Essex County Plowing Match attracts most spectators than it has in years

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative  

With competitors firmly focused on straightness and uniformity in creating furrows, and burying straw stubble well, they all vied for a top ranking in Essex County Plowmen's Association hosted annual Plowing Match Competition and Farm Equipment Show on Saturday.

  The annual event not only brings farmers from the area and across Southwestern Ontario together to compete, and hopefully earn enough points to get an invite to showcase their skills at the International Plowing Match in the fall, it offers a family funday members of the community can check out and enjoy.

  This year’s local match took place at Reaume Farms in Comber, which provided the participating plowmen a plot of land to work. Once plowed, judges assessed the workmanship to determine who did it the best in each category, designed to incorporate small to large plows, and antique tractors.

  One category was offered to test and encourage youths interested in the ag industry.   

  The Essex County-based match-up is one of a series of competitions set-up all over Ontario, where participants can compete to try to qualify for the International Plowing Match, which will take place in the Niagara Region this September.

  Danielle Gagnon of Kingsville was proud to wear the 2025 Essex County Queen of the Furrow sash she won last year on the competition site. This is a leadership program for young women ages 18-25. They are judged on their plowing abilities, knowledge of the agricultural industry, on a speech they prepare for the banquet, and an interview with a panel of judges.

  Gagnon won last year’s competition, and later that night was crowned the winner for the 2026 term, as well. She focused the topic of her speech on housing development and how much farmland is lost in Ontario every year.

  She has been involved in the farming industry since she was five. She got involved with a farm through her older sisters, who were helping to care for the horses. She said she has been driving a tractor for years. 

Last year’s appearance at the Essex County Plowing Match was her first, and she was looking forward to competing again this year.

  As part of her 2025 win, she is headed to the International Plowing Match in September, where she will compete amongst other title holders from other regions.  

She is excited and nervous to compete at the next level, but is looking forward to the opportunity.

  “I think it’ll be a good experience,” she said.

“It was a perfect day,” Murray McLeod, Secretary/Treasurer of the Essex County Plowmen's Association, said. “We had probably one of the highest attendance of people coming out to watch the plowing in a while.”

He spoke of how the event offered a class on lawn tractors for youngsters in the Kids’ Zone, which ended-up being a big hit. McLeod heard over 50 youths got involved. Typically, around 30 participate. He was pleased to see the interest.

  Families were able to tour the competition site aboard a wagon, and grab a bite to eat from the Rotary Club of Essex’s food booth.

  In addition, agricultural displays and demos were hosted onsite

  Competition on the site this year went well, McLeod added. One competitor was planning to compete at the Ploughing Championship to take place in the Czech Republic, another was preparing to compete in the United States competition in Ohio. This heightened the level of competition on Saturday.

  “We had some really good plowers from out of County who came down this year,” he said. “The plowing was good, because the moisture in the ground was good.”

  In addition to being a place to compete, the Essex County Plowing Match continues to be a mainstay for local farmers to connect and pass along tricks of the trade.

  That comradery extends to the banquet that is held later in the evening, where competitors share a meal with their families, and awards for top placings earned during the match are presented. This year’s banquet was held at neighbouring Visitation Church. In addition to recognizing plowing accomplishments, sponsors were recognized and the Essex County Plowmen’s Association presented scholarships to three deserving students.

  Every year, the Essex County Plowmen’s Association selects a new farm as the host site, spreading it around the region.

  “We are always looking for a host,” McLeod said, noting those interested in hosting the competition next year should connect with the board.