Farmers had a chance to test their skills against one another over the weekend at an Amherstburg farm.
The Essex County Plowing Match competition was hosted last Saturday by Larry and Dan Pajot at the farm on Concession 7 South. There was also a farm equipment show as part of the day.
Following the competition, participants, their families and organizers went to the awards dinner at the Harrow Fair Agricultural Hall.
“It’s the local plowing match,” said Essex County Plowmen’s Association president Lyle Hall. “We hold it every year. It circulates around the county, hosted by different farms.”
The plowing competition had several components to it that judges had to review, everything from cleanliness to straightness and more.
“This competitors compete in different age groups, different classes,” explained Hall.
There are pieces of field the competitors have to plow, with judges scoring the plowing out of a total of 200 points. An estimated 18 competitors, some in multiple classes, competed, though it was slightly down this year. Upwards of 24 competitors have been known to compete in previous years though inclement weather in other parts of Essex County last week may have negatively impacted attendance.
“They have to have a minimum of 125-130 points out of 200 to be able to go to the International Plowing Match,” said Hall. “The International Plowing Match is held all over Ontario.”
This year’s International Plowing Match will be held in Lindsay, Ontario this October, Hall added.
Hall said he has been competing in the Essex County Plowing Match and International Plowing Match for approximately 30 years, but is glad to see younger farmers come along and compete.
Farmers from as far as Lambton County, Middlesex County and as far as Hagersville came to town for the competition last Saturday.
Winners were Austin McLeod of Cottam (Class 1), Braedon Douglas of Staples (Class 3 and Class 7), Don Anger of Harrow (Class 4), Rowen Dawson of Kingsville (Class 5), Essex MPP Anthony Leardi (Class 6), Scott Douglas of Staples (Class 9), Chris Wismer of Amherstburg (Class 11), Paul Hodgson of Ilderton (Class 12), Brian Sterling of Pain Court (Class 13), Robert Sterling of Pain Court (Class 14), Danielle Gagnier of Kingsville (Class 16) and the scholarship winner of Alexis Duhig of Cottam.
Essex County Plowing Match makes stop in Amherstburg
By Ron Giofu
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