Attendance records shattered at Henty Machinery Field Days
Massive economic injection and enormous sales of agricultural and adjacent products and servicesThe 59th annual Henty Machinery Field Days has been hailed as the biggest and most successful on record, with the 2022 edition drawing a record-breaking 70,000 vistors and injecting more than $100 million into the economy.
The September 20-22 event featured 14km of outdoor shop fronts from over 800 exhibitors, with visitors from all over Australia focussed on the latest information and opportunities in hay, tillage, fencing, grain handling, tractors, headers and stock handling equipment.
HMFD chief executive officer, Belinda Anderson, said the sheer volume of visitors forced an unprecedented decision to turn back ticket holders from the gates as the grounds and carpark reached capacity by midday on Thursday.
“The combination of a public holiday, good weather and the return from COVID created the perfect storm,” she said.
“Sadly, for public safety reasons we had to close the gates and turn people away on Thursday. All gate entry tickets for those who could not get in on Thursday will be refunded.
“The HMFD volunteers were so positive and enthusiastic coping under extreme pressure considering these people walk away from their other lives for the two weeks of the field days.”
This year’s program included a concert featuring country music stars Brooke McClymont, Adam Eckersley and Danny Phegan, with the free entertainment made possible by a grant from the state government under a reconnecting regional NSW community program.
There was alao a trade delegation from Argentina looking to explore mutual business opportunities in agricultural machinery, ag tech, sprayers, biotech and livestock. On the awards front, the highlight was the MacDon FD2 Flex Draper winning the Henty Machine of the Year.
Other award winners were:
- Daniel Draper for the best new Australian-designed and built agricultural machine for a dual auger multi-purpose 70 bag Ezy Feeder;
- Muddy River Agricultural for the Best Large Commercial;
- Charles Sturt University for the Best Outdoor General;
- Gift company My Hygge Home for the Best Indoor site in Country Lifestyle; and
- First-time exhibitor Tony Sanderberg with his Kick Ice Cocktails for Best Indoor Site at the Farm Gate Produce Market.
Community groups also benifitted from the field days, with funds raised in the main food shed – run by the Walbundrie Building Committee – to be used for a variety of purposes including helping students to further their sporting opportuniuties, people requiring acommodation and anyone needing emergency help.
Up to 70 volunteers from around the area served 9000 buckets of chips, 2000 chicken schnitzel burgers and 2500 steak sandwiches.
The 2023 Henty Machinery Field Days, to be held from September 19 to 21, will mark a very special milestone for the event as it steps into its 60th year, with planning on the event to start soon.
RELATED:
Henty back in 2022 with new free concert
Henty casts the spotlight on wool industry
MacDon FD2 named Henty Machine of the Year
Innovative feeder wins major Henty award
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.