Future up in the air in Kaikoura
The roads to the south have mostly reopened but the uncertainty remains for the dairy farmers of Kaikoura following the November 14 earthquake.
Andrew Scott took out the win at the Oamaru Opera House on Saturday night (25th February) after a physical day at the North Otago A&P Show.
With the South Island Regional Finals all finished, Andrew is the third returning Grand Finalist; he joins Otago/Southland's Pete Gardyne and Tasman's Michael Lilley.
The 30 year old Sheep and Beef Farmer last competed at Grand Final in 2010 against Pete in Gore and is looking forward to squaring up against his friend in Dunedin from May 23rd to 26th.
"We get on pretty well. It's going to be good; Pete and Michael are both pretty strong competitors. It would be great to see a South Island top three – that's up to us now."
Andrew was runner up to the eventual Contest Champion Will Grayling at the Aorangi Regional Final last year. Will is going to be just one person that Andrew will be looking to for support and advice. He also plans to call on another past Grand Final winner and Aorangi representative; 2009's Tim O'Sullivan.
Andrew says he's also keen to be able to pass on knowledge to other Contestants that are starting to come through especially those that competed in the weekend.
"There are a few really on to it guys coming through – I hope they carry on competing."
"It's a good strong area – it's difficult even to get to Regionals – you really have to be prepared to have a couple of goes. You do pick up a lot doing that though."
"I ended up second to Will last year. It was disappointing but you've just got to do it [try again]. Regionals are the biggest hurdle – you're up against so many other people to get through. It's all about preparation."
Further from his involvement with the Contest, Andrew believes it's important to be involved in local events and activities; he is an active member of New Zealand Young Farmers and is chair of the Mackenzie Club and is in the Hunter Hills Rural Fire Service. He is also doing his bit for Industry and is on a Beef + Lamb New Zealand Monitor Farm Steering Committee – a win-win situation for Andrew.
"The people that are involved are very good – it's given me some great connections to use."
It will be a busy year for Andrew with Grand Final to study for and a wedding on the way too. He's marrying fiancée Helen Kerr in November which, he says, gives him time to prepare for both.
