The region's top young farmer this year could be a Hunterville beauty therapist or a Taranaki man competing for the last time - or one of five others.
There will be seven competing in the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Taranaki Manawatu Regional Final in Whanganui on April 6. Their practical skills will be tested from 8am to 2pm in a free event at Cooks Gardens, with primary and secondary-aged agri competitions running at the same time.
Then, during an evening function in the Whanganui War Memorial Centre, Young Farmer contestants will be subjected to rapid-fire quiz questions. Te Radar will be the master of ceremonies, and Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDouall will help with the judging.
The show starts at 6.30pm and tickets cost $70. Attendees get a full meal and dessert, and there will be a bar and music from Taranaki covers band The Bush Buds.
The Manawatū Taranaki Young Farmer region stretches from Wellington up the west coast of the lower North Island to Urenui and Ruapehu. Whanganui Young Farmers' Club chairwoman Samantha Bills said its motto is "Best in the West".