Contest seeks out the fittest farmers
Farm World’s fittest farmer competition proved a keenly contested event, with talented farmers from across the state converging on Lardner Park for the coveted title.
Farmers from all industries stepped off the farm and onto the field to undertake a series of challenges using both brains and brawn.
Farmers were challenged with tyre flips, tying knots, wheel barrow dragging, sledge hammering, log carries, and a minor obstacle course, testing physical strength, hand-eye coordination and mental application.
Sheep farmer Oliver Vidor of Derrinallum in western Victoria took out the overall crown, but it didn’t come without challenges from locals including Micheal Connors of Lardner, who finished third.
Peter Edwards of Lardner Movement said a fresh course was used for the final in an allround test, with competition fierce.
“This year compared to last year was much more competitive,” he said.
“We had 12 farmers taking part and looking at the scores reflected the quality.
“The top six were all within 20-30 seconds of each other, with seventh, eighth and ninth just three seconds off qualifying for the final with their times.”
Improved weather for this year’s event saw a big crowd watch on.
Mr Edwards said he intended to make the popular event on Farm World’s calendar bigger and better.
“I think it fills a massive need for the farmers,” he said.
“We had local farmers from Lardner and Athlone, along with our previous winner from Hazelwood while our winner, Oliver Vidor, was from western Victoria. That’s the aim, to attract farmers from all over.”