Build up to grand final

Tomorrow plays host to the Grand Final Televised Evening Show and Ball at Dunedin's Edgar Centre. Here the contestants will have a final chance to score points before the 2012 Contest Champion is announced.

But meanwhile the grand finalists had a tough first day of challenges yesterday in the gruelling three-day agricultural competition.

The Technical Day wrapped up with the Speeches Dinner at Dunedin's Edgar Centre where contestants were required to present a speech to a 300 strong audience. The seven grand finalists had several challenges to complete earlier in the day at Invermay Research station which included the AGMARDT Agri-business Challenges.

The Lincoln University Agri-growth Challenges required the contestants to think on their feet.

Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei, Dean of Commerce at Lincoln University Dr Patrick Aldwell and Ravensdown director Patrick Willock made up a panel that quizzed the contestants on anything from their career goals to topical issues. In the human resources challenge, contestants were faced with simulated scenarios.

The seven grand finalists are Northern's Katherine Tucker, Waikato/Bay of Plenty's Sam Williams, Taranaki/Manawatu's Brad Lewis, East Coast's Tony Dowman, Tasman's Michael Lilley, Aorangi's Andrew Scott and Otago/Southland's Pete Gardyne.

A physical day awaits these contestants tomorrow (May 26) at the Forsyth Barr Stadium where the Practical Day will take place. The day is open to the public and spectators are encouraged to come along and support their favourite Grand Finalist. The Grand Final of the AgriKidsNZ and TeenAg Competitions will also be held.

Contestants are competing for a combined prize pool valued at over $140,000 – the winner alone will walk away with over $70,000 worth of prizes thanks to The National Bank, Lincoln University, Ravensdown, AGMARDT, Silver Fern Farms, Honda, Swanndri and Echo.

Tickets to the Show and Ball are available at www.youngfarmercontest.co.nz.