1. Official entries
a. Competitors
The World Ploughing Contests are open to all plough persons from all
affiliated countries or regions of the World. From each country (or region
as designated by the WPO) there may be entered by the acknowledged authority
for the promotion of ploughing competitions on a nation-wide scale in each
respective country or region not more than two competitors who must be
recognized as having qualified in a nation-wide championship contest in
accordance with their rules of qualification. There is no age limit The
acknowledged authority in each country or region must satisfy the WPO as to
its qualifications and status.
b. Judges
Each
affiliated country or region may nominate a Judge and a Reserve Judge
who should be experienced, proficient and able to accompany the plough
persons to act as their coach. Should the nominated Judge be unable to
officiate then the reserve Judge shall be the Judge from that country.
No Judge shall officiate on the plots of competitors from their own
country. If any Judges are not appointed to the panel of judges, they
will be appointed to other official duties for the Contest.
All judges are required to attend all pre-contest briefing meetings. Any
nominated judge who fails to attend any briefing meeting will not be
appointed to officiate in the contest.
c. Entries
The names of competitors and the make of
tractors and ploughs to be used in the World Ploughing Contest should be
sent to the WPO General Secretary on the Official entry form after each
National qualifying competition and in any event not later than the
stated closing date, stating which contest (Conventional or Reversible)
each competitor wishes to enter.
d. Equipment
The names of the makes of tractor and
plough to be used by each competitor must be stated on the entry form.
No changing to any other make of tractor and plough is allowed after the
entry has been made, except under special circumstances and with the
permission of the WPO General Secretary.
e. Pledge
Competitors and Coaches will be accorded
the hospitality of the host organisation of the World Ploughing Contest
which may include a program of functions, educational visits and sight
seeing tours.
All participants are required to participate in the Official programme
and must not leave without the permission of the WPO General Secretary
and the host organisation.
2. Ploughs
a. Number of mould boards
The World Ploughing Contest will be
limited to tractor 2- furrow or 3-furrow mould board ploughs until
further notice. The ploughs shall be either Conventional or Reversible
models fitted with a maximum of one coulter, one skimmer and one share
per body. Tailpieces are optional. For Reversible there is an exception:
when ploughing the crown
one extra disc, coulter or
skimmer is allowed.
b. Tailpieces
The
size of any tailpiece must not exceed 26 cm in length and 22 cm in
width. The total distance from the end of the mould board to the end of
the tailpiece, including brackets, must not exceed 32 cm. The concave or
convex of the tailpiece must not be greater than a ratio of 1 cm to each
15 cm of width. See also the
Sketch of approved tailpiece.
c. Skimmer tailpiece
Tailpieces may be used on skimmers and can be adjustable or fixed.
d. GPS and other devices
GPS,
laser beams, camera’s, electronic visual aids, etc. are not allowed to be used.
e. Extraneous attachments
Extraneous attachments that manipulate
the furrows or scratches are not allowed.
Any extensions at the end of the mould board must be permanent. Additions to
the bottom of the mould board are allowed. : The tailpiece is an extension
of the mould board and cannot be positioned in an angle to the mould board.
f .
Markers
Markers
and attachments on the tractor are not allowed. Marks on the land other than
scratch marks are not allowed.
g. Plough Wheels
Anything rotating other than a disc
coulter is a wheel.
A maximum of 3 plough wheels are permitted per side of the plough.
Any other device having the
same function as a wheel will be counted as a wheel.
3. Type of Land
Each competitor will be required to plough one plot of stubble land and one plot
of grassland. The ploughing is to take place on two successive days.
4. Size of Plots
a. Conventional ploughing
The plots will measure 100 metres long and 20 metres wide.
See also the Plan of conventional ploughing
plots. See also the
Plan
of Conventional Ploughing Plots.
b. Reversible ploughing
The plots
will measure 100 metres long, 24 metres wide at one end and 16 metres wide
at the other end. See also the Plan of Reversible
Ploughing Plots.
c. Headlands
Headlands need to be at least 12 metres wide.
d. Other sizes
Should the size of plot have to be changed - all competitors will be notified.
