130 | nzdairy After leaving school, Thomas took a gap year off to go shepherding near Queenstown before completing a Bachelor of Agricultural Commerce at Lincoln University. FMG Young Farmer of the Year Award » Waiau Ag Ltd Consistency number one for Young Farmer of the Year Kim Newth It has been a hectic time for Southland contract milker Thomas Slee since he won the Otago Southland FMG Young Farmer of the Year regional final in February. As well as prepping for the competition’s grand final in New Plymouth this July, he was busy through the late Autumn season drying off some 800 cows and managing the transition to fodder beet. “It was brilliant to make the cut for the grand final though,” says Thomas, 28, [speaking in the lead-up to the big day]. “I’ve been doing what I can, when I can and I’ve had good support from my local Nightcaps Young Farmers Club. Around half a dozen members will be coming up to the grand final, which is pretty special.” This year marked Thomas’ third shot at regional honours, having previously come second and fifth. Thomas came out tops this time after scoring the most points in five challenging events, which included making a possum trap and answering questions in a quick fire quiz. Having attended several grand finals in the past, he knows it’s a tough nut to crack. “The grand final is the ultimate test: it’s more technical and more in-depth. The biggest challenge involves getting through the stuff I don’t Kieran Middleton, Partner p: 03 218 6179 e: kieran.middleton@mcp.co.nz w: www.mcp.co.nz Proud to support Waiau Ag Ltd and Thomas Slee At McCulloch & Partners, we are a local business run by local people. Whether you need support understanding your numbers, help with 1-v_Yoķ |- -7b1; -m7 rѴ-mmbm]ķ ou - uo-7l-r =ou v11;vvķ ou |;-l is here to help. om|-1| v =ou - =u;v_ r;uvr;1ঞ; -m7 0vbm;vv ;r;uঞv;ĺ Our Agribusiness team do business best over a cuppa. We come to you, because to help your business, we want to know it as well as you do. We are in your community, using our local knowledge and expertise to help you achieve your goals. Keen to chat with your local team? Check out westpac.co.nz/agribusiness Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply to Westpac products and services. Eligibility and lending criteria apply to some Westpac product and services. Westpac New Zealand Limited. YOUR PADDOCKS ARE OUR OFFICE
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