It's a two horse race for this year's Manitoba Outstanding Young Farmers Award.

Nominated this year are Brent and Kirsty Oswald of Steinbach (Cottonwood Holsteins) and Clint and Shannon Desjardins of Laurier (Cattle Drive Ranch).

Shannon and Clint run a Black Angus commercial cow heard of about 850.

Clint explains why he loves doing what he does.

"You've got to love the cattle if you want to be a cattle rancher and the land," he said. "You know money can't buy you what you see during calving season, a new born calf sucking its mother or the calves coming in in the fall and seeing a good uniform group of cattle coming in in the fall."

Clint says he's looking forward to meeting the other nominees and chatting with people who attend the event. He adds it's difficult for the younger generation to get involved in the industry these days, noting those that do, often choose to go with a grain only operation.

The Manitoba Outstanding Young Farmers Regional Event takes place March 3 - 5 at the Elkhorn Resort in Onanole.