Young Farmers Otago Southland Fencing and Stock Judging competition

The top three of the stock judging competition (from left) Brooke Flett (third), Alex Field (first) and Sara Elmes (second) celebrate after the event in Gore recently. Photo / Allesha Ballard.

Otago and Southland's top fencers and stock judges have secured their places to compete in the grand final in Feilding later this year.

Competitors from Young Farmers clubs from throughout Southland and Otago went head to head in the Otago Southland Fencing and Stock Judging competition which was held in Gore recently.

Otago Southland Young Farmers regional chairman James Heslip said six teams of two battled it out in the fencing competition, with Alan Harvey, of Alexandra, and Sam Hitchcock, of Invercargill, winning first place.

Alan Harvey works his way to winning the fencing competition in Gore. Photo / Allesha Ballard.

Ruud Overgaauw, of South Hillend, and Kate Crook, of Te Anau, were second.

Alex Field goes over his notes in the stock judging competition. Photo / Allesha Ballard.

In the stock judging competition, Alex Field, of Te Anau, secured the title and will head to Feilding in July to represent the Otago-Southland region.

Sara Elmes, of Mosgiel, was second and Brooke Flett, of Otautau, was third.

There were 12 entries from throughout the southern regions in the competition, Mr Heslip said.

''The Royal Agricultural Society and the (Gore) A&P society helped run the stock judging and Great Southern, Gallagher, Fencing Contractors Association New Zealand (FCANZ) and Fuller Fencing provided gear and helped run the Fencing.''

It was a well-run event overall, he said.

Southern Rural Life