January 15, 2026 • 7 mins
Today’s farmer panel comprises two FMG Young Farmer of the Year winners, Dodson being 2024’s and Jackson 2025. They discuss dairy, sheep and beef prospects, and how to succeed in the Young Farmer of the Year contest.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Always an enjoyable time here on the country is of
course the panel and our learned team. A couple of
outstanding young farmers Young Farmers of the Year George Dodson
and Hugh Jackson join us on the panel today, one
out of Tiaka in the North, the other out of Canterbury.
(00:20):
Will start with you, Georgia. A bit of a dairy
focus GDT boost after a bit of a downward trend
toward the end of last year. This is a good
start to twenty twenty six.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
You get a hamous Gracey on the show again. Yeah.
It was certainly a good, good uplift after strong downward
trend I suppose, and the global milk supply looks to
be on the up, which is potentially not a positive sign,
but was definitely good to see it improved auction recently.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Yeah. Yeah, And have you started the year well George
in terms of this, you know, the season, the weather,
everything in your favor at the moment.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Yeah, it's certainly been good. It's been quite cold. Actually,
we were very dry up until mid December and then
the rain turned on and it hasn't really turned off
since then, and it's been quite cold. We haven't really
had much of a summer in all fairness.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Yep, right, Hugh Jackson. Of course, out of the arc
out sheep and beef farmer. I see, we've got a
bit of extra excess access, it might seem because of
these quotas with China. So good news in that sector
as well, Hugh. To start the.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
Year, could they hay much every new year? Yeah, it's
good news for sure, and we'll all help keep upward
pressure on the process, which is what we want to see.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
Oh yeah, I tell you well. I'm a regular at
the Fielding sale yards these days and I sort of
sit there with my calculator and think to myself, Yep,
this is okay. Let's keep it going for the long
term now, guys, Young Farmer Regional FMG. Young Farmer Regionals
coming up, Hugh. What's going on at the moment and
what will the contestants be going through in terms of
their mindset?
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Yes, great this time again already. But we've got the
regionals starting at the thirty first of January. He was
kicking off and rungy this year, so they'll start us
off in the last one will finish up in April
the eleventh with the Northern regional funnel there and everywhere
else in between. So it's time that the guys and
(02:14):
girls will definitely be doing some prep between now and then,
or have been doing some prep over Christmas and to
the New Year to ubscure themselves as best as they
can and now looking forward to seeing their contestants giving
it they're all and always a fun and enjoyable day
for everyone that gets involved.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
George, did they have how much of an insight or
how much of a you know, a top off do
they in terms of what they have to do at
the regionals and et cetera? Were to make it through
to the young Farmer of the year so that they
can work on the skills that they might be a
little bit lagging inside to speak.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
I suppose it's a bit of friar experience or viewing
and seeing it before. A lot of those people will
have been to the competition before. That's how they would
have potentially heard about it and got involved and seeing
what goes on. They'll know there's an exam, they'll know
there's a farmlet, they'll know there's some modules and you've
got your egg resports, your your head headstyle competition and
then also the buzz acuse at the end, I think
(03:10):
they'll know the general structure and then it's just about
understanding your own strengths and weaknesses to what you want
to work on.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Yep, okay, right, Well, what's what's what's a hot tip
you'd give them, George, what's a hot tip you'd give
at this time of the year, going and given in
the next the regionals are playing out over the next
few months.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
I'll just say, become aware of what's most likely going
to be in there. You're going to have your farmlets,
so you're gonna have some fencing and that sort of stuff,
and brush up on those key skills. Don't worry too
much about those niche things that may or may not
come up, because those are the sort of things that
at a regional level you kind of addressed with what
on the day, And mainly the main thing is keeping
a cool head of those and there's a lot of
(03:49):
pressure that goes on, especially when people are watching, so
keep calm under that pressure and enjoy yourself.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Hre was that how you found it on your on
your road to glory? Did you keep keep a cool head?
The key factor.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
Definitely is a massive part of it. Yeah, for sure,
you get put under quite a bit of time pressure,
and the competitions and stuff that you do every day,
all of a sudden becomes a lot harder when the
clock's ticking. So you want to think simple and use
the time wisely and think clearly and cool, keep a
cool come head, like George said, and most importantly try
(04:25):
and relection and enjoy it and have fun.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Yeah, yea, you gotta enjoy it. Georgia. What's your big
push in twenty twenty six? What are you excited about?
I know, are you quite keen on the old social media?
