What do Lapland, Oasis and Baltic pine all have in common? They all featured in NFYFC’s Competitions Day 2026!
A range of Young Farmers’ skills were put to the test during the one-day event in July, where 13 national finals took place in Staffordshire.
While packed corridors of young people paced the floors preparing for the Public Speaking competitions, others carefully constructed Cube Exhibits, rehearsed for dancing and choir competitions or were busy in the field demonstrating their abilities in a range of agricultural disciplines.
Evelyn from Leicestershire competed in the junior Public Speaking competition and enjoyed being at a national event.
“The difference competing here is that it’s very competitive and a very high standard,” said Evelyn. “There’s such a good sense of community and it’s been a really enjoyable day.”
There were four public speaking competitions, including Junior Reading, Brainstrust, Debating and the junior Public Speaking competition.
Anna from Carmarthenshire won the Best Vote of Thanks in the junior Public Speaking competition after listening and commenting on a talk about an event.
“I was incredibly shocked and surprised,” said Anna about winning an individual award as well as the team coming third overall. “I didn’t expect to win at all, but I was very happy because me and my team and coaches have all worked very hard.”
Spectators at Competitions Day had plenty to enjoy throughout the day – not least seeing the Cube Exhibits which were created using the theme of 'our favourite place'.
The winning design, which incorporated five different crafts, used Lapland as their inspiration due to one of the club’s youngest members visiting the destination.
Llanllwni YFC in Carmarthenshire said they were keen to create a ‘magical’ scene.
“We picked Lapland due to the inspiration from Megan, our youngest member,” explained Siriol Howells. “She described her magical experience in Lapland, and we were so mesmerised that we decided it might be our favourite place as well.”
One of the rules this year asked all teams to include something made from British Wool, and Llanllwni YFC met the brief by creating a woollen Santa – out of Welsh wool.
Over in the Show Choir competition, which was viewed by a member of the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir, it was Warwickshire’s harmonies and movement that impressed the judges the most.
The county chose Don’t Look Back in Anger by Oasis as one of their songs and then really got into their groove with their performance of Blame it on the Boogie.
County Chair Katy Walsh said the club had watched the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir for inspiration.
“I think it’s really good we’ve got the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir. I think they’re an inspiration to everybody in Young Farmers and they’re making choir cool, so now we’re fitting in,” said Katy who found taking part had boosted the club’s mental health.
Dancers from a range of clubs in the Southern District of Cumbria had bonded during rehearsals for their Commercial Dance competition, which has helped overcome the rivalry between clubs.
Over at the Fence Erecting, teams were able to use materials donated by Tornado Wire and M&M Timber. The two companies also donated materials for the Area finals too.
Herefordshire won for a second consecutive year and team member Ed Thomas, who works for MGM Fencing in Herefordshire, said he found the wire great to work with.
“Materials from Tornado – brilliant wire. We use it every day and would rarely use anything else to be honest.”
Tim Downes-Hopkins who was part of the winning team last year was impressed with the Fortipost product from M&M Timber, which was made from Baltic pine with a 40-year guarantee.
“The M&M Timber is really good, real clean timber all the way through. It’s nice for chiselling out so the finished product was really good with it.”
While Auctioneering, supported by IAE, was won by auctioneer Ben Slawson from Devon, and Gwent won the Farm Machinery Skills competition, the East and West midlands dominated in the Clay Pigeon Shooting, supported by BASC.
Kallum Burrell from Lincolnshire won the senior category with Jack from Staffordshire winning the junior round. Both are no stranger to the national finals and Kallum, who discovered his love for the sport through YFC, will also be representing Great Britain in the World Sporting Championships in Portugal.
“YFC is definitely what pushed me into shooting and helped me find my passion in life,” said Kallum. “My first competition was a YFC County one in Lincolnshire when I was 12 years old. I shot two out of 50 and I won £59 for being a high scoring junior. I became hooked!”
All the top three places in both categories also received prize money from Oakedge Shooting Ground, where the competition was held.
Competitions Day also raised more than £1,000 for the Federation through a raffle, where sponsors, partners and supporters had donated prizes.
Competitions Chair Sophie Olds said:
“Competitions Day is a celebration of the skills Young Farmers have been learning and practising throughout the membership year.
“The day would not be possible without the support of the many volunteers who help to steward and judge our competitions. We are also immensely grateful to our sponsors and partners who help to provide equipment and funding to ensure our competitions can happen. On behalf of the whole Federation, thank you to you all.”
