Northland men join race to be next FMG Young Farmer of the Year
A Northland man who helped run one of Australia’s top-producing dairy farms has his sights set on a new challenge.
Brant Julian, 24, has qualified for the Northern Regional Final of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year.
“I’m stoked. It’s a great opportunity to upskill and broaden my knowledge of the primary industries,” he said.
Brant is second-in-charge on a 500-cow dairy farm at Te Kopuru near Dargaville.
He’s one of four people to qualify for the high-profile regional final after a district contest in Ruakaka last Saturday. ( November 3)
Competitors spent the day tackling modules testing their practical and theoretical skills.
Brant is a member of Northern Wairoa Young Farmers and from 2012-2015 worked on two dairy farms in Finley, Australia.
He will be joined at the Northern Regional Final by Daniel Richards, Jack Bellamy and Brody Goodmon.
Daniel is a member of Kaipara Young Farmers and took out first place in the district contest.
“I wasn’t expecting to win,” said the 21-year-old who is managing his parents’ 300-cow dairy farm east of Wellsford.
“This will be my second regional final. I wasn’t sure what to expect the first time, but I have a lot more confidence now.”
Fellow club member Jack Bellamy, 18, is “excited” to have also qualified.
Jack and Brody
won the Northern Region Fencing Competition last month, securing them a spot in the national final in Christchurch in February.
The Northern Regional Final of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year is being held in Warkworth on March .
The final four finalists will be decided on November 17.
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
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Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Whangarei Aglow Meeting
Please join us for an inspiring massage from Pastor Geoff Wiklund, 7 pm Tikipunga Baptist Church, 25th of February!
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