Tom Slee Triumphs in Prestigious 2026 FMG Young Farmer Contest

Tom Slee, a 29-year-old dairy farmer from Otago Southland, has been awarded the 2026 FMG Young Farmer of the Year title, one of New Zealand's most esteemed agricultural accolades. The event took place in New Plymouth, marking its debut in the region. Slee emerged victorious on Saturday evening, outperforming six other regional champions from across the country.

This victory continues a family tradition, as Slee follows in the footsteps of his father, Richard Slee, who won the title in 1999, and his uncle, Simon Hopcroft, who claimed it in 2004. This win brings the trophy back to the Otago Southland region for the first time since Season 50.

The competition involved a series of rigorous agricultural challenges, assessing various skills such as technical knowledge, professional interviews, practical tasks, and public speaking. During the final Agri-Knowledge quiz round, Slee was initially in third place but managed to secure the win by excelling in the buzzer round, ultimately surpassing runner-up Jack Taggart by a narrow 10-point margin, with Cam Clayton finishing third.

Slee was supported by a team of over 60 individuals who traveled to New Plymouth to cheer for him during the demanding Grand Final weekend. In his victory speech, he expressed gratitude to his family, partner Genevieve, event organizers, and sponsors. In addition to the national title, Slee also achieved top honors in the agribusiness and agri-knowledge segments, bringing his total prize value to over $90,000.

Despite the opportunities that come with this national recognition, Slee emphasized his commitment to returning to his farm to manage the ongoing calving season. He expressed a deep passion for practical farming, stating that his primary satisfaction comes from working on the land with his livestock.