A YOUNG farmer from Cornwall came out top in a national stockman competition last month. 

Tom Retallick from Cornwall YFC was awarded third place in the NFYFC Stockman of the Year national final competition, which took place at the end of August. 

Young farmers wishing to enter the competition had to submit a written stock management project and be interviewed on it, as well as answer questions from a veterinary surgeon on animal management and husbandry. They also had to place and give reasons on beef animals, breeding ewes and pigs. 

Tom said: "It was fantastic to have the opportunity to compete in the National Stockman of the Year Finals, especially with such great competitors from all over the country.

"This competition encompasses all aspects of a stockman's role, from health plans, veterinary tasks and the judging of beef, sheep, pigs and dairy cattle.

"This really reinforces the work that I do day to day on a mixed farm, so I was delighted to come away with third place overall."

The full results of the national stockman competition are below. 

Senior Stockman of the Year 2024

  • 1st – Richard Jeyes, Warwickshire YFC
  • 2nd – Luned Jones, Carmarthenshire
  • 3rd – Tom Retallick, Cornwall YFC
  • Vet Tasks: 1st – Rhian Lewis, Brecknock YFC
  • Project: 1st – Luned Jones, Carmarthenshire

Gloucestershire YFC's Hannah Marsh, who is part of Winchcombe young farmers, came first overall in the veterinary questionnaire competition and fifth in the stockjudging championship. 

The rest of the results from the weekend are as follows. 

Junior Stockman of the Year 

  • 1st – Lewis Bevan Radnor YFC
  • 2nd – Erin Wright - Lancashire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs
  • 3rd Enfys - Pembrokeshire YFC - CFfI Sir BenfroYFC B

Meat Identification: 1st Places

  • Joseph - Derbyshire
  • Edward - Norfolk Young Farmers & Countrysiders
  • Enfys - Pembrokeshire B
  • Lewis Bevan - Radnor
  • Becky Roberts - Shropshire YFC A

Vet Questionnaire: 1st places

  • Hannah Marsh - Gloucestershire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs
  • Erin Wright - Lancashire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs