Self-employed sheep and beef farmer Cam Clayton is the winner of the Waikato Bay of Plenty FMG Young Farmer of the Year.

Clayton, 30, from Te Aroha, emerged victorious on Saturday evening, after spending the day competing in a series of challenges at Te Teko Racecourse in Whakatāne.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” he said.

“The whole day was a real test, and my competition didn’t go down easy.

“But it feels great to be one step closer to making it back-to-back titles for Waikato.”

The FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest is a highlight in the rural calendar, showcasing the rising stars in New Zealand’s food and fibre sector.

Three age-based categories were featured in the competition.

Primary school pupils took part in AgriKids NZ, high school students competed for the FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year title, while eight finalists battled for the coveted Young Farmer of the Year crown.

Clayton clocked up the most points on the day with 309.45, defeating Te Miro farmer Stephen Brunskill, who finished up with a score of 306.45.

Edward Roskam made it to the final spot on the podium after a high-energy day of competing neck-and-neck.

The competition featured five challenges, including Agri-sports and an intense “buzzer-style” quiz that rewarded quick thinking.

Each task was crafted to expose how well contestants could apply their practical skills and technical knowledge while working against the clock.

“I had done a fair bit of study, so I felt confident going into the quiz,” Clayton said.

“But I knew that a broad range of skills would be required, so I just tried to lean on past experience and stay focused.”

New Zealand’s youngest farmers shared their new-generation know-how across a series of modules in the AgriKids NZ competition.

The Ōtewā Gumboot Gang (Ōtewā School, Jack Woodward, Isaac Wilson, Laura Connoly) took out the top spot, followed by two groups from Marotiri School: Marotiri Moo Crew (Annabel Shaw, Kate Brando, and Jacob Hargreaves) and Marotiri Merinos (Zara Waterworth, Gabe Hilhorst and Harry Groves), rounding out the top three.

Benjamin Barbour and Toby Christensen from Putāruru College and John Paul College won the title of Waikato Bay of Plenty FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year, ahead of Kendra Grayling and Morgan Shannon from Te Awamutu College.

Along with Clayton, the top AgriKids NZ and junior teams will now compete in July’s grand final in New Plymouth.

New Zealand Young Farmers chief executive Cheyne Gillooly said it was great to see friends, family, and Young Farmers club members supporting their fellow contestants.

“FMG Young Farmer of the Year is a true celebration of agriculture and the people who drive it,” she said.

“From the youngest contestant just beginning, to the oldest who is giving it their last shot, the strength in which people show up for their community makes me so proud of what Young Farmers represents.”

- Supplied by NZ Young Farmers