13 July 2009 Young Farmer winner knows which side of the fence he likes best

 

 

From organising the Aorangi Regional Final in Fairlie for 2008, Tim, a Lincoln University Bachelor of Agriculture graduate, moved back into the competitor ranks in 2009 and says the experience behind-the-scenes last year was a big help in understanding how the event is run.

 

"Yes, it was a definite help," he says, "knowing how things operate on the organisational side."

 

But the key to success is training, preparation, experience and study and Tim's Grand Final victory in Palmerston North on Saturday night (11 July) was the climax of a steady progression from regional competitor in 2007, when he was placed third in Aorangi, to regional organiser in 2008, and experience in this year's district and regional competitions.

 

Now he says it's back to the farm to catch up on about a fortnight of unattended jobs while he's been occupied preparing for the Grand Final and attending the event in Palmerston North.

 

While it was a close finish on Saturday night with only four points separating Tim from fellow Lincoln University graduate Richard Copland, Tim says the six-point margin he had through being first in the Practical competition, points-winner in the Agrisport, and first equal in the speech, gave him some reassurance going into the final Questions round in Palmerston North's Regent on Broadway.

 

"They say that to win it you've got to go into the final round well ahead, and I was fortunate in that regard and managed to hold out."

 

Tim says that throughout the Grand Final it was great being in the company of fellow Lincoln University graduates, Richard Copland, Mark Guscott and Chris Will, all from around his same time at the University.

 

Lincoln University has played a big role in the life of the O'Sullivan family. Tim's father, Dermott, was a student at Lincoln in the early 1970s and holds a Diploma in Agriculture and a Diploma in Valuation and Farm Management. His four sons, Ryan, Brett, Tim and Chris have all done degrees or diplomas at Lincoln University. The O'Sullivans operate Glenire Farm Ltd at Cricklewood, Fairlie, a 1000-cow dairy operation. Tim is based on a cropping and run-off block at Pleasant Point. He also works in irrigation design consultancy and coowns a company specialising in irrigation and effluent pond liners. He has been a member of Mackenzie Young farmers for two years.

 

Tim's prizes totalled over $90,000 in value and included a new ute and a quad bike.

Lincoln University students have now won 20 of the 41 contests since the Young Farmer event was established in 1969. In the past 10 years they have achieved five wins, four seconds and three thirds. This is the first time in over 10 years that they have achieved first, second and third all in one Grand Final.

 

Richard Copland, Bachelor of Agricultural Science with First Class Honours, was placed second, four points behind Tim. Richard works as a finance manager for Rabobank and is based in Gore where he also farms a sheep and deer property in partnership with his parents.

 

Chris Will, a Bachelor of Agriculture graduate was third. Chris is a 50/50 sharemilker with his parents at Rongotea, near Palmerston North.