Young farmers to battle it out

Challenges, excitement and hard graft are expected to be on display at today's ANZ Young Farmer Wairarapa District Final.

Wairarapa Young Farmers chairman Stefan Robinson expects the cream of Wairarapa future farming talent will be on display at Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre.

"Probably the best thing about the competition is that it's a great opportunity to network with other motivated young farming people who like being challenged," Mr Robinson said.

"The events could involve cows, sheep, machinery, bees or dairy," said, Mr Robinson who says the unexpected nature of the day brings extra challenges and excitement to the proceedings.

Participants will compete in 11 practical modules and complete some theory.

Many of the young farmers will have spent weeks, possibly months, preparing for the events.

"Some people who want to win will have done a lot of study and will have been practising a lot and working out how they are going to do at the various events," said Mr Robinson.

"I'm mainly concentrating on dairy farming, so I wouldn't have to do the same level of preparation that other competitors might face."

Earlier this year, Wairarapa's own Tony Dowman made it to the grand final and Mr Robinson said there were a number of talented young farmers in the Wairarapa Young Farmers organisation and the newly established South Wairarapa Young Farmers.

Mr Robinson acknowledged there may be some rivalry between the Wairarapa farming groups but he said he was looking forward to what is expected to be a high quality, sociable event.

"I suppose there will be some rivalry," Mr Robinson said. "We all know most of the people that will be there though, so I've no doubt we will be talking and networking throughout the day."

The competition is held near the second entrance of Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre from 9.30am.

The top two of the 10 contestants go on to compete at the East Coast Regional Finals at Woodville on February 23, with the winner competing in the ANZ Young Farmer Final in May.