Young farmers big test

THE runoffs for the Woolworths Tasmanian Young Farmer of the Year were held at Quercus Park, Carrick last week with 16 young farmers vying to make the top 10 and secure a position in the finals to be held on August 24. 

Run by Rural Youth Tasmania, the long-standing competition is open to any Tasmanian aged between 15 and 30, not just Rural Youth members, and the organising committee was pleased to see a few new faces. 

The prize pool is worth more than $40,000 with a new Polaris Ranger, valued at $17,000, the big drawcard. 

During the run-offs, competitors compete in a range of activities, many based around tasks or jobs regularly completed on a farm.

Tasks included irrigation, wool classing, meat identification, first aid and weed identification. From the run-offs, the top 10 will contest the state final, working through 10 modules throughout the day, with the top four competitors invited to participate in the final two modules, Quiz and Public Speaking, at the Tasmanian Young Farmer dinner held in the evening, where the big announcement is made. 

Cleveland farmer Zach Leonard was back for another go, having made the top 10 last year where he won the entertaining Farmer Challenge module. 

He has made it through the finals once again, along with Annalise Rayner, Ashtyn Willey, Charlton Skirving, Chelsea Rayner, Chloe Temple, Dylan Bellchambers, Jake Williams, Jordan Burr and Matthew Wadley. 

Rural Youth Tasmania member services manager Luci Venn said while numbers were slightly down on last year, they were all excellent candidates for the major prize. 

“They are the type of people who are willing to put a lot into their careers and for whoever wins it will be well deserved,” she said.