Regional win puts Calvin a step closer to being country’s top cow cocky
Calvin Ball has been crowned Northland FMG Young Farmer of the Year.
Ball will now head to the grand final in Christchurch in July to compete for the national title.
Although Ball was “pretty chuffed” with his win, he also admitted to having “slightly mixed emotions,” about the final.
“I know I’ve got a lot of work to do ahead of the grand finals but it’s such an achievement.”
The eight regional finalists competed in eight modules and battled it out head-to-head in two time-and-point races at Pukekohe Showgrounds on Saturday.
Ball, who is a regional sales manager for an agri-nutrient cooperative, previously competed in the 2016 grand final.
He has learned a lot about the finer points of the competition over the years, all of which he will keep in mind for July’s grand final.
“I’m 31 now, a bit of an old wise owl, I guess. When I first started out, I’d blast through the modules as quick as I could. I’ve learned to slow down a bit now and try to really understand what the module is trying to achieve.”
Bad weather affected the regional final but did not deter Ball’s enthusiasm.
“Despite the weather, it was a really well put together regional final. It was challenging, and we were certainly pushed to the limit. All credit to everyone who helped run the event. It was a really stellar effort.”
The modules saw competitors doing a bit of everything, from grading broccoli to tackling high-tech machinery.
While Ball said his lack of appetite for vegetables may have put him at a disadvantage for the broccoli grading, he made up the points with his quick talking in the auctioneering module.
The two head-to-heads involved building a fence, planting a riparian strip, setting up irrigation and chainsawing a log, as well as cooking an omelette, painting a sign and practising first aid.
A written exam, as well as the famous FMG Young Farmer of the Year buzzer quiz also tested the regional finalist’s knowledge.
The competition was stiff from the start and a real race to the finish.
The contest was based around four strainers – technology and innovation, environment, people, and food.
Finalists who earned the top points in each strainer also won awards.
“The competition drives a culture of high performance and leadership. This is where leaders are born and nourished. To be part of this competition and be representing my regional at the grand finals is such a privilege,” Ball said.