GALLERY: Crowds flock to Henty

Large crowds have flocked to Henty Machinery Field Days in southern NSW for the first two days of the event. See some of the faces in the crowd.

Automated machinery and innovation were some of the hallmarks of the 2024 Henty Machinery Field Days.

Over three days this week, organisers were expecting around 60,000 people to attend the southern NSW event.

Patrons were able to watch drones flying over crop trials or inspect the latest in livestock innovation and see the concepts that have earned local farmers huge kudos in competitions such as the Machine of the Year Award.

For those who enjoy history and nostalgia, a Sunshine header dating back to 1925 took centre stage at the vintage machinery display.

It was Simon Flinn of The Rock, southern NSW, who had the most successful first day of the event.

His Ram-to-Ewe automated catching pen was named Machine of the Year.

At the John Deere site, there was a flurry of activity from farmers inspecting the latest in larger horse-power tractors or pricing balers to contrasting interest in ride-on mowers and automated equipment.

Brian Hawken of John Deere said the mood for 2024 was distinctly upbeat despite tough seasonal conditions in parts.

“There is strong interest across the board, and we are seeing really good traffic through our site,” he said.

The field days continue today and tomorrow.

Joe Walden of Kentish Downs Poll Dorsets, Wagga Wagga is pictured at the Henty Machinery Field Days. Picture: Nikki Reynolds

Rihanna Moncrieff, 15, and Isabella Baulch, 14 both of Coolamon inspect the tractors at Henty Machinery Field Days. Picture: Nikki Reynolds

Sven Koljo of Cropmark Seeds, North East Victoria is pictured with Bill McDonnell of Lockhart, southern NSW inspecting the crop trials at the Henty Machinery Field Days. Picture: Nikki Reynolds

Bob Thornely and Simon Flinn of Flinn Designs at The Rock in southern NSW win the Henty Machinery Field Days Machine of the Year award with their ergonomically designed automated catching pen. Picture: Nikki Reynolds

Andrew Newton of Walbundrie, NSW, is pictured with a Sunshine Header from 1925 that is owned by Kerry Peach of Pleasant Hills, NSW. Picture: Nikki Reynolds

Emma Edyvean, 2, and her mum Sofie Edyvean of Wagga Wagga are pictured at the Henty Machinery Field Days. Picture: Nikki Reynolds

Bob Thornely (left) and Simon Flinn of Flinn Designs are congratulated by judge Warren Scheetz of Henty Machinery Field Days after Flinn Designs won the Machine of the Year with an automated catching pen. Picture: Nikki Reynolds

Aaron Giason of Baker Seeds, Rutherglen, Victoria is pictured with a crop of BOA wheat in the crop trials at the Henty Machinery Field Days. Picture: Nikki Reynolds