Search for top young farmer

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32667, 24 July 1971, Page 21

Search for top young farmer

Four of New Zealand’s best young farmers will face a comprehensive search into their knowledge of farming and the economics of agriculture in Hamilton on August 20.

The four—two from the North Island and two from the South—have been selected as the national finalist? in this year’s Young Farmer of the Year competition. [They are:—

Mr P. J. Bell, aged 24, of IClevedon, Auckland, who farms a 152-acre property I with his father. The farm I carries a town milk dairy

herd of 100 cows, with heifers and calves, and a Romney stud flock of 200 ewes and 140 hoggets. It also has 25 acres of hay, producing about 2000 bales a year. Mr Bell has been a member of the Clevedon Young Farmers’ Club for 10 years, during which time he has held office as chairman, secretary, and treasurer. He has also been chairman of the Auckland centra! district committee, chairman of the district [council, and an executive [member of the New Zealand ’Federation of Y.F.C. Mr T. S. Peacock, of Waipukurau, Hawke’s Bay, who farms 1440 acres in partnership with lais father. Mr Peacock, aged 30, also had his own block of 870 acres. The two farms carry 7300 ewes, 1700 hoggets, and 560 beef cattle, with 190 acres in barley, chou, wheat, and peas.’ The farms are separate units, one being used only for fattening, the other breeding sheep replacements. Mr Peacock's farm is at present being developed, at an estimated Cost this year of $16,000. He has been a member of the Waipukurau W.F.C. for 13 years, and has served as a member of the district committee and a co-opted member of the East Coast Y.F.C. Council. Mr A. S. Macdonald, of Sheffield, who farms in partnership with his father on a 900 acre mixed farm of wheat, barley, peas, small seeds, and potatoes, with sheep and pigs. Aged 23, he has been a member of the Sheffield Y.F.C. for six years, holding office as secretary, club delegate to the North Canterbury district committee, and North Canterbury delegate to the Canterbury Y.F.C. council.

Mr L. M. Malcolm, aged 29, who farms 680 acres carrying 2000 ewes and 490 hoggets, with 80 acres of supplementary feeding crops. Mr Malcolm has been a member of the Enfield Y.F.C. for 12 years, and has held all offices. He was chairman of the North Otago district committee in 1966, and chairman of the Otago-Southland Council in 1968. He won the Otago-Southland section of the competition last year.

This year's winner will receive prizes worth more than $4OO0 —a John Deere 1120 tractor, $5OO in cash, an Air New Zealand trip to Australia, and five days for two at Travelodge, Sydney. For the first time, a second prize will be awarded, com-

[prising carpet worth $5OO ! i from U.E.B. industries, Ltd, ! and $lOO worth of Skelierup , carpet cushion. > The competition is being • organised jointly by Skelle- . rup Industries, Ltd, and the I New Zealand Federation of • Young Farmers’ Clubs.