Young Farmer title to North Island man

Press, 24 July 1986, Page 19

Young Farmer title to North Island man

PA Dunedin A share farmer from Mamakau, near Rotorua, Russell Whyte, aged 28, won the Skellerup Young Farmer of the Year title when the national final was held in Dunedin on Tuesday. Mr Whyte won the title by one point from Graeme Giles, a market gardner, of Blenheim.

A tight battle emerged between the two competitors during the grand final and at one stage Mr Giles led the competition. It not until the “beat the buzzer” round that Mr Whyte’s reflexes and knowledge combined to give him first place. “I didn’t expect to win and at the end my calucation of points went astray,” Mr Whyte said. The final announcement came as a total surprise to him. Mr Whyte said his general farming knowledge was not as good as some of the other contestants, and attributed his win to quick reflexes, speaking techniques, and reaction under pressure. His prize, valued at more than $55,000, includes a $27,000 International tractor, an overseas trip, fertiliser, a Honda three-wheeled motor-cycle, travel

cheques and holiday in England. The second placegetter won an International tractor valued at $18,050, and third received a Honda three-wheeled motorcycle valued at $5700. Other prizes included fertiliser, chainsaws and Skellerup products. The third place-get-terwas an Oamaru farmer, Howard Hill, aged 29, and fourth place went to Peter McNab, aged 29, of Owaka.

Questions in the final ranged in topics through various sections of agriculture to general knowledge, visual questions, impromptu speaking and comments on farming.

Points from these, were combined with the practical section which was held at the Invermay Agricultural Research station near Dunedin on Monday.