increase font size
FMG Young Farmer of the Year Hugh Jackson with his New Holland Boomer 25C tractor.
Waikato-Bay of Plenty farmer Hugh Jackson recently secured this year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year title in Invercargill.
The final marked the culmination of months of qualifying rounds and regional competitions, and a return to the national stage for Hugh after a previous grand final appearance.
Jackson, 27, is involved in running a 1800ha sheep and beef operation at Te Akau alongside his parents, John and Jenny, and their “awesome farm team”. As a fourth-generation farmer, Jackson is continuing the legacy of his great-grandfather, who first purchased 600 acres in 1947 after returning from WWII.
Jackson, involved with Young Farmers since 2017, is the chair of his local Hamilton City Young Farmers club this year.
After competing multiple times in the Young Farmer of the Year, finally taking out the title has been a long-held goal, that Jackson admitted it was still sinking in.
For the next 12 months as the title winner, he is eagerly awaiting all the opportunities that will come his way.
“I’m looking forward to rubbing shoulders with people I haven’t had the opportunity to meet and really see it as a learning and career-enhancing experience,” he said.
As part of his win, Jackson drove away with a New Holland Boomer 25C tractor, awarded by one of the competition’s major sponsors, New Holland.
Karl Harvey, CNH product specialist, tractors and grape harvesters, said New Holland was proud to continue its support of New Zealand young farmers, helping encourage the next generation to grow and evolve the industry.
“As the 57th winner of this title, Hugh embodies all the attributes that make this award so special. His knowledge, innovative thinking, passion and mental strength really shone through, and he’ll have so much to offer other young farmers, and the sector, as he fulfils all the opportunities open to him over the next 12 months,” Karl said.
Jackson said he was grateful for the ongoing support of sponsors like New Holland for the award.
“It’s great that the sponsors see and want to contribute to the value of this award, recognising their support helps secure the future of agriculture in New Zealand,” he said.
A group of eight Giltrap Agrizone customers travelled to Europe in July with managing director Andrew Giltrap, taking the opportunity to visit St Valentin, Austria, to see New Holland tractors being built.
Showcased with a T7.245 at the recent National Fieldays, New Holland has expanded its T7 tractor range offering in New Zealand with the launch of a new Tier 3 long-wheelbase configuration, aimed at users looking for a reliable, no-fuss workhorse.
It’s been a long time coming, but the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final is returning to the Naki for Season 58.
The arrival of new F8 and F9 designations for its 8000 and 9000 series forage harvesters, signals a swag of upgrades from John Deere, highlighted by topping the 1000hp mark for the first time.
Ashburton-based Carrfields has signed an agreement with Manitou to take over the distribution and retail rights for Manitou Agricultural Equipment covering the lower North Island and the South Island, effective August 1, 2025.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand has launched an AI-powered digital assistant to help farmers using the B+LNZ Knowledge Hub to create tailored answers and resources for their farming businesses.
A tiny organism from the arid mountains of mainland Greece is facilitating a new way of growing healthier animals on farms across New Zealand.
OPINION: For years, the ironically named Dr Mike Joy has used his position at Victoria University to wage an activist-style…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly has had an absolute gutsful of the activist group SAFE.
