Meet the finalists: Bryce Win

A big moment on stage as Bryce Win is named Tasman FMG Young Farmer of the Year.

A win, a wedding, and a shot at the national title

Less than two weeks out from his wedding, Bryce Win has added another milestone to what is already shaping up to be a big year.

The 29-year-old Upper Moutere farmer was crowned Tasman’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year, earning his place at the Grand Final in July.

“It is starting to sink in now,” Win said. “On the drive home, I realised I have actually earned this and I deserve it. It feels quite nice.”

Win, a sixth-generation sheep and beef farmer, runs a 380-hectare hill country operation, carrying around 1700 Romney ewes and breeding Angus cattle, alongside buying and finishing additional stock.

It is a system he knows well, and one that helped carry him through the practical elements of the competition. But like many competitors, it was the unknowns that proved the most challenging.

“There were quite a few theoretical things I know I am not as clued up on as others,” he said.

“The exam, I knew I left a lot of points behind there. There were modules where I didn’t bomb out, but I wasn’t sure if I had got them right either.”

Among the tougher moments were questions around injury management and farm purchasing scenarios, areas not always front of mind for young farmers.

“That one where you had to talk about buying a farm, that is pretty hard when you are a young farmer,” he said.

“You don’t really know how to explain what you would do.”

Despite the uncertainty, Win put himself in a strong position heading into the final stages of the competition.

“Before the quiz on Saturday night they show the scores, and my name was at the top,” he said.

“I was like, okay, time to lock in.”

The pressure of competition is something Win has learned to manage. Having previously competed at regional level in 2023, he returned this year with a clearer understanding of what to expect.

“It took away the big nerves,” he said.

“But there were definitely moments where I had to stop and take a breath.”

Bryce Win working through one of the practical challenges at the Tasman regional final, where even the simple jobs get harder with a crowd watching.

One of those moments came during a head-to-head practical challenge.

“We had to put a chainsaw back together and my chain kept getting tangled,” he said.

“I couldn’t figure it out, so I just had to stop, breathe and work through it properly.”

It is a familiar feeling for many competitors, with routine tasks suddenly becoming more difficult under pressure.

“It is one of those things you do a million times by yourself, but as soon as someone is watching you, you have suddenly got two left hands,” he said.

Preparation for the event was deliberately broad, reflecting the unpredictable nature of the competition.

“They don’t tell you anything, they keep it all pretty tight-lipped,” Win said.

“I tried to keep my study as broad as possible. Sheep and beef I was pretty happy with, but then I was studying fertilisers, botanical names, weeds and pests.”

Even YouTube came into play.

“I heard there might be a wheel bearing, so I watched a couple of YouTube videos.”

Win’s path to the regional final was not without setbacks. After missing out on qualifying the previous year, he returned with renewed focus.

“I just missed out last year at districts,” he said.

“Watching the regionals, it looked like so much fun, especially the practical races. I got a bit jealous, so I thought I had better take it seriously and try and get through.”

That decision has now paid off, with Win turning his attention to the Grand Final in New Plymouth later this year.

“It is going to take a team,” he said.

“I will talk to previous finalists and a lot of other farmers and try to get experience in areas I am not as familiar with, like machinery and different systems.”

“It is always fun learning new things. It is just trying to retain it all and bring it back under pressure.”

Before that, however, there is another major event on the horizon.

Win is set to marry fiancée Briar Kinney in just days, with the ceremony to be held on the farm.

“We have got a stand of native bush, and the reception will be in the middle of a hay paddock,” he said.

“It should be nice.”

With a stag do, wedding preparations and a busy farming season all colliding, it has been a hectic few weeks.

“It all comes thick and fast,” he said.

“But it will be hard to beat.”

As for advice heading into married life, Win said the advice from fellow farmers has been simple.

“Mostly just say yes when you have to,” he laughs.

“And don’t go to bed angry.”