The rapidly developing ag tech industry will be a highlight of the Henty Machinery Field Days on September 17 to 19.
The event, in its 61st year, will showcase more than $200 million worth of agricultural machinery and products.
HMFD chief executive officer Belinda Anderson said it had become an institution on the farming calendar.
“The event has a proud heritage and the HMFD Co-operative has never lost sight of the primary reason for its existence — to showcase the agricultural industry, and the very latest in new and emerging agricultural technology,” Mrs Anderson said.
This year’s field days will have all the usual attractions including the prestigious Henty Machine of the Year Award, the working sheepdog trials, Country Lifestyle pavilion, Farm Gate Produce Area, Baker Seeds agronomy trials, helicopter joy rides, live entertainment, the Natural Fibre Fashion Awards and vintage farm machinery display.
A highlight will be Agtech Alley, a collaboration with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, and the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
“This hub will connect over 40 collaborating business, industry, grower and producer organisations, and delivers an extensive schedule of workshop, demonstrations, panel discussions, networking events and start-up mentoring for all attendees,” Mrs Anderson said.
“Agtech Alley will deliver practical advice to producers and industry organisations through hourly speaker and panel sessions, and live demonstrations.
“Visitors can learn about cutting-edge innovation and how they can apply the latest technology, be it remote sensors, connectivity, or post-harvest solutions to streamline their on-farm operations.”
The 2024 field days will be officially opened by popular meteorologist, presenter and founder of Jane’s Weather, Jane Bunn.
The official opening on Tuesday, September 17 will include the presentation of the prestigious Henty Machine of the Year Award while Greater Hume Council will sponsor the Best Australian Designed and Manufactured Machine to be presented on Wednesday, September 18.
National and international agricultural and commercial businesses will be eligible for the HMFD Exhibitor Awards, which will be presented on Thursday, September 19 to the winners of the Best Outdoor Large Commercial, Best Outdoor General and Best Indoor Exhibitor sites (Country Lifestyle and Farm Gate Produce Market).
At Country Lifestyle, the stage will be the focus of fashion parades featuring garments from exhibitors daily at 11am and 1pm.
Designers with a flair for converting natural fibres into wearable art will compete for more than $5500 worth of prizes.
The Henty Natural Fibre Fashion Awards showcase designs using at least 70 per cent natural fibres with parades daily and the winners announced at 1.30pm on Thursday, September 19.
The Henty and District Antique Farm Machinery Club display always draws a large crowd, and this year will commemorate 160 years of Furphy Engineering, including the famous Furphy water cart, and the centenary of the Sunshine Auto header.
Pre-purchase early bird tickets until September 16 at: https://www.hmfd.com.au
Gates are open from 8am to 5pm, with prices for online and gate entry unchanged from 2023. Online tickets can be purchased while in the queue at the gate.