5. Time for ploughing
a. Opening split/opening furrow
The time allowed to complete the opening split/opening furrow is 20 minutes.
b. Break
After the completion of the opening
split/opening furrow, all ploughing will stop for a minimum of 60
minutes whilst the opening splits/opening furrows are being judged.
Reversible competitors must make their scratch mark for the butts whilst
the opening furrow is being judged.
c. Ploughing the plot
The time allowed for the completion of
the ploughing of the whole plot is 2 hours and 40 minutes, making a
total of 3 hours.
d. Extra time
Extra time may be requested in case of a
mechanical breakdown or a situation beyond the control of the competitor
or the World Ploughing Organisation, or when a competitor must wait for
his neighbour before commencing the cast-off. In these circumstances,
the competitor must contact his plot steward and through him receive the
decision of the Head Stewards.
In the event of a mechanical breakdown, where a competitor must leave
the ploughing field to do the repairs, a WPO Board Member shall
accompany the competitor to ensure only the necessary repairs are
carried out and not other changes to the plough.
The maximum time allowed for any repair, regardless of the severity of
the breakdown, shall be one hour each day. However the actual amount of
time allowed may be less and is at the discretion of the Head Stewards
Team.
When a breakdown occurs before the competitor has commenced to cast off,
the neighbouring competitor may be permitted by the Head Stewards to set
sighting poles and commence casting off after a period of twenty
minutes.
6. Furrow size
a. Minimum and maximum depth
The host organisation shall recommend a minimum and a maximum depth to
the Governing Board at least two years prior to any World Ploughing Contest.
b. Depth range
The depth range shall be not less than 4 cm.
c. Depth changes
The depth or depth range will either be confirmed or altered
by the Head Stewards after reviewing soil conditions and with full consultation
with the host organisation.
7. Infringements
a. General
Any competitor committing any of the following infringements will be notified
with a yellow card and may be penalized by the Head Stewards. Any
subsequent infringement by the competitor will be penalized.
b. Infringements that incur penalties are:
-
Shaping of furrows by hand or by hand held instrument or by treading or any other manipulation.
-
Rolling the plot, opening scratches, the butts or ins and outs, with the tractor wheels except in the normal course of ploughing.
-
Use of extraneous attachments that manipulate the furrows or scratches.
-
Removing a plough body.
-
Use of GPS, laser beams, camera’s, electronic visual aids, etc.
-
Removing shares, skimmers or coulters whilst ploughing.
-
(Skimmers may be removed for the opening split and finish only and shares may be removed for the opening only.)
-
Using more than three sighting poles.
-
Using more than three plough wheels.
-
Incorrect positioning of sighting poles.
-
Receiving assistance by signal, radio contact, mobile phone or any other method.
-
Unauthorized practice ploughing.
-
Abuse or offence of any Official during the official period of the World Ploughing Contest, from arrival until departure.
-
Treading of furrows - Competitors must dismount from the tractor on to the unploughed land-side of the tractor when possible.
-
When 2 tractor wheel marks are showing or a plough wheel mark is showing (not being within a tractor wheel mark)
c. Penalty points
Penalties will be from 1 to 20 points for each infringement.
d. Repeated infringements
Repeated infringements of the rules and regulations could lead to
disqualification by the Head Stewards.
e. Infringements that occur penalties are
-
Overtime for opening - 1 point deducted for each minute or part minute.
-
Overtime for the plot - 5 points deducted for each minute or part minute.
-
Conventional Ploughing - 10 points deducted if the finish is laid the wrong way.
-
Reversible Ploughing - 10 points deducted if there are an incorrect number of furrows in the finish.
-
Reversible Ploughing – 10 points deducted in case of an idle run.
