The 2023 Hastings County Plowing Match is underway.
Early morning crowds form around presenter and vendor tents at the Plowing Match. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele, Quinte News
The two day event, running Wednesday and Thursday, is being held at Todd & Matt Milligan’s (Milligan Farms INC) farm at 1351 Deseronto Rd, Marysville.
It features a farm show with vendors, live music, food, and the annual plowing competition.
A trio of cows on display rest under a shade tent to keep the sun off. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele, Quinte News
Event organizer Clare Dracup said they had great guest turnout for this year’s event, the second held after the lifting of COVID restrictions.
Shiny new farm equipment was put on display by vendors, showcasing their wares to the farming community. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele, Quinte News
“It looks very good. It looks like we’ve got as many here maybe as we had last year and we’ve got twice as many vendors,” said Dracup. “We got it right around 70 vendors this year. So yeah, things are on the upswing.”
Agricultural businesses weren’t the only presenters, Quinte and Lower Trent conservation both setup tents. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele, Quinte News
Guests continued to arrive throughout the morning, forming larger and larger crowds as the day went on.
Crowds kept pouring in as the morning went on, filling the presenter area. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele, Quinte News
During the plowing competition local farmers get their hands dirty proving who can plow the best field. Participants are judged on several criteria including how straight the plow lines are, their depth, how evenly they’re spaced, and more.
Terry Linton, with his brown horse Charlie and white horse Bruce, carve a path with their plow through the field. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele, Quinte News
Terry Philips rides on his plow as his pair of horses, Cody and Luke, drag the plow blades through the soil and roots below. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele, Quinte News
Participants of all ages used several methods to plow their segment of field, from teams of horses or mules to various types of tractor.
Eden Kempers, age 11, plows part of the field in her first appearance in the competition. Her mother, Melissa Kempers, follows closely behind as she works. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele, Quinte News
The show and competition continues Thursday, and features the Queen of the Furrow and Princess of the Furrow competitions. Gates open at 9am.
Kim Hadwin works with his pair of mules Dolly and Loretta, both from Tennessee, to carve a path through his section of the field. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele, Quinte News
