FMG Celebrates A Decade In Partnership With Young Farmer Of The Year
FMG is proud to mark a significant milestone in its partnership with one of New Zealand's premier agricultural competitions — the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Contest.
'We're incredibly proud to have supported this competition for the past 10 years. For FMG, it's more than just a competition to showcase the talents, skills, and knowledge of young farmers from across the country — it's a celebration of the future of farming and an investment in the next generation of leaders. It is intrinsically linked to FMG's commitment to helping to build strong and prosperous rural communities,' says Adam Heath, Chief Executive Officer of FMG.
'The investment in 9 Grand Finals, 63 Regional Finals, and many more District Finals over the last decade has certainly been worth every cent. The FMG Young Farmer of the Year Contest has provided a platform for careers in agriculture, with many past winners and finalists going on to make significant contributions to the sector.'
But Adam says, 'It is not just about the winners, it's about all the contestants and the dedication from the New Zealand Young Farmers, the volunteers and the whole community for making it all happen – from regional contests to the national grand final.'
The 26-year-old Waikato Bay of Plenty Young Farmer, Hugh Jackson, won this year's prestigious Grand Final event held in Invercargill over the weekend. This was his second crack at the title.
Hugh says that winning the FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition 'means everything' to him.
'I've been putting in the hard work for this competition for the last 3 or 4 years since the last time that I competed, so I'm hugely relieved. Obviously, going in framed as a favourite definitely puts a bit more pressure on. I'm really stoked to win and I'm looking forward to the future ahead,' says Hugh.
'Congratulations to Hugh and all of this year's finalists. With such passionate and talented young farmers leading the way, the future of the rural sector is bright!' says Adam.
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NZ Herald
4 days ago
- NZ Herald
Meet Hugh Jackson, FMG Young Farmer of the Year 2025
He's the fourth generation of his family to farm in the area, when his great-grandparents, John (Hool) and Margaret Jackson started farming after World War II. Initially interested in a rural professional role in banking, Jackson attended Massey University and studied for a Bachelor of AgCommerce majoring in Farm Management. Unable to get his foot in the door of a banking graduate programme, he applied for the DairyNZ graduate programme. 'In 2020, I was a trainee consulting officer with DairyNZ in Invercargill, followed by an extension partner role on a dairy farm in mid-Canterbury in 2021, then back to a Southland dairy farm in 2022 as a herd manager,' Jackson said. Returning to his roots Baling hay was challenging for Hugh Jackson, who hadn't done it before. Photo / NZ Young Farmers On June 1, 2023, Jackson moved back to the family farm where his dad, John Jackson, was keen for a hand running the 1800-hectare family farm and 150-hectare lease property. 'We winter around 2000 Friesian/beef-cross bulls for finishing and 2500 odd ewes,' Hugh said. 'I always planned to come back to the farm one day, and the time was right. 'I've become an equity partner in the family business, and I'll be here for the rest of my life.' Jackson wants to look after the land for future generations and loves the fact that he helps feed the world and generates income for the country. He is outspoken in his views about carbon credits and feels the industry is shooting itself in the foot by turning prime agricultural land into pine forests. 'Monoculture and blanket-planting good farmland into trees that we will never get back is not the way forward.' Like most of his generation, Jackson enjoys the use of science and technology in farming. While he loves dog work with the stock, he reckons by the time he reaches his dad's age, everyone will probably be bringing their stock in using a mobile phone. He expects to be doing everything differently and moving with the technology. Young Farmers Hugh Jackson enjoys the camaraderie and connections the NZ Young Farmers clubs offer. Photo / NZ Young Farmers 'I first became a Young Farmers member in 2017 with Massey Young Farmers,' Jackson said. 'I've been a member ever since, competing consistently over eight years.' While working in Southland, Jackson won the Otago Southland FMG Young Farmer of the Year title, earning him a place in the 2023 grand final. When he came back to the Waikato, Jackson joined the Hamilton City Young Farmers Club and has since become chairman. 'I've suffered from depression and I know how important it is to get off-farm and socialise,' he said. 'I like getting out for recreational activities when I can, like fishing and freediving and am fortunate to be based near the coast. 'NZ Young Farmers is a great organisation where you can catch up with mates and keep making connections.' After coming so close to winning the 2023 FMG Young Farmer of the Year, Jackson was keen to give it another shot. Just like the actual job of farming, the challenges and modules cover both mental and physical aspects, and the requirement for resilience and adaptability. None of the grand finalists know what they will face, and this year they were confronted with modules that included baling hay, fish filleting, heavy machinery, bridge building, sheep shearing and many more. 'It's tricky to prepare for, as you have no idea what is going to be there until the day,' Jackson said. Listen to Jamie Mackay interview Hugh Jackson and 2024 winner George Dodson on The Country below: 'The baling was challenging for me as I've never done that before. 'Shearing is always good fun, and the bridge building was a very cool challenge.' Jackson is starting to think about how he can use his role to advantage others in the industry and showcase farming in a good light. NZ Young Farmers chief executive Cheyne Gillooly said Jackson impressed everyone with his innovative thinking and shining talent across the agricultural sector. 'It's inspiring to see the recognition go to someone who will not only be a strong ambassador for the next generation of young farmers, but across the agricultural industry. 'The future is bright and forward-thinking for New Zealand's food and fibre sector.'
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