Tassie success at National Ploughing Championships

Tasmania’s ploughing masters have successfully contested the 2025 National Ploughing Championships held at a property in Richmond, NSW, on May 9 and 10.

A team of seven travelled interstate with their tractors, with the best performer being Cressy’s Rob Bayles who finished in fourth place.

Daniel Gladwell was 6th, Colin Berne 8th, Neil Berne 9th, Doc Perry 10th, Darryl Berne 12th and Samantha Berne, the only female, 14th out of 15 contestants from around the country in the conventional ploughing.

The reversible ploughing competition was not held due to lack of entries.

Adrian Tilling from Victoria took out the top spot with fellow Victorians in second and third place.

For Rob, who has been to 32 national competitions since 1991, second place has been his best achievement so far and he’s been a regular placegetter in the top five.

“The conditions were a big challenging on the first day and the grass was long but all up it was an excellent venue and we had a great time,” Rob said.

“This is the third time we’ve taken our own tractors across – that alone is a big investment of around $10,000 in transport costs – so it was good to know that we held our ground with them, we did a pretty good job under the circumstances.

“This was the best I’ve done for a while and like all the Tasmanians we’ll be looking to put in an even bigger effort when the nationals are held on home soil at Mayfield on the east coast next year.”

Rob ploughed with his 2030 John Deere, a tractor that have proved a handy all-rounder, shifting irrigators and post hole digging on his Mt Joy property.

Neil Berne was thrilled to win the highly sought-after Gordon and Marilyn McGee Trophy which includes an exchange trip to New Zealand in 2027 to take part in their ploughing competitions. 

Ploughing enthusiasts will be out in force again next weekend (May 23 and 24) at the site of next year’s nationals, Mayfield Estate at Little Swanport, for the Tasmanian State Championships.