Newspaper Article 2007 – Young Farmer thanks brother

Young Farmer thanks brother

Callum Thomson’s [Thomsen’s] older brother Kynan helped fine-tune his technical skills.

REBECCA HARPER

Newly crowned Young Farmer of the Year Callum Thomsen already knows his future is on the farm.

But he says the title may come in handy next time he fronts up at the bank to ask for investment in the farm.

The Patoka sheep and beef farmer took out the prestigious competition in Rotorua earlier this month and was presented with his trophy at the Stortford Lodge branch of the National Bank last Friday.

The trophy, made of West Coast pounamu and solid silver, was a smaller replica of the official trophy. The difference being this one was his to keep.

National Bank Stortford Lodge rural manager Dick Kingston told Mr Thomsen not to underestimate where the title could take him and said it was a special moment to present a local farmer with the trophy.

“It’s great to see a local boy come good. I admire what you have achieved – we will be seeing more of you,” Mr Kingston said.

“As market leaders we want to be aligned with people who are cutting edge,” he said.

Mr Thomsen paid tribute to his older brother Kynan, himself a seasoned Young Farmer competitor, for fine tuning his technical skills.

“I’ve always struggled with my technical, but it was one of his strengths. My brother put a lot of time into me this year and it paid off.”

Photo caption – PROUD MOMENT: Young Farmer of the Year Callum Thomsen, of Patoka, is presented with his trophy outside the Stortford Lodge National Bank.
HBTODAY PICTURE: Steven McNicoll