All
these and any other infringements of the rules will be assessed by the
Head Stewards.All penalties will be formally imposed by the Head
Stewards in Committee at the end of each day of the Contest.
8. Start and finish signals
When the Red, Yellow and Green light signaling system is used, the sequence
of the lights will be:
RED............................................... STOP
FLASHING YELLOW with RED....... GET READY (5 minutes)
GREEN.......................................... START OPENING (20 minutes)
GREEN WITH FLASHING YELLOW. 5 MINUTES TO STOP (5 minutes)
RED............................................... STOP (60 minutes)
FLASHING YELLOW with RED....... GET READY (5 minutes)
GREEN.......................................... START PLOUGHING (2
hours and 40 minutes)
GREEN WITH FLASHING YELLOW. 5 MINUTES TO STOP (5 minutes)
RED............................................... STOP (End of contest)
9. Official ploughing practice
a. Provision of land
Competitors
will be provided with land to practice on the days in the official
programme designated for practice prior to the contest. Each competitor
will be allocated practice land and no other practice will be allowed
during the official program.
b. Practice and national contest
Competitors from the host country will
be allowed to plough in their own National competition if the
competition is held on the official practice days.
c. Supervision
All practicing will be under the supervision of the Head Stewards and any
competitor breaking the practice rules will be penalized.
10. Parade of competitors
All practicing will be under the
supervision of the Head Stewards and any competitor breaking the
practice rules, or abusing any official will be penalized.
11. Supervision
These rules will be strictly enforced and competitors must abide by them under
the supervision of the Plot Stewards and Head Stewards.
12. Depth measurements
a. Specified depth
-
Conventional - The specified depth must be achieved by the sixth furrow and adhered to until the last six furrows.
-
Reversible - The specified depth must be achieved by the sixth furrow and adhered to until the last six furrows.
b. Number of measurements
-
Conventional - The depth will be measured nine times in three sets of three measurements on each competitors plot. The first set will be taken on or after the sixth furrow. The second set will be taken in the middle of the plot. The last set of three measurements must be taken before the last six furrows are ploughed.
-
Reversible - The depth will be measured twelve times in four sets of three measurements on each competitors plot. The first set will be taken on or after the sixth furrow. The second set will be taken on or after the sixth furrow ploughed against the neighbouring plot. The third set will be taken on or after the sixth furrow into the butts. The final set will be taken on or after the fourth furrow into the finish and before the last four furrows of the finish.
c. Where to measure
Measuring places will be selected at random in any furrow as specified and
three measurements taken in the same furrow at a minimum of 15 metres
apart. No measurement will be taken in the first 2 metres from the scratch mark.
d. Average
Depth is judged on the average of each set of measurements.
e. Notify competitor
Should the first set of measurements not be the required depth, then the
measuring team will notify the competitor that the ploughing is not the required
minimum or maximum depth.
f. Penalties
1 point will be deducted
for each 0.50 cm or part thereof when the ploughing is up to 2.50 cm
shallower than the minimum or deeper than the maximum depth required, for
each set of measurements.
10 point will be deducted when the ploughing is more than 2.50 cm
shallower than the minimum or deeper than the maximum depth required, for
each set of measurements.
13. Final decision
Any question arising and not provided for in these rules will be decided by the
Governing Board of the World Ploughing Organization whose decision shall be
final and binding.
1. Sighting and setting out
a. Sighting poles
Three sighting poles only may be used. One pole may be sighted on the headland of the plot. They may only be used at the opening split.
b. Other markers
The use of plot number markers, guide lines, foot-marks, stones or any guide other than the three sighting poles is not allowed
c. Assistance
Competitors can have assistance to place and remove the sighting poles. No other assistance allowed during the contest.
d. Only official attributes
Only official sighting poles, supplied by the host organisation shall be used.