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Yeah, that's probably the main one. Hamish to be fair,
I always like to have some sort of challenge going
on in my life, but that's probably probably the main
thing at the moment. And trying to bridge the little
the week urban rule divide a wee bit and just
really educate people on what's going on and farming, because
I think a lot of people, even just people that
I know and they know quite a few farmers, don't
actually see how much detail and thought and work goes
(04:58):
and behind the scenes to running a farm.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Yeah, okay, so what do you reckon is critical to
because I believe that in my circles that the urbanites
have a great understanding. The majority do, but you know,
I accept there are a group or a percentage that don't.
So what do you reckon will be key to making
sure you can sort of bridge that and tell that message.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Well, I think, like you say, they do understand the
higher level stuff, but they probably don't understand a lot
of the day to day stuff. And for me, the
style of content and sort of thing that I'm making
on the social media showing the behind the scenes stuff
and what is actually going on in the day to
day and yeah, all the stuff that gets done on
the ground by not just the business people and that
(05:44):
sort of thing, but actually the farm staff and the
workers who keep the industry ticking.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Yep, right you twenty twenty six. What's it bringing.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
Having a bit of a focus on development here on
the firm and changing things around a bit with two
techno ball systems and trying to raise the bar. There
So plenty of learning going on there and time and
time and effort, but it's pretty exciting stuff. And that's
the main focus on farm and there's for young farmers
(06:13):
just trying to plug away that club level with Hamilton
Club and also obviously helping with these young UMBs conetitions
and trying to find that next best or the young
farm for twenty twenty six. So looking forward to that road.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
Ahead, looking forward to that now, just quickly checking in
both available for the all Blacks job? Are you? You're
both keen? Keen, just teen to go, you know, put
yourself out there. I mean, who do it?
Speaker 3 (06:43):
Yeah, she's a tough job, all right, And yeah, I
don't quite think I've got the expertise of that, but yeah, yeah,
who knows.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Yeah, I think I think I'll pat on that one, Hamish,
I think, Okay, Razors pedigree, I think I'll If you
can't do it, then I don't think I'll be able
to do either.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Yeah. Yeah, well well well you know, like it's heard
somebody say recently rugby doesn't matter. Well, yes that the
last twenty four years for twenty four hours approved it,
Sure as hell does. Alright, there we go, Hugh Jackson,
George Donson, our Young Farmer's Panel. Thank you very much, gentlemen.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
Thanks Favoring Faus
Always an enjoyable time here on the country is of
course the panel and our learned team. A couple of
outstanding young farmers Young Farmers of the Year George Dodson
and Hugh Jackson join us on the panel today, one
out of Tiaka in the North, the other out of Canterbury.
(00:20):
Will start with you, Georgia. A bit of a dairy
focus GDT boost after a bit of a downward trend
toward the end of last year. This is a good
start to twenty twenty six.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
You get a hamous Gracey on the show again. Yeah.
It was certainly a good, good uplift after strong downward
trend I suppose, and the global milk supply looks to
be on the up, which is potentially not a positive sign,
but was definitely good to see it improved auction recently.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Yeah. Yeah, And have you started the year well George
in terms of this, you know, the season, the weather,
everything in your favor at the moment.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Yeah, it's certainly been good. It's been quite cold. Actually,
we were very dry up until mid December and then
the rain turned on and it hasn't really turned off
since then, and it's been quite cold. We haven't really
had much of a summer in all fairness.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Yep, right, Hugh Jackson. Of course, out of the arc
out sheep and beef farmer. I see, we've got a
bit of extra excess access, it might seem because of
these quotas with China. So good news in that sector
as well, Hugh. To start the.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
Year, could they hay much every new year? Yeah, it's
good news for sure, and we'll all help keep upward
pressure on the process, which is what we want to see.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
Oh yeah, I tell you well. I'm a regular at
the Fielding sale yards these days and I sort of
sit there with my calculator and think to myself, Yep,
this is okay. Let's keep it going for the long
term now, guys, Young Farmer Regional FMG. Young Farmer Regionals
coming up, Hugh. What's going on at the moment and
what will the contestants be going through in terms of
their mindset?
