Shropshire farmer Stuart Vickers won the young farmer category at the British Ploughing Championships. The event was held on the Chatsworth Estate on the weekend of October 8th and 9th, and sponsored by us, with hundreds of ploughmen and women taking part.
The event was the 12th national championship for Mr Vickers, who at 27 will no longer be classified as a young farmer in 2023. Reflecting on the event and the win he said:
“I was really pleased to go through to the final on the Sunday and to come out on top as best young farmer on the Saturday. I inherited a love of ploughing from my father, Nigel, who has always been very supportive of me competing, so it’s nice to do well.”
Mr Vickers competes in the world style conventional class, a class that he has had great success in on numerous occasions. He is now readying himself to compete at the 5 Nations Ploughing Challenge in Scotland later this year.
"I also appreciate the efforts of the Society of Ploughmen and sponsors like Continental for helping make these competitions happen."
Stuart Vickers, Winner of the 'Young Farmers' Category, Shropshire
“I will be competing in the world style conventional class representing England. I enjoy the travel and the comradery of ploughing matches. I also appreciate the efforts of the Society of Ploughmen and sponsors like Continental for helping make these competitions happen,” he said.
He ploughs with a Ford 5030 which he sees as a good and affordable match tractor.
“It is not too big and with 80 horsepower has just what I need to keep a steady line. It has also been a reliable machine which is important for all the events I do through the year,” he said.
When he is not ploughing Mr Vickers is an integral part of the family farming business producing a straw based equine bedding which is retailed all through wales and across the North West. The family also farms 40 acres to bale equine quality hay which is sold locally.