I think it was Pennine who posted on here once Harry and he said to buy your own decent cup and have any of your wins engraved on it, you get to keep it and when you pass on your family get it for keeps with a record of how well you have done
Are Ploughing Matches Under Threat?
- Thread starter Cordiale
- Start date
From an outsiders point of view, the panacea of min till has fallen somewhat by the wayside with regard to control of grass weeds - hence the resurgence of mouldboard ploughing.
Roundup has had a massive impact on the agricultural economy in terms of one crop out - next crop in immediately. Long gone are the days of fallow needed to clear fields of wicks or twitch as so called in some regions.
We are warned that glyphosate residues can be found in bread and beer. Surely this can be attributed to spraying crops off to give an even ripen before harvest, kill some of the foliage of grass weeds or to lock hagbergs in to higher numbers. Could this not be controlled more by how it is used rather than where it is used? Just asking the question. There are also some studies which indicate that there is an issue over the depth of cultivation if over 250mm being an issue. None of us plough at that depth. It could turn out to be a major issue on sand land.
Simple point of issue though in that if glyphosate is banned and farmers need to take a subsidy to maintain their businesses economy, then like it or not, we as ploughmen become a poor second.
There are a few of us who have said for a long time that giving a ‘rent’ for ploughing land might become a nescessity. I believe it is in some parts of Ireland.
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Not all Societies expect the winner to pay.
By the same token not many winners expect the Society to pay.
Regardless of who actually owns the history of any trophy, there is no finer accolade than having your name engraved amongst some of the best ploughmen who ever lived. It is there for posterity.
Timo@hattonfarms
Member
- Location
- Warwickshire
This is very true, I’m 27 did 2 matches last year due to time and work etc we had our first baby 6 weeks ago so can’t see me doing many more this year. Trouble is when I do do my 2 matches a year i’m up against ploughmen who are doing upwards of 50 matches a year. Just can’t compete with experience
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12 bore
Member
I think pennine ploughing has hit the nail on the head a lot of it for younger people is time and money. Im only just getting in to ploughing but have had old tractors since I was 13. Used to do a lot of shows, then I got married early 20s, bought a house which needed a lot of work I might add not in the village where I grew up because anything other than a shoebox was out of my league! Then kids came along etc! So everything else took a back seat tractors, shooting. Now 30 and I'm fortunate that financially I'm better off and work life balance is better so last year the tractors actually had a run out to a couple of shows! Got 2 ploughing matches and road runs entered already this year I get the kids involved so I can hopefully make it a family thing.
To a degree then in all fairness most of us came to it by the same circuitous route. I am 65 and have been ploughing for 20 years. I was 45 before being able to afford either the time or the kit. A lot of people come to it at that age. Buying houses, having kids and making sure we could afford Santa Clause calling on his annual round were far more important issues.
What is different are the numbers involved generally in agriculture during their formative years. Many of us when younger started work on farms using kit which is now Vintage or Classic. There are not the numbers now and the kit is much bigger. The nostalgia thing long gone. Possibly the power harrow has a lot to answer for. Modern agriculture being the 7 day week thing it is, is yet another nail in the coffin.
Hopefully there are enough of us to keep it going. A high average age, whilst being a pointer might not actually be as bad a precursor of doom as many imagine.
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It’s a 1973 and yes tractor on its own is ok on the ifor but not a plough as well but to be honest there is 2-3 ploughing matches within driving distance of here each year or I have a low loader I can move it around on so weight not a problem. Don’t fancy a reversible tho, got a 5 furrow one of those that I don’t really use for fun!!! [emoji23]
What about junior classes, my eldest is 11 and he would love to have a go? Guess he needs to be 13 at least?
Also, we have access to a grey fergie that we could put a plough on for going further afield?
The societies take enough money now, and for very little, if you look at things. When I started, every trophy was engraved by the society, who would deliver it to you when ready.Posterity? Piffle, its just a list of names of interest only to those listed. If it is such an accolade, then it should be part of the prize, not an extra expense.,For example at Guildford, you could come away with around five trophies, that would add up to around £60.00 engraving costs. However the society recognised this, and arranged the engraving and delivery themselves, so the prize was a prize, not a liability!
You want to plough in "X" match, you pay your entry fee. "X" organisers want the winners name on their trophy, they pay.
Nothing wrong with a grey Fergie. You have the option of a Fergie plough and enter Fergie classes or a Ransomes TS54 Robin or TS59 with YL boards and plough vintage. Transport is a piece of cake. Most ploughmen in vintage/classic prefer 1.5 to 2 tonne tractors
- Location
- Cirencester
Be nice to have that problem!! In my short (almost 2yrs) of ploughing I have won 2 cups, and both times the organizers sorted out the engraving, I guess when young (ish!!) and keen it's small change compared to fueling up and getting to an event.
Re land and farming practices, direct drilling was the buzzword back in the 70's, my father was in the Cirencester Direct Drill club, we then had stubble burning and a whole host of chemicals that worked and also the Massey 130 direct drill (still parked in the shed) It didn't work then and despite what you read on this forum I am doubtful it will be the golden egg for modern agriculture, on some soils yes but others no. Even more so loosing various chemicals and if they ban glypho how can it possibly work???
Re matches, I think that Social media highlights a lot of matches as opposed to the SOP site, I know on Faceache we find out about a lot more matches than we would normally. I spoke with a fellow competitor at the last match I was at and he said it was only the 2nd match he'd attended this year, I told him it was my 8th and he wanted to know where I found out about all the matches, his reply was he was not on Faceache.
I have spoken to a couple of chaps at matches who have Fergie's tucked away and fancy doing some ploughing with them, live local'ish so gave them all the details of the club etc, be interesting to see if they turn up. They cited that we were a friendly bunch who seemed to have a lot of fun, exactly the reason why I started.
