The Country 13/06/25: George Dodson talks to Jamie Mackay

The 2024 FMG Young Farmer of the Year discusses how winning the title has changed his life and advises those in the grand final coming up in early July in Invercargill.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
But here he is. Are you the most eligible bachelor
in Canterbury, George Johnson or is that just rumor?

Speaker 2 (00:06):
No, I think there was a rumor started by James
Mega Jamie. I've actually got a partner back home, so
definitely not on the bachelor list.

Speaker 1 (00:12):
Well, you did very well technically. Technically you were the
best debater and that big Rural Support Trust debate at
Claudland's five hundred and forty people on Wednesday night. Have
you done a bit of.

Speaker 2 (00:21):
That mainly just a bit of speeches and stuff from
Grand Final last year. It was definitely a change in
pressure when the Prime Minister's sitting about ten meters in
funny youth, so that was quite terrifying. But yeah, I
think my debate structure was pretty good and most of
the other guys on the debate were pretty keen on
sort of some personal level attacks against the other politicians
which was quite funny. But it was a great event.

Speaker 1 (00:44):
Hell has been the Young Farmer of the Year. Changed
your life.

Speaker 2 (00:49):
I probably would struggle to overstate it to the Fitz. Yeah,
like you say, life changing, the opportunities for the things
like the Royal Support Trust event that I just talked
about career opportunities and then get into speaking to young
people and stuff, trying to get them into farming, which
is one of my main ambitions. So across the board,
you know, absolutely life changing.

Speaker 1 (01:08):
Tell us about your farming operation.

Speaker 2 (01:10):
Yes, I've actually just moved farm. So I was on
a four hundred and forty cow dairy farm in Canterbury
last season and recently have moved up to the foothills
of Horta down in Canterbury. So we have a seven
hundred and thirty cow dairy farm there which I'm managing
with my father.

Speaker 1 (01:25):
So as the ultimate Dame well Through farm succession to
take over the family farm.

Speaker 2 (01:31):
Yeah, it's not actually our family farm. He's been just
managing it for about five or sixty years now, but
we do have some plans in the next couple of
years to purchase a farm among us and the wider
family as well.

Speaker 1 (01:42):
So what does in theicargo hold for you? And it's
only about three weeks away, isn't it? The Young Farmer
Grand Final?

Speaker 2 (01:48):
Yeah, it's quite a little bit sad actually you have
to give up my cloak and my crown, but give
it on to another really deserving winner. So for me,
it's a bit of a speech to talk a bit
about my year and what the competition's given me, and
then handing over my cloak and the trophy to the winner.

Speaker 1 (02:06):
Have you got any early favorites? I mean we went.
I mentioned Hugh Jackson. We spoke to him yesterday. I
think he represented Southland once or Otago's Southland. He's up here.
He's widebop now, isn't he? Yes? So so at second
time must help. Were you a second time or a
first timer?

Speaker 2 (02:22):
No? It was my first time and we're all first
timers last year which was quite good. But yeah, I
don't think there's any favorites. That it can go anyone's way.
And I didn't expect to be up on the on
the podium last year. But you can't go past the
guys with a bit of experience, and that's a mass
of help for them.

Speaker 1 (02:38):
And we'll final word of advice for these seven aspiring
young Farmers of.

Speaker 2 (02:43):
The Year, Yeah, make sure you harness every opportunity that
comes your way. At the end of the day, there's
only one winner, but you'll still get so much out
of the competition and you've just got to enjoy it.

Speaker 1 (02:52):
Okay, Hey, George. Great catching up with you again, mate.
We'll catch up with you down on them Picargo for
that FMG Young Farmer of the