Competitive Plowing with the Reversible Plow
Like all agricultural practices, the science and art of plowing has
continued to evolved and changed in order to meet new
understandings of soil conservation, cropping techniques, climate
change and farming economics. Reversible plows, where all
furrows are turned the same direction, are replacing conventional
plows in many countries. Reversible plows produce: a level seed
bed with no high crowns or trench finishes; erosion resistant
contour plowing; and efficient plowing of irregular shaped fields
while minimizing non-production driving time.
Competitive plowing now includes competitions for reversible plows. For those familiar with a
conventional plowing match a reversible competition introduces a new look and a number of new
procedures and techniques. The next four pages attempted to explain competitive plowing with a
reversible plow.
The association or organization sponsoring
the plowing match will have the field
prepared, with headland scratches and
numbered stakes. Each land or plot will have
the same number at each end.
Competitors land number will be assigned
by the association.
Since reversible plows must cast off to the left, plowing must start
from the end of land where higher land numbers are to the left.
Where time rules are applied three hours is allowed for completion
of entire plot, including twenty minutes for the opening furrow.
Three sighting poles only may be used. One pole may be sighted
on the headland of the plot and the pole at the starting headland
may be reset on the land before plow commences.
Opening Furrow
The opening furrow is plowed at the position of the plot
number stake. A single shallow furrow is plowed with the
rear right bottom of plow. A uniform furrow slice shall be
turned, well cut so that no land is left uncut. Twenty
minutes are allowed for plowing the opening furrow and
then time is paused while the judging of opening furrow is
completed.
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Scratch Furrow for Butts
A scratch mark, parallel to the opening
furrow, shall be plowed on the cast off side of
opening furrow so that 19 or 20 furrows for
two furrow plows or 20 or 21 furrows for
three furrow plows will remain to be plowed
from butts to the opening furrow(first crown
furrow). This scratch is to be plowed while
judging of open furrows is taking place.
Note: If there is no competitor plowing the next higher land number, a cast off furrow(s) shall be plowed while judging of
open furrows is taking place. This cast off location should approximate where the competitor (if there had been one)
would have finished their crown. No extra time is allowed for this additional activity.
Crown
The Crown will
consist of 8 furrow for
a two furrow plow or 9
furrows for a 3 furrow
plow.
The first two furrows
(2 furrow plow) or three furrows (3 furrow plow) of the crown must be plowed with the left hand
bottoms traveling in the same direction as the opening furrow.
Cast-off and Butt Furrows
After completing the crown
furrows the competitor then begins
to plow (castoff) against the
neighbour with the next higher plot
number.
All land between the next
competitors plot and scratch mark
must be plowed, thus completing
the butts.
Finish
The finish consists of all the
furrows between the butts and
the opening furrow. The first
furrow plowed against the butts
is called the connecting furrow.
The competitor then plows to
the cut of the opening furrow
(first crown furrow).
Sighting poles are not allowed when plowing the connecting furrow.
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All plow bottoms must be used while
plowing the finish except in plowing
the connecting furrow. One furrow (2
furrow plows) or 2 furrows (3 furrow
plows) may be used when plowing the
connecting furrow but all bottoms must
be in plowing position.
The finishing furrows shall be the 19 or
20 furrows (2 furrow plows), or 20 or
21 furrows (3 furrow plows) remaining
between the butts and the cut of the opening furrow.
The final furrow should be cut on the same mark as the opening
furrow. There should be no land left unplowed and no part of the
first furrow of the crown should be re-plowed. The final furrow
and the first furrow should be the same height.
One wheel mark is allowed at the finish. A plow wheel mark must
be on the tractor wheel mark.
Other Notes
All plowing must start and end at headland scratch marks. All land inside scratch marks must be
plowed and no land outside should be plowed.
Alternate bottoms must be used on each pass for complete land.
No idle runs are permitted when plowing with a reversible plow.
A Reversible Plow Competition
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Reversible Plow Scorecard
FINAL FURROWS -- Connecting furrow to last furrow
OPENING FURROW -- One pass before judging
Straightness
• Cut line and furrow straight
10
Straightness
• All furrows straight
10
Cut & Uniformity
• All grass/stubble cut cleanly,
• Furrows uniform in shape, size and appearance
10
Neatness & Weed Control
• All grass, stubble & trash completely buried
• Neat with no loose soil in bottom of last furrow
• One tire track
10
Conformity & Uniformity
• All furrows conform (match one another) as to
shape, size & appearnace
• Each furrow uniform in, shape, size and
appearance from one end of plot to the other
• Last furrow same height as crown furrows
10
Unplowed or Re-plowed Land
• Last furrow cut line shall track in opening furrow
cut line - no unplowed or re-plowed soil
10
20
CROWN - 8 furrows/4 passes
Straightness
• All furrows straight
10
Conformity & Uniformity
• First furrow cut edge turned to original opening
furrow cut line
• All furrows conform (match one another) as to
shape, size & appearance
• Each furrow uniform in shape, size & appearance
from one end of plot to the other
• No wheel marks
10
10
40
GENERAL APPEARANCE -- All Plowing
20
GENERAL WORK– Neighbour’s Crown to Butts
Straightness
• All furrows straight
10
10
Burying Grass & Stubble
• All grass, stubble & trash completely buried
10
Closeness (no holes)
• All furrows tightly closed and packed with no
openings (holes)
• No wheel marks
10
Conformity
• All furrows from crown to finish same size,
shape and appearance
• Includes crown & finish
10
Firmness
• Furrows firm and do not collapse
10
Uniformity & Shape of Furrow
• Each furrow of same size, shape and appearance
from one end of plot to the other
• Furrows well turned over but not flat
Soil Availability
• Sufficient soil to produce optimum seed bed with
minimum of secondary tillage
• Plowed to sufficient depth
• Uneven furrows, grass, stubble or trash showing
will decrease soil available
10
Distinctness of Furrow
• Each furrow must be distinct
10
Shape of Land
• Complete land neat and has pleasing appearance
• Proper relationship of crown to body of land to
finish (level)
10
Ins & Outs
• All land inside scratch must be plowed and no
land outside scratch to be plowed
• Front share should enter ground at the scratch
mark and rear share should leave ground at
scratch mark
• Neat and clean
• No tractor wheel marks inside scratch
10
40
BUTTS & CONNECTING FURROW
Butts
• All sod/stubble cut and turned
• conform with no dips or mounds
• No wheel marks
10
Connecting Furrow
• Furrow visible and uniform full length of plot
• Conforms to neighbouring furrows
• Connects to butts with no gaps or re-plowed soil
• No wheel marks
10
60
TOTAL
200
Penalties
20
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