A perfect first furrow by Canadian Plowing Champion, Tom Evans, kicks off the unofficial opening of the 2026 International Plowing Match (IPM) near Walkerton. “This marks the 50th anniversary of when it was here first. So, this is the fourth time in Bruce County and quite an honor. Until 1976, the Plowing Association didn’t think there was enough people in Bruce County to put on a plowing match. And in 1976 they broke all attendance records, so we’re hoping to do that again,” said IPM 2026 Local Committee Chair, Gord Lang, who was at the first Bruce County IPM back in 1976. The annual celebration of agriculture has taken over 100 acres of farmland, west of Walkerton, and turned it into a tented city with cell towers, and 14 kilometres of hydro wires, and water pipes. It’s actually, the same parcel of land used to host Bruce County’s IPM in 1993. “Well, it’s an honour. There’s no question about it. It is an honor. Now, in fairness, we didn’t own this property in 1993. We bought it shortly after 1993. But still, we’re just really proud that they decided to come back here. It’s a good spot for a match. It can rain next week. And if the rain stops by Sunday, Tuesday, it’ll be all perfect,” said Tony and Elaine Lang, the host farmers for this year’s IPM. The five day celebration of agriculture and rural living runs from Sept. 22-26. A place for farmers and rural residents to revel in their way of life, and a place for those that don’t live in the countryside to learn more about how and why Ontario grows some of the best food and commodities in North America. “There’s a giant education tent that has everything in it, from soup to nuts, different kinds of cattle, and sheep. There’s antiques, there’s ten acres of antiques, and steam engines,” said Lang. “This is a heartland for beef production and cash crops. So for us to be able to highlight that, especially in these troubled times, trade wise, it’s a perfect positive event for all,” said Executive Director of the Ontario Plowmen’s Association, Kathy Lasby. Teeswater’s Square Dancing Tractors are coming out of retirement, as one of the main sources of IPM entertainment over the five day event, one that hopes to bounce back from a few down years in terms of attendance. “It’s been off for the last couple of years, but this year we’re hoping to get close to 100,000 visitors, if we can,” said local organizer, Lang. “We’ll have people from all across the province, but we also will have people from other countries. And sometimes that’s all it takes, is somebody sees something they like and relocate to our county and start their own agriculture business or any kind of a business. It’s a huge spin off for the county to have this match located right here,” said Bruce County’s Deputy Warden Don Murray. Organizers say none of this would be possible, without the 1600 volunteers who have organized, and will run the 2026 International Plowing Match later this month.
