GALLERY - 2026 Tasmanian and National Ploughing Championships

Some of the best ploughers in Australia converged at Mayfield Estate near Little Swanport for the national titles.

The National Ploughing Championships took place on July 3 and 4, with the state titles taking place at the same location over the two previous days.

Daniel Gladwell won the conventional section of the Tasmanian Ploughing Championship, while Darryl Berne beat his brother in the vintage category.

At the national championships, Scott Loughridge won the conventional section, Chris Williams took out the reversible section, and Darryl Berne was victorious in the vintage section.

Mayfield Estate also hosted last year’s Tasmanian Ploughing Championships.

“We ploughed in the paddock next door last year, but it was chalk and cheese compared with this year,” Tasmanian Ploughing Association President Rob Bayles said.

“Last year it was that hard you couldn’t get the plough in the ground.

“But this year tractors are getting bogged trying to turn around.”

Mr Bayles said he would like to see more younger people take up competitive ploughing, as he believed there was a shortage of them.

“Everything has got too big, and there aren’t too many people using two-furrow ploughers anymore.

“But once you learn the art of a two-furrow plough, you can use a ten-furrow plough – it’s all about getting it set right.

“Ploughing is not a sport that’s a waste of time.

“You often see people and think ‘if they had a bit of practice they’d do a miles better job with an ordinary farm plougher.”

The winners of the categories at the National Ploughing Championships now have the opportunity to compete in the 2027 world titles, which will be held in Kenya.