14 July 2008 Lincoln graduate runner-up in National Bank Young Farmer Contest

Oamaru cropping farmer and Lincoln University graduate Nick Webster improved his Grand Final ranking in the National Bank Young Farmer Contest in Ashburton on Saturday night (12 July) by finishing in second place overall, one place up on his performance three year’s ago in the Grand Final at Whangarei.

In top spot on Saturday night and the 40th recipient of the famous Cloak of Knowledge and other trophies as the country’s National Bank Young Farmer for 2008 was David Skiffington representing the Taranaki/Manawatu Region.

Skiffington, who finished with a total of 303 points to Nick Webster’s 288, was the runner-up last year.

In third place, with 247 points was Fraser McGougan, representing Waikato/Bay of Plenty.

Nick Webster, representing the Aorangi Region, holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Agricultural) degree and was one of three Lincoln University graduates in the Grand Final. The other two, Steve Knight (Tasman Region) and James Donaldson (Northern Region), finished sixth and seventh respectively. Former students of Lincoln University have won 19 of the 40 contests since the Young Farmer event was established in 1969.