The prestigious award, which is judged by a panel of regional primary producers, is presented to the most outstanding new piece of agricultural equipment exhibited at the field days.

The unit was designed by Gerogery district farmers and harvesting contractors, Neil and Wendy Phillips.

The enterprising couple also distribute the increasingly popular Silo Bags system, which stores up to 200 tonnes of grain, silage or fertiliser in 60-metre long PVC tubes.

Mr Phillips says his new outloader, which is built by South Australian farm machinery manufacturer, Vennings and is marketed by Silo Bags is the result of many years of experience in grain handling.

“Our machine is designed to externally unload the bag and, unlike other unloaders, it will empty the grain bag completely.

“Other roll-up unloaders can leave up to a tonne of grain in the bag and that has to be shovelled into the machine, which is unsafe and tiring,” said Mr Phillips.

Neil says his unit can handle different-sized bags and applies less stress to the bags while they are being

emptied.

It is available in both in self-propelled or tractor-driven versions.

Highly commended was a twin disc drill seeder designed by Condobolin district farmer, Chris Jones.