Competitive plowing has a certain pull to it

Many at IPM 2025 have been doing it for a long time

The fields around the West Niagara Fairgrounds were hubs of activity last month as young and old alike competed in the various classes at the International Plowing Match. ~ Luke Edwards photos

By Luke Edwards

The story of how Keith Robinson got into competitive plowing is a common one. What made his story unique as plowmen came to Niagara for the International Plowing Match last month was not the how, but the when.

“My dad took me to the local plowing match in 1949,” the Cookstown man said.

The following year Robinson got a two-furrow plow of his own and competed in his first IPM.

With more than three quarters of a century experience in competitive plowing, the sport has taken Robinson all over the world. He was a five-time Ontario champion, went to the Canadian championships four times and even wore the maple leaf, representing Canada at the 1989 worlds in Norway.

The longtime dairy producer passed the farm onto his son, who has since converted the operation to beef. However, the farm wasn’t the only thing he passed onto his kids. His four children plowed competitively at one time or another, with three still carrying on the hobby. He also has a grandson who competes.

While he doesn’t quite have the longevity of Robinson, Don Brodhaecker’s been involved with competitive plowing for a long time himself. The Cambridge man started in 1958, winning a junior championship in 1963. And like Robinson, his three boys - Mark, Tim and Shaun - followed in his footsteps.

“They’ve all been junior champions,” Brodhaecker said proudly. His grandson Austin Jr. also plows now.

Mark also went to two world championships, in Croatia and Lithuania.

They raise dairy on their Cambridge farm.

“Some show cattle, but we like working in the fields,” Brodhaecker said about the family hobby.

About 30 years ago Brodhaecker began judging plowing matches. The job means he must keep a close eye on things.

“It’s an art,” he said of plowing.

While the ground was tough in Niagara, the weather cooperated, with five days for clear skies. Brodhaecker said he’s been to matches where the rain clouds turned the fields into small lakes.

“But the show still goes on,” he said.

That variability is a lesson Daryl Hostrawser has also learned and put to good use.

“It’s never the same,” he said. “You’ve just got to cope with what you’re given.”

A third-generation plowman, Hostrawser had just returned from competing at the world’s in Prague, Czech Republic, where he placed 11th in the reversible plow class.

“It was great. Great facilities, great people. The weather was almost good. Extremely dry when we got there, but then the rains came and softened the ground and made things 90 per cent better for plowing,” he said.

Like the others, Hostrawser followed his dad and grandfather into the hobby. His dad competed in the worlds in 1964, and around the same time bought a plow for the young Hostrawser.

“I started chasing him around the fields with that plow,” he said.

Every fall Robinson said local plowing groups put the call out for younger people to take up the sport and keep it alive. As for himself, Robinson plans to be back in the fields next year.

“If I’m still around,” he said.