Clear blue skies and dry conditions provided the perfect setting for the 2026 Stormont County Plowing Match on Sat., Oct. 10. While some prefer the sound and power of the tractors in the plowing match, there is something very relaxing about watching the power and grace of a team of horses. Tinkess Photo

NEWINGTON – With clear blue skies, slight breeze, and not a hint of moisture in sight, you couldn’t have asked for a better day for the 2026 Stormont County Plowing Match, which this year was hosted by Kevin and Alex Winters on their farm west of Newington.

With the many volunteers busy getting things set up for the big day, the only thing missing was the participants, but they started to arrive early and continued throughout the day.

Jeff Waldroff is the Advisory Councillor for Stormont County for the Ontario Plowmen’s Association, and he was very happy with how things were going.

“It’s a beautiful day, and we have 60 lands, 60 tractor lands marked out, and we’ve got 10 horse plowing lands marked out,” said Waldroff. I think we have six horse lands being ploughed there right now. I don’t know about the tractors, but it’s a good turnout.

“Our support is always from outside,” continued Waldroff. “Because we probably have 20 plowers in our county, but those other ones are all coming from outside. We have some from Quebec and one maybe even two from as far west as Leeds County. So, it’s all the different variations of plows and tractors and we’re well supported by our community. The 4-H kids are doing the lunch, and of course, we have all our corporate sponsors, and all the sponsorship boards and David Brown construction is a great contributor. There is no bill ever for washrooms or any of that stuff, and that can be $500 easily.

For a person sitting on the sidelines watching, a plowing match can be a very relaxing activity. Not so much for the person doing the plowing.

Although modern farm equipment is designed to cover large areas quickly, competitive plowing emphasizes precision, consistency and the operator’s ability to produce a well-finished piece of land. Competitors may use conventional or antique tractors, and there are classes that feature horse-drawn plowing.

Each competitor is assigned a designated plot of land, with its dimensions and layout determined by the competition rules and the class in which they are entered. Within that area, each competitor must plow the soil in a prescribed pattern, working methodically from the opening furrow through the main body of the plot to the final furrows. The objective is to turn over the soil evenly, bury crop residue such as stubble and weeds, and leave a uniform surface suitable for preparing a seedbed. Straight lines, consistent furrow width and depth, and a neat beginning and finish are essential. Competitors must complete the work within the allotted time while following the rules governing their class.

Judges assess the finished plot against established standards, awarding points for such details as straightness, uniformity, the shape and distinctness of the furrows, proper soil coverage, and the overall appearance of the work. They also examine the opening and finishing furrows, where mistakes can affect the quality of the entire plot. The goal is not simply to turn over the soil, but to do so with accuracy and consistency from one end of the plot to the other. Penalties may apply when work falls outside the prescribed standards or competition rules. The competitor with the highest score in their class earns the top placing, with the results reflecting both technical skill and attention to detail.

With modern “no-till” farming, the art of plowing could be a vanishing skill, if not for groups like the Ontario Plowmen’s Association who, through plowing matches, keep the skill alive.

In addition to the many volunteers and the competitors, there was also a touch of royalty at the Stormont County Plowing match, in the form of the Stormont County Queen of the Furrow, Haleigh-Jo tePlate and the recently crowned Ontario Queen of the Furrow, Carmen Ward.

For Haleigh-Jo, it was a day of mixed emotions. “This is my last day as Stormont Queen of the Furrow,” said tePlate. “Tonight, at the banquet, another girl will be taking over, because I’ve already completed my three years. I’m a little sad, because of having completed my three years and before that I was the princess for three years. I enjoyed my time as Queen and going to all these events and talking to the public about agriculture. It’s been fun.”

Ward was crowned as Ontario Queen of the Furrow on Sept. 25 at the Celebration of Excellence banquet during the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in Bruce County.  She says she has had a wonderful time so far.

“It was such a gift because I got to meet so many lovely people and make so many new friends, like Haleigh-Jo,” said Ward. “Previously, I was the Norman by Plowmen’s Association Queen of the Furrow in Gray County. I had a great year. representing them and the second the crown touched my head, I was invited to come up to Stormont. I’ve never been here before, so it’s been a wonderful time. I had a wonderful drive up here. I’m looking forward to a busy year of plowing, visiting new places and making new friends.”

After the day’s work is complete, comes the time for celebration, with the awards banquet which was held upstairs at the Finch Arena. Details of the celebration and the day’s events can be found in a separate article, but overall there were 55 plowers, and of particularly good news was the number of young plowers, (seven) who turned out, helping to keep the tradition alive and well.