2. Opening split
a. Opening split
In conventional ploughing competitors must make an opening split at the setting out.
b. Scratches
The Scratches shall be turned out leaving no land in the centre of the opening that has not been moved.
c. Time
Time allowed for completion of opening split - 20 minutes.
d. Penalties
Failure to complete the opening split in permitted time will be penalized. Penalty will be 1 point per minute or part of a minute for the extra time taken.
3. Method of ploughing
a. Two furrow ploughs
After competing 4 rounds which shall constitute the crown, the competitor then commences to throw out to the plot with the next neighbour. It is allowed to have 7 or 8 furrows showing on each side of the crown.
b. Three furrow ploughs
After completing 3 rounds which shall constitute the crown, the competitor then commences to throw out to the plot with the next neighbour. It is allowed to have 8 or 9 furrows showing on each side of the crown.
c. Straightening furrows
The first and second runs next to the neighbour plot will be allowed as straightening furrows and will not be judged. . However, all furrows in the first two runs must be fully turned with all grass and trash completely buried, otherwise these two runs will be considered faulty and judged accordingly. The neighbours ploughing must not be run on or damaged, except in extreme circumstances and only then with the approval of the Head Stewards.
d. Finish
The Finish comprises the last 12 furrows. (i.e. 6 furrows on the throw out side of the finish and 5 furrows and the sole furrow on the crown side).
e. Final furrow
The sole furrow (final furrow) must be turned towards the competitors crown.
f. Wheel marks
Only one wheel mark is allowed at the finish. Any other wheel marks on the plot is a fault and will be judged accordingly. One plough wheel mark may be visible and it must be within the tractor wheel mark.
g. Idle runs
Idle runs to the opposite end are allowed but must be made on the headland and not across the plot.
4. Final decision
Any question arising and not provided for in these rules will be decided by the Governing Board of the World Ploughing Organization whose decision shall be final and binding.
| 1. | Opening Split: Completeness of cutting through the sod throughout the whole length and width of the split. Uniformity and Neatness. | 10 points |
| 2. | Crown: No stubble, grass or weed (trash). Furrow slices close. No wheel marks. | 10 points |
| 3. | Crown: Uniform furrow slices. No high ridge. Soil made available. | 10 points |
| 4. | General work: (Weed control) No stubble, grass or weed (trash) Skimmers must be used. | 10 points |
| 5. | General work: (Weed control) Furrow slices close and firm. No holes. No wheel marks. | 10 points |
| 6. | General work: (Seed bed) Soil made available for seed bed. | 10 points |
| 7. | General work: (Seed bed) Uniformity and conformity of furrow slices. | 10 points |
| 8. | Ins and outs: Neatness and regularity. No wheel marks. | 10 points |
| 9. | Finish: Neatness and weed control. | 10 points |
| 10. | Finish: Closeness and uniformity of finishing furrow slices. Narrowness and shallowness. Only one wheel mark allowed. | 10 points |
| 11. | Straightness: Measured four times: (i) Opening Furrow, (ii) Crown, (iii) General Work, (iv) Finish. | 20 points |
| 12. | General appearance: All aspects and workmanship. Clearly defined and uniform furrow slices. No pairing of furrows. | 10 points |
All the points awarded for straightness will be added and divided by 2.
Total maximum 130 points per day.
1. Sighting and setting out
a. Sighting poles
Three sighting poles only may be used. One pole may be sighted on the headland of the plot. They may only be used for the opening and for the scratch mark for the butts.
b. Other markers
The use of plot number markers, guide lines, foot-marks, stones or any guide other than the three sighting poles is not allowed.
c. Assistance
Competitors can have assistance to place and remove the sighting poles. No other assistance allowed during the contest.
d. Only official attributes
Only official sighting poles, supplied by the host organisation shall be used.
2. Opening furrow
a. Opening furrow
In reversible ploughing competitors must make a single opening furrow at the setting out.
b. Rear right body
The opening furrow is a single furrow ploughed from the start using the rear right-body.
c. Time
Time allowed for completion of opening furrow - 20 minutes.
d. Penalties
Failure to complete the opening split in permitted time will be penalized. Penalty will be 1 point per minute or part of a minute for the extra time taken.
