What farmer might need may be field to split (9)
I believe the answer is:
pitchfork
'what farmer might need may' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'field to split' is the wordplay.
'field' becomes 'pitch' (I have seen 'Field of play' mean 'pitch' so perhaps 'field' could also mean 'pitch').
'to split' becomes 'fork' (I've seen this before).
'pitch'+'fork'='PITCHFORK'
'be' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pitchfork that I've seen before include "Tool for tossing hay" , "Thrust into a difficult situation" , "Implement for tossing hay" , "Tool for lifting hay" , "Tool for shifting hay" .)