Tuesday, 25 February 2014 11:57

Back to back grand finals

Written by Pamela Tipa

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DEAN RABBIDGE is the second Grand Finalist to be named in the 2014 ANZ Young Farmer Contest. Rabbidge joins Tasman's Reuben Carter, with five spots still up for grabs.

The 28-year-old, sheep, beef and dairy farmer from the Wyndham Club took first place at the Otago Southland Regional Final, in Alexandra, at Pioneer Park on Saturday, February 22. Mr Rabbidge also won the Agmardt Agri Business component of the contest.

Rabbidge summarised his event "the day didn't go as well as I had hoped for, with a very broad range of challenges it is hard to tailor your preparation. I am stoked with my performance in the evening show, my preparation and hard work on this section of the contest paid off".

It was a strong group of competitors with plenty of knowledge and talent on display. The eight contestants were put through their paces in a variety of challenging modules touching on all aspects of farming from practical hands on tasks to theory and business components.

Second place went to Logan Wallace, 24, of the Clinton/South Otago Club. He took home $2900 worth of prizes. Wallace also took out the Lincoln University Agri Growth, Ravensdown Agri Skills and Silver Fern Farms Agri Sport in a very competitive first Regional Final performance.

Nightcaps Club was well represented with three contestants in the Regional Final. John White, 30, placed third, Simon Topham, 25, placed fourth and Hayden Gentle, 28, placed 7th.

Rabbidge went home with a prize pack worth over $10,000 including cash, scholarships and products and services from ANZ, Lincoln University, Ravensdown, AGMARDT, Silver Fern Farms, Honda, Husqvarna and Vodafone.

The next stage for Mr Rabbidge is to go to the Grand Final in Christchurch, 3-5 July where he will battle it out for the Champion's title and over $300,000 in prizes. He returns to the Grand Final for the second consecutive year.

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