Out with the old - in with the new

In the 1950's my father returned to the farm after spending 6 months at as a trainee stud manager at a prestigious Thoroughbred Racehorse Stud Farm in England.

He was very keen to grow crops of lucern and teff along the river. My grandfather was not keen as he said that irrigation along the river was a precursor to bankruptcy.

He relented and the first Ferguson tractor, or "Vaal-Japie" (Grey-Johnny) as they are called in South Africa, with trailer filled with implements was driven the 120 km from Kimberley to the farm. Cost: Six hundred Pounds.

This tractor was the first in the world to come standard with a "3-point linkage system".

All tractors since have them.

In 1965 the Fordson Super Major arrived. This tractor together with the two Fergusons prepared the ground for the pecan development.

Here Bob Roux watches them being loaded to be taken to a tractor dealer.

We have been told that a collector of vintage tractors has made an offer for them. Sentiment wishes that they have such an end.

It was sad to see them go.