The annual Waiareka Valley and Waianakarua Lions Clubs' winter crop competition prizegiving and auction was attended by 250 people at Oamaru's historic Loan and Merc on Saturday night.
The 85 crops were initially judged by Lions members under the guidance of a local authority, then the top ones were inspected by representatives from major sponsor Wholesale Seeds.
''A competition for the heaviest fodder beet and the longest kale saw some very impressive entries,'' Lions spokesman Murray Linwood said.
''Early growth in the crops was somewhat disrupted by the very wet early season and a dry late season.''
The money raised from entry fees plus the 79 auction lots and 12 silent auction donations would be split between the Otago Regional Helicopter Trust, Oamaru Hospital, Oamaru Hospice Hub, and Oamaru St John Building Fund.
Results: Irrigated fodder beet: 1st Andrew Richardson, Minus One Trust; 2nd Greg Nelson, MFS Ventures, Hakataramea; 3rd Bryce Kane, Waitaki Contracting Ltd. Dry fodder beet: 1st Dave McCabe; 2nd Jimmy Hunter; 3rd Tim Petrie. Irrigated kale: 1st Matt Dalziel, Dalziel Ag; 2nd Nick Webster, Totara Fields; 3rd Mark Elliott, Awamoko Farm. Dry kale: 1st Grant Ludemann, Challenge Sheep Farm; 2nd John Dickie; 3rd Grant Gibson. Irrigated winter rape: 1st Rogan Borrie. Dry winter rape: 1st John Dickie; 2nd Barrie and Carl Sinclair, Devon Dale; 3rd Murray Rodger, Wishaw Farming. Dry swede: 1st Ian Hunter, Highway Farm; 2nd Phillip Nicolson, Nicolson Partnership. Overall winner: Grant Ludemann, Challenge Sheep Farm, dry kale.
