An Edgecumbe dairy farmer now has the chance to compete in the ANZ Young Farmer Contest grand-final.

Herd manager and Eastern Bay Young Farmers' Club member Josh Cozens, 24, has just won the Bay of Plenty district final, hosted by the Reporoa Young Farmers' Club.

Contestents competing in the agri-sports race. Photo: Victoria Crafar.

'I'm pretty stoked, it was my first time entering. I thought I'd try it out and see what it's all about, and it is good for our club to get out there. I was shocked to take it out.”

Josh topped the contest above nine other competitors, who were representing Reporoa, Massey and Eastern Bay Young Farmers Clubs.

He will travel to Hamilton in February to take part in the regional final, the forerunner competition to the grand final and says the district final gave him good experience to take with him.

Contest day, a combined event with the Reporoa Tractor Pull and Rural Safety, drew a big crowd of families, visitors and locals, pleasing organisers. The BayTrust Rescue Helicopter was the beneficiary of the event.

On the fence: Eastern Bay Young Farmers Club chairperson Josh Cozens, right, taking on the fencing challenge, looked on and judged by former Young Farmer grand finalist and Reporoa local David Chatterton. Photo: Victoria Crafar.

Reporoa Young Farmers Club chairman Alastair Neville said he was really impressed with the way the contest came together.

'We had a field of really enthusiastic contestants with varying ages and backgrounds. Good to see a few young ladies in the mix, keeping their male counterparts honest.”

He said the contest module challenges were designed to test various skills, both theory and practical, which kept most contestants on their toes. There were 12 modules, ranging from welding and fencing, to cake decorating.

'Running an agrisports event (farming pentathlon), similar to what is seen at grand final level sorted out the contestants physical and mental fitness,” says Alastair.

Several local businesses and organisations got behind the club to create, assist and judge the modules.

'It was a combination of those and a lot of time and commitment from members that has made the club pull off a successful contest, which was followed by an evening show and ball at the Reporoa Memorial Hall.

'For a relatively young club, we have exceeded our own expectations and it is great to see things are moving forward a lot quicker than imagined.”

Alastair says the Reporoa Young Farmers Club has grown from three members a year ago to 36 now.

'It is a great achievement and the outlook for the club is a positive one.”

The next major Reporoa Young Farmers event will be a raft race in February, restoring a once yearly tradition for the area.

Those taking part in young farmer contest were Josh Cozens, Eastern Bay ; James Beattie, Massey ; Josie Winters, Massey ; Anthony Bolstad, Eastern ; Monique Mathis, Massey ; Corey Turchie, Repora; Nat Hawthorne, Reporoa; Brandon Sayliss, Eastern; Susan Anderson, Reporoa; Michael Ward, Reporoa.

Doing well: Edgecumbe herd manager Josh Cozens completing the ATV module in the Bay of Plenty district final at Reporoa. Photo: Victoria Crafar.