The first Little Grey Fergie, ninetieth anniversary a special poem.

Earlier this year as we celebrated the ninetieth anniversary of the arrival of the first Ferguson-Brown Type A in Northern Ireland that arrived on the 21st April, 1936, I penned a special poem and thought now would be a good time to share it with the readers.

The Ferguson-Brown Type A introduced in 1936 was the world’s first production Ferguson System tractor and would start a revolution in agriculture as part of Ferguson Farm Machinery.  Built for Harry Ferguson by David Brown in England.  The very special first tractor tractor serial number 1 and two furrow plough would go to Thomas MacGregor Greer at Tullylagan Manor, outside Cookstown in County Tyrone.  He was the chief financer backer of the development of the Ferguson System and it was on his lands in County Tyrone the system of three point hydraulic linkage was perfected and made ready for production at the end of 1935.   The historic tractor after being used for displays and shows spent it’s working life in County Tyrone, first at Tullylagan and then after Greer’s death it was sold to another farmer in County Tyrone before being purchased by Harry Ferguson as part of a trade in for a second hand Ford-Ferguson.  Today the tractor is displayed at the Agrispace Museum in France.

The poem is called “The first Little Grey Fergie, ninetieth anniversary.”

Harry Ferguson a visionary with a goal to improve world farming in mind,

The modern tractor as a unit he invented; progress for all humanity to find.

With fingertip control at command, it tilled the soil with automatic ease,

Different implements changed; as easy and quick; as a summer breeze.

From nineteen twenty-five, a revolutionary dream in his mind began to grow,

Seed sprouted; farming done better, safer, with less cost and at a faster flow.

In nineteen thirty-six, a Little Grey Fergie tractor in a world first came to be,

Part of Ferguson Farm Machinery, still for the benefit of you and for me.

In County Tyrone, his vision by perfection in technology took its global hold,

A system built on human advancement; more precious than pure silver or gold.

The Ferguson System of three point hydraulic linkage; a scientific design,

Feeding the world and bettering lives; purpose achieved; one point at a time.

No more the farmers struggle in bondage and poverty; hands and backs so sore,

This little metal helper that modernised farming; and opened the gate to more.

From tractor seat; fields made fertile and green; harvests made rich and grand,

Against hunger's grip, by horse to machine; it freed more than weary hands.

A Northern Ireland triumph by innovation; a wonder shining globally bright,

A beacon of hope, a brand new system; all from a new dawn in morning light.

Billions fed, and lives over ninety years now; pulled from the abyss so deep,

The Little Grey Fergie; a symbol of great progress made that will always keep.

Stevan D. T. Patterson

Castlederg Co. Tyrone