KEY POINTS:
After three "gruelling" days of competition, Manawatu's David Skiffington has been named Young Farmer of the Year.
It was his third tilt at the contest, which is open to farmers aged 30 and under.
Last year, he missed out on the title on a countback of points.
The 29-year-old father of two, who started farming full-time only last October, has spent the past few months preparing for the contest, while running his leasehold farm at Feilding.
He and his wife Megan, a molecular biologist, have two daughters, Anna, three, and Heather, two. Eventually they hope to have their own farm.
The competition, held over three days in Ashburton, tested contestants' agricultural knowledge and practical farming skills, and ended with a quiz on Saturday night.
Mr Skiffington took home more than $80,000 worth of prizes, including a Ford ute, a Honda ATV, tools, fertiliser and clothing, plus $5000 cash.
- NZPA
