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A competition which was born, died and then revived again in 2010 is in the middle of its 2017 season.

Young Farmers clubs across the country are battling it out to progress to their national debating final in July in Palmerston North.

On Friday at Fieldays, two teams representing the WaiBop and Taranaki/Manawatu region fought a war of words to push for a spot in that prestigious final.

It is not just the glory however, that pulls young farmers across the region to the debating table.

Casey Huffstutler, senior territory manager for the NZ Farmers, believes that the contestants develop skills more important to them.

“The aim of the competition, is to help up the skill of our members in public speaking, logic and argument skills,” said Huffstutler.

Young Farmers itself started in 1927 when the first clubs were established in Feilding, with competitions stretching from debating to fencing.

The young farmer programme also involved financial management and business development, teaching real life skills to its members.

To some of its members, like Trevor Knyvett representing WaiBop in the debates, it is all about the competition.

“It sounded like a great challenge, to pit myself against everyone else. I said it sounds good let’s give this a ride,” said Knyvett.

Young Farmers has brought Knyvett into the debating scene for his first time, and he volunteered to lead the charge to try and take WaiBop all the way to the final.

Knyvett says it is not as easy as just getting up and having an argument with someone on stage, however.

“Trying to get your message across, and it’s always a bit intimidating when there is a crowd right there.”

But the challenges are far outweighed by the positives that Knyvett and the other young farmers gain.

“It’s building that confidence in front of people, it is good value for what we are doing.

“It’s also a good laugh as well and we get to make up some good yarns as we think of what to say.”

It was not to be for Knyvett, however, as the Marton Young Farmers club from the Taranaki/Manawatu Region took out the North Island debate for a spot in the grand final against the South Island.