The 2019 finalists are made up by two Australians and one New Zealander, who were described by judges as diverse and equally impressive.
The finalists are Luke Evans, 28, from Northern Territory, Shannon Landmark, 27, from Queensland, and Grant McNaughton from North Otago.
Evans is the station manager of Cleveland Agriculture, a 1.2 million hectare beef property at Tennant Creek
Landmark is a vet and co-ordinator of the Northern Genomics Project at the University of Queensland.
McNaughton, 34, is managing director of McNaughton Farms, a 6300ha sheep and beef farm at Oamaru.
He lives on-farm with his wife and three young children, was a recipient of the Woolworths Agricultural Business Scholarship in 2016 and winner of the Young Farmer of Year in 2010.
The three finalists were selected from a shortlist of six applicants, who were interviewed recently in Brisbane by a panel of nine judges.
Primary Platinum Producers chairman and award judge Shane McManaway says it is getting more difficult to get down to a final three, with the calibre of applicants continuing to impress and inspire the judges.
“It’s so inspiring to see what the next generation are achieving in agriculture.
“This year’s finalists are all intelligent and hardworking individuals who are each making a positive impact on our industry in quite different ways.
“From Shannon’s involvement with genomics, to Luke’s tenacity and hard work in running a massive farming operation through to Grant’s diligent and visionary approach to his large family farming operation.
The award, now in its fifth year, was set up as a tribute to the enormous contribution McDonald made to agri-business.
The three finalists will attend the PPP Conference in Port Douglas in May, where the 2019 winner will be announced.
The winner will get a tailored mentoring package in Australia and NZ, including travel and a place on one of Rabobank’s business managers programmes, $1000 cash and membership of the PPP Group.
