The Border Mail

Henty boasts biggest field days in Southern Australia

As seen from above, the Henty Machinery Field Days is the single largest agricultural and open-air event which is set to run over two massive days from September 17 to September 19.
As seen from above, the Henty Machinery Field Days is the single largest agricultural and open-air event which is set to run over two massive days from September 17 to September 19.

This is advertiser content for Henty Machinery Field Days.

SOUTHERN Australia is set to host the single largest agricultural and open-air event over three massive days on September 17-19 with the Henty Machinery Field Days.

Celebrating the 56th year, southern producers have been given a reprieve with much-needed Autumn rain making its way across parts of New South Wales, kick-starting the 2019 winter cropping season.

Covering 105 hectares, the grounds are expected to be filled to capacity with people travelling from across the country to inspect an array of farming machinery and goods worth more than $120 million.

Chief executive officer Belinda Anderson said the Henty Machinery Field Days team are proud to present more than 3500 companies, displaying products across 1200 sites.

"The interest in the field days from exhibitors and visitors alike continues to grow year-on-year with the site being the biggest its ever been in terms of physical area,'' Mrs Anderson said.

"The HMFD team works hard to ensure Henty maintains its mantle of the friendliest field days, and our exhibitor and visitor experience continues to be enhanced.''

Mrs Anderson said this year's field days were expected to equal the largest on record in terms of exhibitor area with 14km of shopfront for visitors to explore.

Drawcards at the 2019 event will be the daily sheep and yard dog trials, Baker Seed Co agronomy demonstration site, 2019 Natural Fibre Fashion Awards, vintage farm machinery, reptile awareness display, and the Farm Gate Produce Market pavilion with cooking demonstrations and entertainment.

Officially opening the field days on Tuesday, September 17 at 11am, will be AgriFutures Australia chair Kay Hull AM, with a welcome address by new HMFD chairman Nigel Scheetz.

The opening will include the presentation of the prestigious Henty Machine of the Year Award, this year celebrating the 45th anniversary.

More than 800 national and international agricultural and commercial businesses will be eligible for the HMFD Exhibitor Awards at the 2019 field days which are set to be presented on September 18.

Mrs Anderson said the exhibitor awards encouraged site holders to strive for similar ideals during the field days.

"Many of our exhibitors put a lot of time, resources and effort into having their sites looking first class, to engage with field day patrons and potential customers.

"Cutting edge technology combined with innovative ideas and marketing techniques are continually being used at the event by businesses to capture new market share.

"We want to recognise and reward these businesses who take a great deal of pride in their sites," she said.

At Country Lifestyle, the stage will be the focus of fashion parades featuring garments from exhibitors daily at 11am and 2.30pm.

Designers with a flair for converting natural fibres into wearable art will compete for almost $5000 worth of prizes.

Don't miss out on seeing cooking demonstrations by chef Michelle Matusch at The Farm Gate Produce Market before heading over to the Pedigree Sheep and Yard Dog Trials.

New to the field days this year will be the AgriFutures NextGen seminar facilitated by NSW-ACT AgriFutures Rural Woman of the Year Jo Palmer, of The Rock.

Guest speakers will cover the topics of women in agriculture, future proofing towns and businesses, agricultural innovation, machinery of the future and solving critical industry challenges.

Along with a number of machinery demonstrations and competitions, visitors are encouraged to take in a bird's eye view of the day with Wagga Air Centre pilot Chris Cabot facilitating 10-minute long helicopter joy flights.

Gates are open from 8am-5pm, with adult tickets $22, children 12 to 16 years $5, and children under 12 free when accompanied by an adult.

Each visitor through the gate will be eligible for the gate prize of $1000 of fuel courtesy TASCO Petroleum plus a five-day holiday to Surfers Paradise for two people courtesy of Swagman Tours.

This is advertiser content for Henty Machinery Field Days.