ACC backs young farmers with FMG Young Farmer of the Year partnership
The Government has announced that ACC will be a sponsor of this year's FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition.
South Otago sheep farmer Logan Wallace is the 50th FMG Young Farmer of the Year.
The 28-year-old who farms in Waipahi took out the coveted title before 1,000 people in Invercargill on Saturday night.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic. Being named the FMG Young Farmer of the Year has always been a dream of mine,” he says.
It’s Wallace’s second attempt at the title and means the sought-after winner’s trophy will be staying in Otago/Southland region.
The event saw the men tackle fast-paced practical modules, technical challenges and an agri-knowledge quiz.
“We are immensely proud of Logan. He’s put his all into the contest,” said Logan’s father Ross Wallace.
“It’s something he’s wanted to do since he was a boy.”
Wallace runs 2,300 ewes on a 290-hectare farm, which he leases from his parents.
The intensive sheep breeding and finishing property also carries 700 hoggets and 400 trading sheep.
The Clinton Young Farmers member, who has mild dyslexia, is heavily involved in his local community. He leads a youth group and is a Land Search and Rescue member.
“I used some of those search and rescue planning skills this week to ensure I didn’t waste any time,” he said.
The winner’s prize package includes a New Holland tractor, a Honda quad bike, cash, scholarships, equipment and clothing.
The overall grand final prize pool was valued at more than $155,000.
Second place went to Cameron Black, who’s a Christchurch-based rural consultant for New Zealand Agri Brokers.
Bay of Plenty contract milker Josh Cozens took out third place and the agri-knowledge challenge.
Fish & Game New Zealand has announced its election priorities in its Manifesto 2026.
With the forage maize harvest started in Northland and the Waikato, the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) is telling growers of later crops, or those further south, to start checking their maize crop maturity about three weeks prior to when they think they will start silage harvesting.
Irrigation NZ is warning that the government's Resource Management Act (RMA) reform risks falling short of its objectives unless water use for food production and water storage infrastructure are clearly recognised in the goals at the top of the new system.
More than five million trays, or 18,000 tonnes, of Zespri’s RubyRed Kiwifruit will soon be available for consumers across 16 markets this season.
The Government has announced its support for 18 community-based initiatives through its Rural Wellbeing Fund.
New data shows that pork remains one of the more affordable meat options for New Zealand households at a time when grocery costs continue to put pressure on budgets.

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