North Otago farm consultant Grant McNaughton has been crowned New Zealand’s Young Farmer of the Year for 2010.

Mr McNaughton claimed the title in Gore on Saturday night after three days of competition, heading off two other South Islanders, Pete Gardyne of Southland and Andrew Scott of South Canterbury.

The man they call ‘Marmite’ says his victory is the realization of his boyhood dream.

Mr McNaughton walks away with more than $100,000 in prizes.