Otago man uses a plough from past generations

Tom Fowler, of Mosgiel, uses a 262 plough, manufactured by his great-uncle about 160 years ago, at the Otago-Southland regional ploughing competition in Mosgiel yesterday. Photo / Gregor Richardson.

Tom Fowler was in touch with his family history yesterday.

Mr Fowler (82), of Mosgiel, used a plough made in the 1800s by his great-uncle James Fowler's Mosgiel company to compete in the vintage category of the Otago-Southland regional ploughing competition in Mosgiel.

Patience was needed when using the double-farrow plough on the overgrown barley field, he said.

''It's a hard day for old things like me and the plough.''

The Fowler family had ploughed the Taieri since arriving in Dunedin on Three Bells in 1858, and Mr Fowler began ploughing when he was 10.

''I can remember the first paddock I ploughed was in Winton.''

He started competing in competitions about seven years ago after a friend helped him acquire the original Fowler plough.

It had since been used in about five national ploughing competitions, he said.

Despite his age, and that of the plough, he had no plans to stop competing.

''If I dropped dead in the paddock, it wouldn't be too bad,'' he said, laughing.

Mr Fowler's team-mate, Ray McKenzie, of Winton, said James Fowler would be pleased the plough was still being used.

''The old fella would be grinning in his grave.

''It's a family heirloom.''

About 20 teams competed in the vintage, classic, conventional and reversible matches.
Otago-Southland regional ploughing president Murray Grainger said eight people judged the event, held at an Inglis St property.

Ploughing the perfect plot involved ''quite a bit of skill''.

''It is all a bit of fun at the end of the day, though.

''You don't make money doing it; it costs you money.''

It was not known what would be sown on the ploughed paddock.

margot.taylor@odt.co.nz