LEADING British plough maker, Dowdeswell Engineering, has presented an engraved silver salver to Ryedale arable farmer Graeme Witty to commemorate his achievement of becoming the first ploughman to have won both conventional and reversible world ploughing titles.

This unique double was achieved at Landshut, Bavaria, in September when Graeme became 1998 World Reversible Ploughing Champion at his first attempt, using a Dowdeswell two-furrow 100 Series MM plough.

Graeme Witty has been world conventional ploughing champion three times, winning the title in 1988, 1990 and 1992.

The specially-engraved silver salver was presented to Graeme at the Royal Smithfield Show by Agriculture Minister Nick Brown during a visit to the Dowdeswell stand.Farming 240ha (600 acres) at East Lutton, near Malton, Graeme has been ploughing competitively for 37 years, beginning with Young Farmers' matches at the age of 13.

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