28 | ‘If at first you don’t suceed’ Zac’s creed Zac Thomas (inset), Otago / Southland FMG Young Farmer of the Year. Harvest time on the Thomas family’s Oakridge Farm. MEAT & WOOL » Zac Thomas - Oakridge Farm After seven previous attempts, and making it through to the regional finals on three occasions, Zac Thomas has realised his goal of being crowned the Otago / Southland FMG Young Farmer of the Year. Not knowing much about the event eight years ago, Zac says he was given a nudge by a previous contestant and caught the bug from that point on. “I’m a competitive person, whether it’s a contest, sport, or doing the dishes faster than my wife. I also get a lot of learning out of entering, as well as networking with others. I’ve been on the organising side of the event on previous occasions which provided me with insights about what the judges were looking for.” Complimenting this year’s organising committee, Zac says that from a competitor’s perspective it was a straight forward event, where you knew exactly where you had to be and when, and while the tasks were practical everyday farm jobs, they also challenged and stretched the competitors. “They placed you outside of your comfort zone, which is when you grow the most. I think my biggest challenge was staying calm, moving on to the next task, and keeping my head in the right place.” Zac reckons that his success this year was a culmination of time and experience, with a little bit of luck thrown in. “There were modules that I knew quite well and that gave me a good boost. To be successful this time around means a lot to me. It was effort being realised, but at the same time it was quite surreal. “Having been a regional finalist, I’ve always felt the people who went up to the Grand Final were a different class to me. So, to be amongst that group is quite special, and I’m grateful to be here. The Grand National is in July and there’s a lot of pre-work involved. I’m busy cracking on with that, which distracts from the enormity of what lies ahead.” Zac has been a member of the Waitane Young Farmers for the last eight years and has previously been the Club Chair, and the Otago / Southland Regional Chair. Born and bred on the family’s sheep, beef and arable farm, and farming since someone could wrap him up and put him in a vehicle, Zac has been back on the farm for the last eight years, farming with his grandfather and aunt. “I really enjoy farming, and if you didn’t you wouldn’t get up in the middle of winter when it’s raining sideways, to shift breaks. You have to have half a screw loose to want to do that, but I see a future in it. Things are pretty tough at the moment, but we’ve seen tough times in the past and we’ve come through them. We just tighten the belt buckle and get on with it and move forward. There are huge opportunities in agriculture now. It’s not just milking cows or shearing sheep; there’s a lot in the sector, and it’s about embracing those changes and having a forward vision.” To cap a year of achievements, Zac and his wife Laura have just had their first child, Adalyn, bringing with it more adjustments, and joy. Proudly supporting Oakridge Farm 0800 SGTDAN (748326) Gorton Street, GORE Ph: 208 3965 E: admin@sgtdan.co.nz FARMFRESHMILK HENDERSONDAIRY 1 Litre glass bottles For sale in local shops If you can’t find any Call Beth: 027-286-6488 Richard Loader
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