N.Z. Ploughing Final

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30803, 15 July 1965, Page 19

N.Z. Ploughing Final

The 22 ploughmen, among the most competent in the country, will have three hours in which to plough their half-acre plots after the firing of a red Very light at about 11 a.m. Their work will be reviewed by five expert judges and on their decision will depend the selection of the 1965 New Zealand champion, who will compete in the

world ploughing championships in Norway on October 8 and 9.

Interest in match ploughing in New Zealand has been stimulated by the introduction of the national championship event and the participation of a New Zealand representative in world ploughing, made possible largely by the sponsorship of the Atlantic Union Oil Company. Interest is likely to be further heightened in the next year or so with the allocation to this country of the world ploughing championships, which have been set down to be held between Prebbleton and Lincoln near Christchurch in May, 1967. It is appropriate that this important agricultural fixture should frequently be held in Canterbury as the country’s leading arable farming district. Not only has Canterbury got more sheep than any other land district in the country, but it also grows, according to the statistics for 1962-63, 64.6 per cent (on an acreage basis) of the country’s wheat for threshing, 71.2 per cent of the barley for threshing, 55 per cent

of the oats for threshing and 38 J per cent of the potatoes, and has not quite half of the agricultural tractors in use in the South Island. Nine of the 22 finalists on Saturday will be Canterbury men and in the 10 years that the championships have been held a Canterbury man has won it six times.

The host ploughing match association for the final—the Rakaia Ploughing Match Association—is one of the strongest in the country. Among the notable ploughmen it has produced has been its present president, Mr H. Alan Magson, who in 1961 was less than four points behind the world champion to fill second place in the world final in France.

Ploughing has been part of the way of life of farmers in this district since the early years of settlement. Probably the first ploughing match in the Rakaia district was held near Rakaia in 1874 and another match was held only a mile from Chertsey in 1878. Ploughing will not be the only item of interest on the programme for Saturday’s

match. In addition to the championship ploughing there will be two special ploughing demonstrations, and as well there will be a Silver Plough Queen contest, a mannequin parade, wood chopping and a demonstration by an old threshing mill.