the body and mind more than anything. I've never pushed it that far before in my life.

"It's built to put us through our paces that's for sure and push the body to the limit."

The men tackled fast-paced practical modules, technical challenges and concluded on Saturday with the agri-knowledge quiz.

South Otago sheep farmer Logan Wallace was namedthe overall 50th FMG Young Farmer of the Year.

Although it was Crawshaw's first hit-out in a grand final but he still managed to take out both the AGMARDT Agri-business challenge section and the FMG people's Choice Award.

"In the People's Choice award we were set up with a social media platform and a Facebook page, and it was a people's choice drive ultimately. We had to try and rally and get as many people to support us as we could. That just meant posting on Facebook about our pathway to the grand final and trying to create a bit of interest in what we are up to."

The 24-year-old sheep and beef farmer said the practical day test was the hardest challenge.

"There was so much going on, we were given plans and timelines and then all of a sudden we were given more stuff getting thrown at us to keep us on our toes."

It also involved testing skills in human resources, finances, business analysis.

There was also plenty of real-world benefits to taking part, which would benefit his work at Foley Farming.

"I certainly loved every minute of the competition, although it pushes you to the absolute limit. There's a huge amount of leanings to come out of it and it is all definitely applicable to life. You can apply it all at some stage of your life."