Last weekend was Manitoba's provincial plowing championship near Boissevain. Competitors from across the province came to Plowing Days to compete in junior, novice, and seniors divisions, with both horse and tractor categories.
The Manitoba Plowing Association holds the event every year to preserve the skill and knowledge required when turning the land with a plow. Andrew Boundy, one of the judges, says traditional plowing can act in place of modern seeders, cultivators, and sprayers.
"Since time began, I mean, people plowed with wooden plows and ox. It's the only proper way to turn the soil to bury the trash on the top, and you leave the seed bed as well. It really does it all," he says.
Winners from this provincial match will go to B.C. next year to represent Manitoba at the Canadian Ploughing Championships, which last year, was won by an Alberta man. Boundy says plowing is most popular in Ontario, B.C., and New Brunswick, but interest is growing in Manitoba.
Source : PortageOnline