3. Method of ploughing
a. Scratch mark for butts
This scratch mark must be made whilst the opening furrow is being judged. The scratch mark for the butts should be made parallel to the opening furrow to allow 19 or 20 furrows for two furrow ploughs or 20 or 21 furrows for three furrow ploughs from the opening furrow to the butts. Three sighting poles may be used for making the scratch mark. Assistance is allowed to place and remove the sighting poles. No handling or rolling of the scratch allowed. Either left or right hand bodies may be used for making the scratch mark.
b. Two furrow ploughs
Ploughing must commence using the left hand bodies and after completing eight furrows which shall constitute the Crown, the competitor then proceeds to plough against the next neighbour.
c. Three furrow ploughs
Ploughing must commence using the left hand bodies and after completing nine furrows which shall constitute the Crown, the competitor then proceeds to plough against the neighbour.
d. Crown
On completion of the crown the competitor then ploughs all the land between the next competitors plot and his scratch mark, thus completing the butts.
e. Using all bodies
All plough bodies must be in a
ploughing position at all times excluding ins and outs and butts.
Competitors must use all plough bodies when
ploughing the finishing furrows. It is allowed to use one plough body when
ploughing the connecting furrow.
Two furrow ploughs
The finishing furrows shall be the remaining 19 or 20 furrows between the butts
and the finishing furrow, including the connecting furrow. All competitors must
make 10 runs to conclude the finishing furrows. The connection furrow may be
ploughed showing one or two furrows but with all bodies in a working position.
No further single furrows across the whole field are permitted.
Three furrow ploughs
The finishing furrows shall be the remaining 20 or 21 furrows between the butts
and the finishing furrow, including the connecting furrow. All competitors must
make 7 runs to conclude the finishing furrows. The connection furrow may be
ploughed showing two or three furrows but with all bodies in a working position.
No further single furrows (two bodies in work) across the whole field are
permitted
f . Attachments
Attachments are not allowed when ploughing the connecting furrow.
g. Finish
The competitor
then starts at the scratch mark for the butts and ploughs to a finish at the cut
of opening furrow. Sighting poles are not allowed when ploughing the connecting
furrow at the scratch mark for the butts.
h. Final furrow
The final
furrow should be cut close to the opening furrow. There should be no land left
unploughed and no part of the first furrow of the start re-ploughed. The first
furrow and the final furrow should be the same height.
i. Wheel marks
Only one wheel mark is allowed at the finish.
Any other wheel marks on the plot is a fault and will be judged accordingly. One
plough wheel mark may be visible. It must be within the tractor wheel mark (two
furrow ploughs).
j. Alternate bodies
Alternate bodies must be used at all times when ploughing the plot.
k. Idle runs
Idle runs are not permitted. Penalty - 10 points per run.
4. Final decision
Any question arising and not provided for in these rules will be decided by the
Governing Board of the World Ploughing Organization whose decision shall be
final and binding.