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Yes, great this time again already. But we've got the
regionals starting at the thirty first of January. He was
kicking off and rungy this year, so they'll start us
off in the last one will finish up in April
the eleventh with the Northern regional funnel there and everywhere
else in between. So it's time that the guys and
(02:14):
girls will definitely be doing some prep between now and then,
or have been doing some prep over Christmas and to
the New Year to ubscure themselves as best as they
can and now looking forward to seeing their contestants giving
it they're all and always a fun and enjoyable day
for everyone that gets involved.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
George, did they have how much of an insight or
how much of a you know, a top off do
they in terms of what they have to do at
the regionals and et cetera? Were to make it through
to the young Farmer of the year so that they
can work on the skills that they might be a
little bit lagging inside to speak.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
I suppose it's a bit of friar experience or viewing
and seeing it before. A lot of those people will
have been to the competition before. That's how they would
have potentially heard about it and got involved and seeing
what goes on. They'll know there's an exam, they'll know
there's a farmlet, they'll know there's some modules and you've
got your egg resports, your your head headstyle competition and
then also the buzz acuse at the end, I think
(03:10):
they'll know the general structure and then it's just about
understanding your own strengths and weaknesses to what you want
to work on.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Yep, okay, right, Well, what's what's what's a hot tip
you'd give them, George, what's a hot tip you'd give
at this time of the year, going and given in
the next the regionals are playing out over the next
few months.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
I'll just say, become aware of what's most likely going
to be in there. You're going to have your farmlets,
so you're gonna have some fencing and that sort of stuff,
and brush up on those key skills. Don't worry too
much about those niche things that may or may not
come up, because those are the sort of things that
at a regional level you kind of addressed with what
on the day, And mainly the main thing is keeping
a cool head of those and there's a lot of
(03:49):
pressure that goes on, especially when people are watching, so
keep calm under that pressure and enjoy yourself.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Hre was that how you found it on your on
your road to glory? Did you keep keep a cool head?
The key factor.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
Definitely is a massive part of it. Yeah, for sure,
you get put under quite a bit of time pressure,
and the competitions and stuff that you do every day,
all of a sudden becomes a lot harder when the
clock's ticking. So you want to think simple and use
the time wisely and think clearly and cool, keep a
cool come head, like George said, and most importantly try
(04:25):
and relection and enjoy it and have fun.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Yeah, yea, you gotta enjoy it. Georgia. What's your big
push in twenty twenty six? What are you excited about?
I know, are you quite keen on the old social media?
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Yeah, that's probably the main one. Hamish to be fair,
I always like to have some sort of challenge going
on in my life, but that's probably probably the main
thing at the moment. And trying to bridge the little
the week urban rule divide a wee bit and just
really educate people on what's going on and farming, because
I think a lot of people, even just people that
I know and they know quite a few farmers, don't
actually see how much detail and thought and work goes
(04:58):
and behind the scenes to running a farm.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Yeah, okay, so what do you reckon is critical to
because I believe that in my circles that the urbanites
have a great understanding. The majority do, but you know,
I accept there are a group or a percentage that don't.
So what do you reckon will be key to making
sure you can sort of bridge that and tell that message.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Well, I think, like you say, they do understand the
higher level stuff, but they probably don't understand a lot
of the day to day stuff. And for me, the
style of content and sort of thing that I'm making
on the social media showing the behind the scenes stuff
and what is actually going on in the day to
day and yeah, all the stuff that gets done on
the ground by not just the business people and that
(05:44):
sort of thing, but actually the farm staff and the
workers who keep the industry ticking.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Yep, right you twenty twenty six. What's it bringing.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
Having a bit of a focus on development here on
the firm and changing things around a bit with two
techno ball systems and trying to raise the bar. There
So plenty of learning going on there and time and
time and effort, but it's pretty exciting stuff. And that's
the main focus on farm and there's for young farmers
(06:13):
just trying to plug away that club level with Hamilton
Club and also obviously helping with these young UMBs conetitions
and trying to find that next best or the young
farm for twenty twenty six. So looking forward to that road.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
Ahead, looking forward to that now, just quickly checking in
both available for the all Blacks job? Are you? You're
both keen? Keen, just teen to go, you know, put
yourself out there. I mean, who do it?
Speaker 3 (06:43):
Yeah, she's a tough job, all right, And yeah, I
don't quite think I've got the expertise of that, but yeah, yeah,
who knows.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Yeah, I think I think I'll pat on that one, Hamish,
I think, Okay, Razors pedigree, I think I'll If you
can't do it, then I don't think I'll be able
to do either.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Yeah. Yeah, well well well you know, like it's heard
somebody say recently rugby doesn't matter. Well, yes that the
last twenty four years for twenty four hours approved it,
Sure as hell does. Alright, there we go, Hugh Jackson,
George Donson, our Young Farmer's Panel. Thank you very much, gentlemen.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
Thanks Favoring Faus
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