The Northumberland County Plowing Match was held on Saturday, October 11, 2025.
The annual event was held at the farm of Alan Carruthers in Alnwick/Haldimand Township just north of County Road 2 west of Grafton.
Carruthers who is a Advisory Councillor for Northumberland County Plowman’s Association and also a member of the Ontario Plowman’s Association and branch judge said the event brings in farmers from around the area for the competition.
With a rainy Saturday morning the numbers were down for the event, but families young and not so young came out to see the horse teams and antique tractors.
Carruthers said with technology improving farming, the art of plowing seems to be fading.
“The art of competitive plowing is kind of a competition between neighbours.”
Approximately 150 years ago competitive plowing matches took place.
“It gave the host farmer a chance to have tillage done free of change if they had a competition.”
Although the event still happens, it doesn’t have the intensity it used to have.
Bob Tinney was a competitor in the first world plowing match took place in Cobourg in 1953 and he was also taking part in the Northumberland County Plowing Match on Saturday.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
