24 May 2000 Lincoln pins hopes on James Allen

Flying the flag for Lincoln University in this Saturday's regional final of the Wrightson AGMARDT Young Farmer Contest in Matamata is agricultural consultant James Allen of Hamilton.

James, a Lincoln University Bachelor of Commerce (Agricultural) graduate, is a former grand finalist representing Waikato/Bay of Plenty in last year's contest and taking fourth place.

His job as a consultant with Agriculture NZ Ltd involves him in one-to-one work with dairy farmers, and he also runs some training courses for farmers. His aim is to win this year's Grand Final, but first he must take out the regional title in Matamata on Saturday.

If he does he will be one of three Lincoln University graduates going through to the Grand Final in Christchurch over 6-8 July. The other two are Stephen Jack of Timaru who won the Aoraki Regional Final and Fred Dodson who won the Otago/Southland Regional Final.

In the past 12 Grand Finals nine of the eventual winners have had Lincoln University degrees or diplomas.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand