Te Awamutu College’s Morgan Shannon and Kendra Grayling
Waipā featured prominently at the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Waikato Bay of Plenty regional final at Te Teko Racecourse.
Stephen Brunskill (right) with third placed placegetter Edward Roskam and, centre, regional young farmer of the year winner Cam Clayton.
Te Awamutu College students featured on the junior podium, while Whitehall farmer Stephen Brunskill placed second in Young Farmer of the Year.
After placing second, Year 13 students Kendra Grayling and Morgan Shannon (Te Awamutu College) will head to the national grand final in New Plymouth in July.
The top two junior qualifiers go through to nationals. The team of Cody Muller (Te Awamutu College) and Toby Whytock (St Paul’s) placed third.
AgriKids winners were from King Country’s Ōtewā School – the Ōtewā Gumboot gang of Jack Woodward, Isaac Wilson and Laura Connoly. They will also travel to Taranaki.
Hamilton Young Farmers member Stephen Brunskill turns 31 this month and this was his final competition.
“It’s bittersweet. It’s a cool thing to be involved with but it’s good to see the next cohort coming through. I’ve had my crack at it,” Brunskill said.
“I might get involved with the organising if there’s an opportunity to help.
“After competing for a few years, you get to know what might go well. It’s about the crowd watching – there’s got to be a mix of practical and theory.”
Te Aroha farmer Cam Clayton
Te Aroha self-employed sheep and beef farmer Cam Clayton took top honours and will go to the national final.
“This was my fourth young farmer’s competition. It was cool to be on the podium. Cam did well to win it,” Brunskill said.
“It was pretty close on points which I’m happy and gutted about at the same time.”
“Hugh Jackson and Emma Poole from the Waikato have both won the NZ Young Farmer of the Year, so Waikato has put up some pretty good competition and Cam will continue that.”
Te Awamutu’s Cody Muller Toby Whytock (St Paul’s Collegiate) and (Te Awamutu College) were third in the juniors. Photo: Brittany Fowler Photography
Brunskill is the fifth generation on the 460-acre Brunskill Rd farm. Dry stock – running sheep, beef – and dairy graziers.
“I’ve always been out here. I can’t imagine really being anywhere else,” Brunskill said.
“Farming is what I always wanted to do. I remember being 5 years old and not wanting to go to school. I wanted to be at home with Dad on the farm.
“My wife Hayley and I have been given a cool opportunity to continue the family farm.”
AgriKids winners were the Ōtewā Gumboot gang Isaac Wilson, Jack Woodward and Laura Connoly. Photo: Brittany Fowler Photography
Brunskill joined young farmers while at the University of Waikato. The competitions have helped him on farm, while the events have been great for socialising and networking.
“When you’re on the farm you think, how would I do this in the competition? What’s the most efficient way?,” Brunskill said.
“After university, I was working for BNZ for seven years. Hayley and I were running the home block as well. That was a good mix of office and country life.
“I resigned from BNZ in May last year and I’ve been on the farm fulltime since then, because we got the opportunity to lease the block next door.”
He encourages others to follow the young farmers path, no matter their involvement in rural New Zealand.
“We’ve been on lots of farm tours through berry and mushroom farms. It’s just a good opportunity to get out, learn something new, meet people outside of your usual circle. Who knows, you might find your new passion,” Brunskill said.
“We’ve got guys and girls that are rural professionals or reps; You don’t have to be farming specifically. Just getting involved and having that extra social network is valuable and awesome to have.
“I’ve met a lot of my friend group from that club and looking at all the professionals we have in rural New Zealand today, most of them have a connection to young farmers.
“You never know when you’ll come across people again.”
Te Awamutu College’s Morgan Shannon and Kendra Grayling placed second in the juniors. Photo: Brittany Fowler Photography