| 1. | Opening furrow: Completeness of cutting through the sod throughout the whole length and width of the opening furrow. Uniformity and neatness. | 10 points |
| 2. | Crown: Cut through, uniformity and evenness - no wheel marks. | 10 points |
| 3 a. | Connecting furrow at butts: Completeness of cut through, no dips or mounds. | 10 points |
| 3 b. | Connecting furrow at butts: The connecting furrow should be visible the total length of plot, uniformity and evenness - no wheel marks. | 10 points |
| 4. | General work: (Weed control) No stubble, grass weed or trash. Skimmers must be used. | 10 points |
| 5. | General work: (Weed control) Furrow slices close and firm. No holes. No wheel marks. | 10 points |
| 6. | General work: (Seed bed) Soil made available for seed bed. | 10 points |
| 7. | General work: (Seed bed) Uniformity and conformity of furrow slices. | 10 points |
| 8. | Finish furrows: (The furrows from the butts to the final furrow) -weed control, uniformity and conformity of furrows. | 10 points |
| 9. | Final furrows: Final furrows: (Last two furrows adjoining the crown) - should be of equal height as the crown, no unploughed or re-ploughed land - weed control, uniformity and conformity of furrows. Only one wheel mark is allowed. The plough wheel mark must be within tractor wheel mark | 10 points |
| 10. | Ins and outs: Neatness and regularity and no wheel marks. | 10 points |
| 11. | Straightness: Measured four times: (i) Opening Furrow, (ii) Crown, (iii) General Work, (iv) Finish. | 20 points |
| 12. | General appearance: All aspects and workmanship. Clearly defined and uniform furrow slices. No pairing of furrows. | 10 points |
All the points awarded for straightness will be added and divided by 2.
Total maximum 140 points per day.
-
Opening split
(conventional
ploughing)
The depth of the scratches should be such that the furrow slices are cut completely free from the under-soil surface throughout the whole length of the opening split.
Each scratch should be straight, neat and uniform in width and depth throughout its whole length. The scratches need not conform in size with each other.
-
Opening furrow
(reversible ploughing)
The depth of the scratch should be such that the furrow slice is cut completely free from the under-soil surface throughout the whole length of the opening furrow.
The scratch should be straight, neat and uniform in its' whole length.
-
The Crown/Start
(conventional ploughing)
All land must be cut through. The first furrow of the crown should be turned into the opening and the cut edge at the furrow should be level with the cut edge of the opening. The furrows in the crown should conform to the rest of the ploughing. No wheel marks showing.
- The Crown/Start
(reversible ploughing)
All land must be cut through. No dips and mounds. Uniform and level with the rest of the ploughing. The first connecting furrow should be visible over the total length of the plot. No wheel marks showing.
-
Weed control
All stubble and grass must be completely buried beneath the furrows.
The ploughing should be done in such a way that all roots are cut or torn off.
Skimmers must be used. No wheel marks showing. -
Seed bed
Furrows should be properly turned so that sufficient soil is made available to produce a seed bed without pulling stubble or grass to the surface in future cultivations.
-
The Finish
(conventional ploughing)
The finish must be straight and parallel to the crown. The last furrows should be turned towards the competitor's own crown/start.
The finish should be no deeper than the rest of the ploughing and should be no wider than the normal furrow the plough leaves. Only one wheel mark showing. If there is a tractor wheel mark, the plough wheel mark must be within the tractor wheel mark. - The Finish (reversible ploughing)
The final furrows adjoining the crown/start should be of equal height to the crown and there should be no un-ploughed or re-ploughed land. Only one wheel mark showing. The plough wheel mark must be within the tractor wheel mark.
-
Ins and outs
The front share must enter the ground at the headland scratch mark and the rear share must leave the ground at the headland scratch mark. No wheel marks showing.
-
General Appearance
All furrows in the plot should be straight, clearly defined, uniform and well turned with good weed control.
Faulty ploughing done by the neighbouring competitor should be corrected in the first and second runs adjoining the neighbours plot. The tractor must not be driven on the ploughed land.
- Briefing of Competitors
A special meeting will be held at which competitors will be given further explanations of the Rules and procedure for the conduct of the contest and at which competitor's questions will be answered. (The date and time of this meeting is stated in the Itinerary as also is the date and time for the ceremony of drawing for plot numbers.)
Tailpiece: must not be in angle as shown in above picture
The prevention of all accidents, particularly those involving personal injury or damage to equipment and property is paramount.
In host countries where an official Safety Policy is operative, the WPO commits itself to the implementation and enforcement of the host country's policy statement.
Where no such declared safety policy exists, the Head Stewards will ensure that the following basic procedures are strictly enforced:
No passengers will be
allowed to ride on tractors or ploughs.
