News
22 June, 2022
Young farmers up to the challenge
WHILE there is no doubting a farmer’s life can be tough, there is also time for some fun and games, as the teams competing at the Toogoolawah Show proved.
Event organiser Matthew Lukritz said while the challenge was plenty of fun for contestants, it also had a serious side.
“Not only were they competing for a place at the RNA, but they were also showing visitors, who maybe don’t fully understand a farmer’s life, some of the daily challenges they face,” Mr Lukritz said.
“So, in a way, they are also promoting the farming lifestyle.”
With the initial ‘knock out round’ requiring each team to roll a swag, milk a cow, eat breakfast, string an electric fence, move a tractor tyre and two bales of hay, while also treating and evacuating a snakebite victim, Mr Lukritz said there is an air of reality in the competition.
“Yes, the breakfast challenge is all good fun, with every team member needing to eating a dry Weet-Bix and drink a Popper, the other elements are easily encountered on a regular basis.”
With support from sponsors Lowood and Fernvale Community Bank, NPACK Electrical, Nutrien Ag Solutions Toogoolawah and Stark Contracting Cattle Tick Inspections, Mr Lukritz said the event has been a big success with competitors.
The competition is open to both juniors and seniors, Mr Lukritz said, with the senior competition adding a degree of difficulty in the final.
“This is about showcasing a new level of skills, including splitting firewood into under 100mm widths, as well as Cobb and Co-ing five pieces of timber together, backing out six split posts from a log and finishing with a cross-cut saw race.
“The challenge is open to teams of four, in either the 14- to 17-year junior group, or the seniors, aged 18 to 35 years, so if anyone wants to start practicing for next year, we would love to see more teams join in, it might be something new to you, but I promise, you will have a lot of fun.”
