The Irrigation Tasmania, Tasmanian Young Farmer of the Year Competition came to an astounding climax at the formal dinner last night at Quercus Rural Youth Park, Carrick.

 

The victor this year was Mr. Tim Dobson from Hagley who competed against fourteen other state finalists throughout the day and into the evening.

 

Mr. Dobson, 25, works in merchandise sales for Robert Ltd during the week and owns 50 acres of land at Staverton which he runs on weekends. Mr. Dobson has been a competitor in the Young Farmer competition for seven years and has been runner up three times before coming through to win this year.

 

Mr. Dobson says. “Winning is as much a relief as it is an honour because it has been a goal of mine since 2003.” “It is great to see Irrigation Tasmania on board this year as the naming rights sponsor because they are helping to promote and grow the next generation of producers in this state.”

 

Rural Youth President, Mr James McShane says: “The Young Farmer Competition this year was a fantastic success with some great performances from the finalists especially in the notorious public speaking module”. “Rural Youth is so proud to host the Tasmanian Young Farmer of the Year Award and with the help of our loyal sponsors we are able to present a prize pool of over $10,000 to the competitors.

 

The Young Farmer final takes the form of ten core modules which this year included irrigation, occupational health and safety, home management, whole farm planning, tractor operation, farm business management, environmental management, animal industries, cropping and agricultural policy. The top six from these modules then go on to compete in a general knowledge quiz and public speaking competition in front of over one hundred people at the formal dinner.

 

 

 

Other position holders are:

2^nd Place – Martin McConnon of Stonor

3^rd Place – Jason Sykes of Ringarooma

4^th Place – William McConnon of Stonor

5^th Place – Allan Perry of Sassafras

6^th Place – Tom Andrews of Howden

 

The Rural Youth Organisation of Tasmania was proud to have present at the formal dinner the President of the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association Mr. David Gatenby and The Rural Youth Patron, Mr. Cameron Wilson from the ABC in Sydney.

 

 

The Rural Youth Organisation of Tasmania would like to thank the following sponsors of the Tasmanian Young Farmer of the Year Competition:

 

Irrigation Tasmania

Motors Isuzu Trucks

Allgoods

Stihl Shop Devonport

Cradle Country Adventures

Tasweld

Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association

Roberts Ltd

Serve-Ag

Tasmania Farm Equipment

 

For More information please contact:

Rural Youth State President – James McShane on 0438 653052

Young Farmer of the Year Director – Sarah Gatenby on 0405 173705