Tractors should preferably be fitted with safety cabs or roll-over bars.
Eye-protection goggles and gloves must be worn when using
cutting/sharpening/grinding machines.
Eye-protection shields and/or preferably welding booths should be used when
electrical welding, to minimize the risk of glare to all.
Electrical equipment should be properly fitted and installed. Particular care
should be taken to ensure that electrical extension cables are not run-over by
tractors and other vehicles.
The sharp edges of spare upstanding disc coulters must be guarded. These should
be taken to ensure that electrical extension cables are not run-over by tractors
and other vehicles.
All ploughs must have a support when a competitor is working underneath.
Extra tractor wheels not mounted on the tractor must be laid flat down on
headland.
The instructions of the
Marshalling Yard Supervisor and Parade Directors MUST BE OBEYED!
Ploughmen will be penalised if they
do not comply with safety rules during practice and contest days.
THE SAFETY CODE MUST BE OBEYED.
ACCIDENTS DON'T HAPPEN!
THEY ARE ALWAYS CAUSED!
Plot stewards will be appointed from the host country and from any other countries. Plot Stewards will wear armbands, or other identification.
Relatives of competitors in any competition, and representatives of manufacturers and interested firms are not eligible for appointment as Plot Stewards.
Any person accepting appointment as a Plot Stewards must make herself/himself conversant with the rules of the World Ploughing Contest and also attend the Instructions of Stewards' Meeting which will be arranged by the Head Stewards.
Each Plot Steward will supervise 3 or, if necessary, 4 plots from his/her own headland. The principal duty is to ensure that competitors are given no assistance by other persons and spectators and other persons are not allowed to interfere with competitors or trample their work.
Each Steward is required to continuously keep observation on the competitors under his/her supervision during the whole period of the Contest and no Plot Steward shall leave his/her allocated plots during the period of the Contest without first notifying the Head Steward.
Plot Stewards will ensure that competitors strictly observe the Rules and will report the details of any infringements to the Head Stewards with the minimum of delay. The Head Stewards will consider the reported infringement and, if the infringement is substantiated, notify the competitor with a yellow card.
Absolutely no assistance is allowed to any competitor other than to set and remove sighting poles. This rule must be strictly enforced, and any competitor who is so helped must at once be reported to the Head Stewards.
No person is allowed to signal to a competitor by any means from the headland. This shall be considered as assistance and must be reported.
The Plot Stewards will protect competitors from being approached by Press people an others during the period of the Contest and will prevent all persons other than the judges from walking on the ploughed land.
The Plot Steward must also protect the competitor from "helpful" spectators offering any assistance.
Touring Loudspeaker Vans may be on duty and Plot Stewards should make use of the in appealing to spectators to keep off the plots, if necessary. Stewards must at all times do all they can to safeguard the interests of competitors to ensure them every fair chance.
Stewards must answer any queries which the competitor may have or obtain an answer form the Head Stewards and may, if permitted by the Head Stewards, assist only with the lifting of heavy equipment such as is normally required to be handled by more than one person.
Stewards must, however, during the period of the Contest, not assist with mounting and dismounting tractor twin wheels, must make sure that no persons can be injured by tractor wheels parked on the headlands.
Assistance in the event of mechanical breakdown may be permitted by the Head Stewards. The Plot Steward will be responsible for recording the time lost by nay of the competitors under his/her supervision owing to mechanical breakdown, "force majeure", or having to wait on his/her neighbour and will report same without delay to the Head Stewards.
During the period of recorded lost time the competitor must not perform any operation, i.e. measuring plot, adjusting plough, etc.
Finishing time. The Contest is ended as soon as the final Red signal is given. All competitors must, however, finish their plots.
Removal of Tractors and Ploughs. Plot Stewards must make sure all competitors return to the Marshalling Yard with their tractors and ploughs as directed by the Parade Marshalls