Re land and farming practices, direct drilling was the buzzword back in the 70's, my father was in the Cirencester Direct Drill club, we then had stubble burning and a whole host of chemicals that worked and also the Massey 130 direct drill (still parked in the shed) It didn't work then and despite what you read on this forum I am doubtful it will be the golden egg for modern agriculture, on some soils yes but others no. Even more so loosing various chemicals and if they ban glypho how can it possibly work???
Re matches, I think that Social media highlights a lot of matches as opposed to the SOP site, I know on Faceache we find out about a lot more matches than we would normally. I spoke with a fellow competitor at the last match I was at and he said it was only the 2nd match he'd attended this year, I told him it was my 8th and he wanted to know where I found out about all the matches, his reply was he was not on Faceache.
I have spoken to a couple of chaps at matches who have Fergie's tucked away and fancy doing some ploughing with them, live local'ish so gave them all the details of the club etc, be interesting to see if they turn up. They cited that we were a friendly bunch who seemed to have a lot of fun, exactly the reason why I started.
TrickyT
Member
Being a relative late comer to ploughing these are my thought on the issue.
When I first got my Fergie an plough, I could initially only do the matches that were local that I was able to drive to.
I then managed to be able to borrow a trailer and tow it behind my fathers 4x4 to go a bit further afield.
I then managed to purchase my own trailer after looking about to ensure that the weight of the trailer, Fergie and plough were all under 2000kg to tow behind the Discovery Sport that I was fortunate enough to get as a company vehicle.
I have now upgraded to a 7.5t flatbed to widen my options.
Now I have been fortunate, but this is my view on why I think there are not many youngsters coming thought.
To transport a tractor/plough to a match you need a decent size 4x4 (unless you are ploughing Fergie as mentioned about) and a trailer.
Unless you can justify it, a 4x4 isn't the most practical of vehicles as a daily run about (IMO) and trailers are not cheap! Insurance and running costs would be quite crippling to a youngster.
You then have the issue that you may need to take an additional test so that you can tow your outfit to a match.
There are also other factors, having someone to take the time and effort to 'show you the ropes' something that is not easy if you are trying to plough yourself and help others at the same time.
Just my opinion.
Trevor
When I first got my Fergie an plough, I could initially only do the matches that were local that I was able to drive to.
I then managed to be able to borrow a trailer and tow it behind my fathers 4x4 to go a bit further afield.
I then managed to purchase my own trailer after looking about to ensure that the weight of the trailer, Fergie and plough were all under 2000kg to tow behind the Discovery Sport that I was fortunate enough to get as a company vehicle.
I have now upgraded to a 7.5t flatbed to widen my options.
Now I have been fortunate, but this is my view on why I think there are not many youngsters coming thought.
To transport a tractor/plough to a match you need a decent size 4x4 (unless you are ploughing Fergie as mentioned about) and a trailer.
Unless you can justify it, a 4x4 isn't the most practical of vehicles as a daily run about (IMO) and trailers are not cheap! Insurance and running costs would be quite crippling to a youngster.
You then have the issue that you may need to take an additional test so that you can tow your outfit to a match.
There are also other factors, having someone to take the time and effort to 'show you the ropes' something that is not easy if you are trying to plough yourself and help others at the same time.
Just my opinion.
Trevor
12 bore
Member
I agree I think a lot of us come in to it the same way and at a time when life is a bit quieter.
I was lucky when growing up I helped on a dairy farm, it was like a timewarp 135 was the main tractor. The elderly lady who owned it was only interested in the cattle never drove the tractor so at 15 I was making all the hay on the 135 and my Fergie with all the old kit. At the time I didnt really realise how fortunate I was to use this machinery as to me I was just using what I had available to me. So I'm fortunate to have the memories of using older machinery even though they were a bit before my time!!
Come on Aitch. Nothing less than the bigoted opinion of a miserly bad loser.
Piffle my back eye. Come to this neck of the woods and see some of the many famed names engraved on some brilliant trophies. Whilst the trophy belongs to the society, the history belongs in equal measure to those immortalised thereon.
If we at Scarcroft are to pay for the engraving then the entry fee will need to go up. We do not operate to make a profit but aim to break even - hard to do with 500 quid prize money and 250 quid to find for a road sweeper.
We do however raise funds for charity - between 6 & £800 per year, throughout the year, by virtue of fundraising through Friends of Scarcroft & District Ploughing Society.
Pretty conspicuous by your absence from fundraising and administration Aitch.
blast from the past that is. When I started there were no matches for vintage, just working events, and I used to drive the tractor with the plough on a trailer behind. Then local matches gave in, and put classes in for us. here is the early kit, plough was one of five I was given I also had a four furrow cockshut. Tractor is International W4 GKX 626 if anyone knows where it is now.
- Location
- 200 miles N,NW of New York
bloody hell Harry, that photo is dated 1948
12 bore
Member
I agree with finding someone to help you out, having a willing mentor is like gold dust! That and land to practice On, many round here arent that keen on letting you on to have a practice on the stubble after harvest. Mind you its rarely there long enough to make use of it.
- Location
- 200 miles N,NW of New York
where are you at, as someone near might offer to help if they knew where you are
Wish I knew more about it, it was in my late mothers effects and my ex wife sent it to me. I think its an evening advertiser photo, probably taken about 1973, I must have left the RN, too much hair!
12 bore
Member
Im in Suffolk not too far from ipswich, done a bit of ploughing in the past but nothing at any competition level mainly working days just playing
- Location
- 200 miles N,NW of New York
- Tags
- tillage