Plow day

[James of Stark]

What is involved in organizing a plow day? This is on land that has its use donated to a non-profit to make horse hay.
 

[BushogPapa]

Insurance, Insurance, Insurance...then Disclaimers for everyone to sign...

Even at that, you may be Liable...

Ron..
 

[LA in WI]

James,

I coordinate an annual plow day; had 60 old tractors in it last year. 4-H serves food and drinks and makes a ton of money. At least 150 spectators plus some press. Very popular event near Reedsburg, Wi.

I can help you with details if you are interested. If so you have to first give me your phone number.

LA in WI
 

[B-maniac]

Seriously ??
 

[James Lieb]

Loader tractor is a must,unload and load plows.Guys
will come from several miles away if you get the
word out,pass out flyers and tell local club
members.
 

[agonair]

We organize one near Arthur, IL. Get your land
lined up...a good 100 acres plus makes for a good
day.
Then, begin your publicity...start two months
out...send press releases to all of your local
paper, AgriNews, Farmweek, and be sure to send
them to your local Farm Broadcaster. You'll get
allot of free publicity. Arrange for a loader
tractor...porta-potty, get an FFA or 4-H group to
have snacks, lunch, and drinks, and arrange for
spectator parking. We have one guy who acts as the
Plowmaster and is in charge. Generally, the host
farm will furnish the fuel. We utilize the same
farm each year and have set the first Saturday in
November. Have someone to take pictures. Have
fun!!
 

[James of Stark]

Thanks all for the input. This forum really saves time and effort!
Sounds like I need to attend a couple to get a good idea of wat I might be in for.
From the sounds of it, 7-12 acres is too small. We have 3 plots that size.

Thanks again!

Jim
 

[Leroy]

That is not too small depending on how you do it. You do not have to go to all the things said. Do not try to have the whole county or state involved. Are there any local tractor clubs that you can become a member of? That would be first step. Then work with that one and only that one club to put it on. The clubs generaly have the insurance that covers any club sponsered activity so that should be covered. Then by limiting it to only the local club members you do not have to have hundreds of acres to have a good time and tell them ahead of time you only have a small amount of acreage so please only 1 to 3 bottom plows and no 4 bottom or up plows. And as yet I have to hear of any club sponsered plow day that the fuel is furnished but we do not have them where the whole country is invited. And for you that would make a good club activity and give the club something to do. On the food as it is a charitable situation have the club furnish burgers for the members only and just set up a grill in the field. And do not notify the media about it, when it is over just send in a write up with a couple of pictures. You do not want loads of people just comming to look. The extra people would just get in the way and increase the need for the insurance. You say you have 3 small fields so lay the one out for the plowers with 12" plows,anouther for the 14" plows and the third for the 16" plows, that way you will not have big furrows and ridges for every time a 16" plow tries to follow a 12" or the other way around. And being a charitable donation for the club it would give them good publicity after it is done but do not get anyone other than the one local club involved. All plow days around here are never publicized to anybody but club members, it is not designed to be a show but for enjoyment of a few and in your case doing a good deed for the public. Ask some that do not want to bring a plow that may not even own a plow to come and hook to a disk or cultimulcher to get it ready for the seeding. If you can have extra tractors and machinery avaible for the members that might not own something a chance to participate. For restroom have somebody that has a camper park it there for that and as a base for the grill to serve the food. I hosted one several years ago when I still had the farm and it was only about 25 acres and it was not all plowed that day even with some 4 bottom plows comming. And I did not have a loader tractor and only one person had a problem with unloading or loading his plow and that was because he was just with age and health problems last time he ever was able to pull a plow and the other members jumped in to handle it for him. You may not get it ready for seeding all in one day so plan it for 2 days in your case and the members that could not make it one day have a chance to help on the other day. Any more questions just ask. You do need a place for the guys to park there trailers as well.
 

[James of Stark]

Thanks!
All three plots have parking. I do not know of any tractor clubs in the local area, I'll have to do some research!
The insurance is covered by the horse ranch as an event rider. They have a lawyer who can word the release forms accordingly as well. As far as food goes, they have a full time cook that can make up a chow wagon would work just fine. I agree that the fuel could be an issue at these prices, and some folks have a particular "diet" for their machines. Maybe a two day event followed up with a tractor show and huge bonfire at the ranch afterward. Along with stuff to keep family members occupied as well....
(pony rides for kids)
Who knows, our largest sponsor has some cool ideas!
 

[BushogPapa]

It would be advisable to have a "Test Plot", to check the tractor/plow combination for each attendee....
You may be very surprised, what a dismal job some will do...!
From absolutely nothing but Rust, to rear tractor wheels 18" too wide for the plow...
Have a good set of Tools and Heavy Beaters available....
I spend as much (or more) time setting and adjusting other's equipment as I do plowing, at our plow day..
Ron..
 

[showcrop]

Since the ultimate objective is to produce good hay you should plan backwards from a mid sept. seeding date. Fall seedings produce far less weeds and higher probability of getting a good "catch", due to fall rains.
 

[Leroy]

August is the month for Alfalfa here in Ohio. If can get things done in the spring a good way to go would be to plant oats and make a hay crop out of them and then follow up with a disk in august to put in Alfalfa. That way you would lessen any weed problems and also if any toxicity problems would be less having a crop in between.
 

[hayshaker5]

Are you near DeWitt, Ia?
 

[James of Stark]