Countdown to Henty Field Days begins

With only days left till the Henty Machinery Field Days, organisers have released their program for the event and it’s jam-packed.

The field days will be held from September 19 to 21 and will showcase more than $200 million worth of agricultural machinery and products.

Organisers said this year will be the largest exhibition of businesses in the event’s history.

With the show celebrating a milestone birthday this year, it will feature all of its key attractions including Henty Machine of the Year Award, working sheep dog trials, Baker Seeds agronomy trials and helicopter joy rides; as well as some new additions.

“2023 will further enhance the visitor experience with displays and features reflecting on the 60 year heritage of the field days,” said HMFD chief executive officer, Belinda Anderson.

For the machinery enthusiasts, there will be a one-off display of the world’s rarest tractors.

Upton Engineering at Corowa was built on the collection of ex-disposals army vehicles, tanks and spares to convert into bulldozers for scrub clearing, but ultimately produced one of Australia’s most famous tractors.

Upton tractor collectors will be bringing their machines from Corowa, Albury, Swan Hill, Ardlethan, and Mudgee.

There will be a special dedication to the Upton tractor collection and designers on Wednesday September 20 at the machinery demonstration area.

The official opening on Tuesday, September 19 will include the presentation of the prestigious Henty Machine of the Year Award while the Best Australian Designed and Manufactured Machine will be presented on Wednesday, September 20 at 10.30am.

In recognition of NSW’s prominent role in AgTech, the 2023 Henty Machinery Field Days will mark the resurgence of the Agri-Innovators Award in partnership with Farmers2Founders.

This expansion aims to celebrate and champion the ground-breaking advancements in agriculture.

The award categories are Agritech Innovation of the Year, Emerging AgTech Innovation, Innovative Producer Award, and Female Innovator of the Year, and winners will be announced on Thursday, September 21 at 11am.

Awards will also be presented to exhibitors with the best displays including Best Outdoor Large Commercial, Best Outdoor General and Best Indoor Exhibitor sites (Country Lifestyle and Farm Gate Produce Market). The awards will be presented on Thursday, September 21 to the winners.

At Country Lifestyle, fashion parades featuring garments from exhibitors will take place daily at 11am and 2.30pm plus a mini parade of clothing from the 1960s, paying homage to Henty’s 60th birthday.  It will be a step back in time with recipes, cookery and lifestyle tips from the 1960s.

Designers with a flair for converting natural fibres into wearable art will compete for more than $5500 worth of prizes, including the new Business Development Award: Australian Made Fibre sponsored by JMP Developments, Wodonga, for $500.

The Henty Natural Fibre Fashion Awards showcase designs using at least 70 per cent natural fibres with parades daily at 1pm and the winners announced after 1pm on Thursday.

The Farm Gate Produce Market is the place to be to sample and purchase gourmet products direct from regional producers whilst outside on the sound stage is the talented regional duo Happy Hour.

The Working Dog Trials will also return this year with competition expected to be intense with the nation’s best sheep dogs and their handlers attending the trials.

Henty and District Antique Farm Machinery Club members will once again showcase a variety of vintage machinery ranging from tractors, tillage machinery, stationary engines, farm equipment and vintage motorcycles that would have been on show at the inaugural field days in 1963.

Field day visitors can see lure and bait fishing techniques demonstrated from one of the biggest mobile fish tanks in the southern hemisphere, the Berkley Super Tank, in the 20-minute shows.

Location: 22 Lubkes Road, Henty NSW 2658

Dates: September 19-21, 2023

Time: 8am to 5pm every day

Admission: (Online) Adults - $25 + booking fees, children (aged 12 to 17) - $8 + booking fees, children 11-years and under – free. Purchase tickets online here. (At the gates) Adults - $30, children (aged 12 to 17) - $10, children 11-years and under – free