Hunterville farmer Pete Fitz-Herbert has missed out on the top prize at the FMG Young Farmer of the Year grand final.
The Taranaki/Manawatu regional winner finished sixth with Canterbury's Athol New crowned champion at an awards ceremony on Saturday night.
For 30-year-old Mr Fitz-Herbert it was his last shot at the competition which he becomes ineligible for next year.
It was his eighth year in the competition and second national grand final. He finished 5th in last year.
The sheep and beef farmer said things didn't fall his way at the grand final in Timaru over the weekend.