Summer Newsletter 2026

WEB SITE FOR USAPO: http://usapo.org

2026 National Plowing Competition Summer Newsletter

I hope this letter finds you well and looking forward to this year’s 2026 national plowing

matches. I know we look forward to seeing each of you and I’ve already put in a request for

nice plowing weather.

I mowed the oats on my practice area on June 1st and as soon as it stops raining, it will be time

to begin practicing. The Iowa weather has been a little stormy this year but the temperatures

have been absolutely perfect, upper 70’s and lower 80’s. Here's a calendar reminder of the

2026 state plowing schedules.

 PA, April 28-30

 OH, July 31st and August 1st in Mendon.

 IA, July 31st and August 1st in Melbourne.

 MN, August 14th and 15th in Greenwald.

 SD, August 27-30 at the Prairie Village Antique Tractor Show.

USAPO National Plowing Match –

The 2026 National Plowing Matches will be held in Cedar Falls, IA from August 19-22 at an

antique equipment show called Antique Acres. The IPA has held a number of plowing

competitions at this show and they have been very good to us. The soil is reasonably black with

a nice light sandy mix. It typically plows very well and can also take quite a bit of rain.

Location:

Antique Acres

1710 Waverly Road

Cedar Falls, IA 50613

www.Antiqueacres.org

We only have 30 acres this year so we have to be efficient in our use. We have determined that

there is enough ground to allow two days of competition for the Vintage Small Plow and

Kverneland Classes. If we get more competitors than expected, we may choose to reduce one

or both small plow classes to a single day. At this time, there will be no Kverneland challenge.

The Antique and Open class plots will measure 40’ W x 264’ L and the Vintage and

Kverneland small plow plots will measure 65’ W x 316’ L. We are asking that all national

plow-persons planning to attend the 2026 matches call their national director and register their

intent to compete by July 15th. This will allow our Iowa team to layout the plots in the best

possible configuration. State Directors, please forward the names of your state plow-persons to

Ray Elsberry, Chad Adelmund or Mike Fitz. Our cell numbers are listed below.

There are two loading docks available at Antique Acres. One is the correct height for

gooseneck deck over flatbeds and the second is for semi-trailers. We will have people available

with skid steers or loaders to help you unload if needed.

The antique tractor show does not officially open to the public until Friday the 21st. There may

not be food on the grounds if you come early on Wednesday but there are café/restaurants close

by and we may have a food truck roll through at noon each day as well.

A quick reminder that national dues are $30 and must be paid before you can compete. I think

most of us pay our dues when we arrive at the national matches and that’s fine.

Competition Dates:

Wednesday August 19th Plot layout and practice

Thursday August 20th Practice and plow-person’s banquet

Friday August 21st Competition, Day 1 (Antiq., Kverneland, Antiq. Sm. Plow)

Saturday August 22nd Competition, Day 2 (Open, Kverneland, Antiq. Sm. Plow)

Plow-person’s Banquet:

 The USAPO banquet will be held at the dining hall on the show site.

 Banquet date is August 20th at 7:00 PM

 Banquet meal will be smoked pork loin, seasoned potatoes, green beans and dinner roll.

Beverages will also be provided with the meal.

 Banquet dinner price is $25 per plate.

 Please call any of the following IPA board members to confirm your reservation.

o Brianna Brown 641-485-5067

o Mike Fitz 641-751-9500

o Chad Adelmund 641-750-2310

o Ray Elsberry 641-485-4011

Hotel Information:

Waverly, IA is directly north of the plow site and I believe it offers the easiest access to and

from the plow site with regards to traffic. It’s about 10-12 min straight north of the plow site

Antique Acres via Waverly Road, which runs directly north from the plow site.

Quality Inn, Waverly

319-526-1074

404 29th Ave. SW

Waverly, IA 50677

Super 8 by Wyndham, Waverly

319-318-2449

301 13th Ave SW

Waverly, IA 50677

Cobblestone Inn & Suites, Waverly

319-462-8160

208 E. Bremer Ave

Waverly, IA 50677

USAPO Director’s Meeting Minutes –

A USAPO Director’s Meeting was held on June 9th 2026 at 7:00 PM Central Time. As you may

remember from the spring newsletter, Joel Wagner, Dale Dircksen and Ray Elsberry were to

look into the viability of reducing the state dues paid to the USAPO for hosting a national

plowing competition. The current state dues for hosting a national plowing competition are

$4,500 if the USAPO picks up the trophies or $4,000 if the state picks up the trophies. After

reviewing the income and debits for the USAPO, our group determined that we should be able

to reduce the host state dues to $3,500 if the USAPO picks up the trophies and $3,000 if the

state picks up the trophies. After one revolution of payments from each host state, we can

reevaluate and see if we can lower a little more or if it needs to stay at this level.

Joel Wagner motioned to change the state dues to $3,500 if the USAPO picks up the trophies or

$3,000 if the state picks up the trophies. There was no second on the motion so President Penas

moved to table the motion until the national board meeting at the 2026 national plow matches.

Don Klem seconds the motion and it is tabled for later discussion.

World Plowing:

Kevin Albrecht will be the reversable plow person, Hailey Gruber will be the conventional

plow person and Gene Gruber will be the Coach/Judge at the world plowing championships in

Croatia at the end of August. We wish them the best of luck and safe travels.

WPO Future Plow Sites:

2026 WP in Croatia, end of August

2027 WP in Kenya, 1st and 2nd week of December

2028 WP in Netherlands, August 19-27

2029 WP in New Zealand, 1st week in March

2030 WP in France

That’s all the information we have to share at this time. We look forward to seeing everyone at

the national matches in Iowa this August. I you have any questions regarding the USAPO

meeting, please feel free to contact your state’s USAPO representative. If you have any

questions regarding the 2026 national plowing competition, feel free to contact any of the Iowa

representatives listed above.

Sincerely,

Ray Elsberry

USAPO Sec./Treasurer

641-485-4011

Relsberry61@gmail.com