Monday, 20 April 2026 10:55

Mark Dillon Does It Again!

Written by Staff Reporters

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Mark Dillon (right) receives the Fern Energy Silver Plough Conventional Trophy

Southland crop farmer Mark Dillon took out his fifth New Zealand conventional ploughing title at the NZ Ploughing Championships held over the weekend at Methven.

Dillon also won the top title last year.

Rural News is proud to be one of the sponsors of the championships.

Full results of the 71st Power Farming New Zealand Ploughing Championships held in Methven on 18th and 19th April 2026

Fern Energy Silver Plough Conventional overall results:

First Place: Mark Dillon - 385.5 points (won the Fern Energy Silver Plough Conventional Trophy)

Second Place: Derek Houghton - 295.5 points (won the Case IH Trophy)

Third Place: Shane Burnby - 284.5 points (winner of the Magson Trophy)

Pioneer Brand Products Reversible overall results:

First Place: Malcolm Taylor - 324.5 points, (with the reversible trophy donated by Graham and Shirley Gifford)

Second Place: Murray Baird - 295.5 points (with the Ford trophy)

Third Place: Henry Williams - 268.0 points

Winners of the Pioneer Brand Products Reversible Malcolm Taylor and Fern Energy Silver Plough Conventional Mark Dillon will represent New Zealand at the 72nd World Ploughing Contest in Kenya in 2027)

Rural News Horse Plough:

First Place: John and Sharon Chynoweth - 368.0 points (winners of the Rural News Horse trophy)

Second Place: John Booth and Paule Crawford - 297.5 points

Third Place: Ian and Kathy Cummings - 249.5 points

Holmes Solutions New Zealand Vintage Ploughing Championship:

First Place: Paula Jordan - 303.0 points (winner of the Jordan Family trophy)

Second Place: Ian Cocker - 294.0 points

Third Place: Robert Weavers - 293.0 points

Holmes Solutions Contemporary Ploughing

First Place: Josh Rushton - 325.0 points (winner of the David M Brown Memorial Trophy)

Second Place: Richard Cooke - 283.5 points

Third Place: Keith Marychurch - 231.5 points

Special Prizes: Vern Bishell Trophy donated by Vern Bishell to be presented to the best presented horse team, this will includes horses, equipment and contestants. Winner: John Booth and Paule Crawford

Wiganwood Trophy Donated by John Thornton: Best presented rig at this years Championship Winner: Murray Grainger

W G Miller Trophy Awarded to the highest place competitor 35 years of age and under at the time of this championship. Winner: Shane Burnby

Alistair Rutherford Memorial Trophy - for outstanding contribution to the sport of ploughing: Alan Begg The Jordan family prize for the straightest plot on the ground - Paula Jordan

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