Young farmers proved their knowledge of key industry skills during The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs’ Competitions Day at the end of June.

YFC members’ skills were tested in a range of agricultural tasks including devising ideas for new farm machinery, fence erecting, welding, tractor and ATV handling – as well as key farm safety and first aid challenges.

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The Farm Safety Foundation supported the Workshop Skills’ competition and Stephanie Berkeley from Yellow Wellies said it was reassuring to see the level of farm safety knowledge.

“We have finally been involved in Competitions Day, which is fantastic as it helps to reinforce the farm safety message to YFC members. It was reassuring to witness the level of knowledge that young farmers in the competition final had about managing risks on the farm and the winning Pembrokeshire team were exceptional.

“Competitions like this and the Farm Safety Curve module are helping us to address the fact that farming still has the poorest safety record of any occupation in the UK. The next generation are more aware and informed and we want them to bring these good behaviours into the industry and start to challenge older farmers.”

Pembrokeshire FYFC have won a farm safety-style competition at the national finals for the past eight years.

Rhys Bevan from Pembrokeshire FYFC said their success was due to the level of training they do in advance and that it’s an ideal competition for young farmers.

“The new scenarios really got you thinking on your feet. Questions around working at height and on ladders got you thinking about the risks and the kind of assessment you would do in advance. It’s probably the only competition where it could save someone’s life,” added Rhys.

The event, held at The Staffordshire County Showground on 30 June was for YFC members who had come top in their County and Area rounds to perform on a national stage.

More than 100 YFC members took part in the competitions, which also included a range of Public Speaking challenges, a Clay Pigeon Shooting contest and a YFC Live competition, where members showcased a skill they had learnt through the organisation.

NFYFC’s Competitions programme is designed for its 23,500 members to develop skills that will help them in their personal and professional lives.

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Elizabeth Charles, from Leicestershire FYFC, won the Situations Vacant competition, which was sponsored by agricultural recruitment company JP Trett.

The competition is designed to help members with future job applications by asking them to submit CVs and application forms for a job they would be interested in. The national finalists faced an interview from JP Trett judge Pheobe Gale.

Pheobe, Operations Manager at JP Trett, said: “Elizabeth showed exceptional promise right from the outset. Her application letter was concise and it showed clearly what she was capable of and what she could offer the company through her university degree and work experience. Throughout the interview Elizabeth proved that she had done excellent research not only on the role that she was applying for but also the company and the industry.

“I was delighted to have been able to be able to name Elizabeth as the very worthy winner of the Situations Vacant competition and wish her the very best for what will inevitably be a successful future career.”

Elizabeth chose a job for the competition that she had already been interviewed   for in real life.

“I applied for a Veterinary Technical Admin Assistant and it was really great to have judges with real-life experience of interviewing people. Pheobe from JP Trett does this day in and day out and she gave us a good grilling. It was a really constructive day as I learnt a lot about how to present myself and how to interview well.“

NFYFC hosted its national Sports Day during the same weekend and YFC members from across England and Wales competed in Dodgeball, Hockey and Ultimate Frisbee. 

To see all of the results from the weekend, see the page online here.