Otago-Southland Young Farmer contestant Hayden Peter (29), of Winton, missed out on a podium place at the national finals of the event in Masterton on Saturday.
Ashburton dairy farm manager Will Grayling (25), of the Pendarves Young Farmers club, was crowned champion after three days of competition, securing the title by seven points from Waikato-Bay of Plenty representative Tim van de Molen.
Long-time Young Farmers Contest compere Jim Hopkins, of Oamaru, was farewelled at the event, after an association that began in 1991.
Otago-Southland representatives secured first and second in the TeenAg grand final contest, with Waikaka team-mates Robert Gregory and James Gardyne winning from their siblings Allan Gregory and Richard Gardyne.