It was a cold and wet start to the 2011 Henty Machinery Field Days (HMFD).
But this didn’t deter farmers coming from far and wide to discuss and see the latest technology in farming machinery and equipment.
Sales representative for Wagga Wagga CLAAS Harvest Centre, Clayton Thomas said the day was very positive and despite the bad weather on the first day, there was still a lot of enquiry.
“The Henty Machinery Field Days is like a one stop candy shop for farmers,” Mr Thomas said.
“Farmers look forward to this every year, they can look and touch all the new products in one place, a bit of bad weather wouldn’t keep them away,” he said.
HMFD chairman Ross Edwards said despite the “four seasons in one day” weather conditions, the crowds made it to Henty in droves and believes special guest Australian living treasure Dick Smith was a star attraction. Entrepreneur Dick Smith officially opened the field days this year and used the Henty Machinery Field Days to call on Australians to double their efforts to buy Australian food.
“Australia produces the best food in the world, so why are we eating imported food,” Mr Smith said.
“Australia is now a net importer of fruit and vegetables.
“I simply can’t believe it.
“What you can do is talk to your friends and tell them to buy Australian.
“Support the home team,” he said.
Mr Smith and his wife Pip Smith took great interest in the Henty Machinery Field Days and were keen to see the latest in agriculture and the tools farmers were employing to produce high quality food.
In the afternoon Mr Smith launched a school education program to explain the significance of Box Gum Grassy Woodlands at the CMA site at HMFD.
The program includes a DVD made by students from Henty, Yerong Creek, Pleasant Hills and Culcairn Public Schools, explains why these woodlands are so special.
The Henty Machine of the Year was awarded to the Baker No-Tillage Cross Slot, a New Zealand made machine now available in Australia and used in 17 countries around the world.
The seeding machine is unique in that it creates unique horizontal seed slots (when most others are vertical).
It self covers the slots and traps soil humidity in the slot while conserving 50-100mm (2 - 4 inches) soil moisture per year
Shepparton farmer David Cook, an agent for the machine in Australia, said the Cross Slot guarantees soil-to-seed contact with no slot-shrinkage problems
Highly commended in the Henty Machine of the Year was the Proway Bulk Sheep Handler, designed to make handling of large numbers of sheep easy in an era of labour shortages and ageing farmers.
After a full day of judging, HMFD director and judging panel chair Matt Bergmeier said the entries were diverse and each offered something new and innovative for Australian farmers.
Crowds to the field days were entertained by the Kapooka Army Band and country music duo Hey Diddle Fiddle, both performing for the second time at the Henty Machinery Field Days and the Scots School Band, performing for the first time at the field days.
Visitors flocked to the new Farm Gate produce market, where they enjoyed a range of tasty treats and the Country Lifestyle, working dog and vintage machinery displays remained popular attractions.
“This year’s field days have one of the best displays ever of all the latest equipment, crop varieties and livestock,” Mr Edwards said.
“This year there was definitely something for everybody.”
Email a friend