Ag Assist Proudly Backs Founding Team Member George Dodson for FMG Young Farmer of the Year 2024

At Ag Assist, supporting the next generation of farmers, contractors, and rural professionals is part of who we are. From day one, George Dodson has been on that journey with us — not only as an early Ag Assister, but also as a founding team member who has helped shape the platform into what it is today. Now, George is taking the skills and passion he’s shown within Ag Assist to the national stage, preparing for the 56th FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final in Hamilton this July.

From Southland Dairy Farm to Ag Assist and the National Stage

George grew up on a 700-cow dairy farm in Southland, but his career in agriculture wasn’t always planned. In his final year of high school, George started working for none other than Ag Assist CEO, Tony Dodunski, rolling paddocks and milking cows. “I’d milk in the mornings before school, often turn up late to class, and then head back out on the farm in the afternoon,” George recalls. When COVID-19 cancelled his plans to head to Camp America in 2020, George committed full-time to farming, quickly becoming Tony’s 2IC. Through this journey, he became one of the original team members behind Ag Assist, and remains a proud supporter of the business today.

Young Farmers Club: Building Networks and Skills

George was introduced to the Young Farmers (YF) community by his flatmate and Young Farmers alum, Cheyenne Wilson. Since then, he’s been heavily involved in Young Farmers Clubs — first in Thornbury and now in Darfield, where he works as a 2IC on a 430-cow dairy farm. “Young Farmers has been such a valuable part of my career. You meet so many great people, and the more you put in, the more you get out,” George says.

A Strong Run in FMG Young Farmer of the Year

George first competed in the FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition in 2020, placing 4th in 2022. This year, he came out on top in the Tasman Regional Final, securing his spot in the Grand Final, where he’ll face off against the top competitors from all seven regions across New Zealand.

Preparing for the Grand Final Challenge

In the lead-up to the event on July 11th, 2024, George has been flat-out preparing — from fencing practice, quizzes, farmlet exercises, to reading the entire Lincoln University Technical Manual cover to cover.“Training can feel lonely sometimes, but I make it fun by doing quizzes and practical tasks with others,” he says.

He’s now putting the finishing touches on his final projects, presentations, and speeches that form part of the competition’s technical and community challenges.

A Legacy of Farming and Family Support

George’s family has a proud history in the competition — his father, Fred Dodson, competed in the Grand Final in 2000, and his uncle won the national title in 1985.“Dad has been incredible, sitting with me for hours, reading and quizzing me,” George says.

Looking to the Future

Grand Final week won’t mark the end of George’s journey. He plans to enter a sharemilking partnership and continue building a career in New Zealand dairy farming. At Ag Assist, we’re incredibly proud to have George as part of our story from the beginning — and we’re right behind him as he takes the stage in Hamilton. Good luck, George!