Young farmers in class at Wairakei Estate

YOUNG BLOOD:Morgan Lissington (left), Nicole McIntyre, Nick Bailey, Stefan Robinson and Adam Scott found their visit to the Wairakei Estate near Taupo a great experience. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Young farmers stepped out of Wairarapa for an interesting farming experience at the Wairakei Estate near Taupo last Friday.

On their journey north to support regional finalist Sully Alsop at the Young Farmers contest, the group toured the Wairakei Estate and were treated to a barbecue, beer, and a question-and-answer session with staff working on the estate.

Even though the group's main priority on the trip was watching Mr Alsop compete in the contest, Carterton farmer and South Wairarapa Young Farmers chairman Morgan Lissington says they all enjoyed the learning experience at the Wairakei Estate as well.

"Some of us want to enter the Young Farmers contest next year," he said.

"So it was interesting to see the level of competition there, as compared to regionals.

"But going to the estate was great, we got to see the scale of farming operations there.

"It was interesting to see how they were setting up a farm to deal with extreme weather, at 600 metres elevation and with pumice soils.

"And it is large scale, aiming to graze 8000 heifers."

Nicky Barton, who went with the group, said they had an enjoyable weekend and learning experience.

"It was a fantastic professional development session for the group and a sign that the Young Farmers organisation has shifted from being a Friday night drink at the local," she said.