EARLY on day three of Henty Machinery Field Days Ross Edwards was prepared to declare 2017 crowds a record.
Traditionally the event attracts around 60,000 people.
In years gone by when Henty coincides with the school holidays in NSW and Victoria as many as 70,000 people have flowed through the gates.
And although the numbers hadn’t been officially tallied when The Daily Advertiser went to press event chairman Mr Edwards of Yerong Creek was satisfied to go on years of experience and anecdotal evidence to declare record crowds. “I have just stepped out of the chopper and there are cars backed up to Culcairn and Uranquinty,” he said.
There was also talk among some of the catering outlets that food supplies were running low because the larger crowds couldn’t have been predicted. In fact, some exhibitors had to restock supplies early on Thursday morning to cope with what was expected to be an afternoon rush.
“This is testament to the weather,” Mr Edwards said. “I think it has been a great three days and hopefully we can pick up some rain early next week,” he said. “The sunny weather certainly encourages people to come along but they come here to meet friends, see relatives and meet representatives from the different ag companies too… it is a chance to have a day away from the farm and enjoy yourself,” he said.
CASE IH, a machinery manufacture, has been exhibiting at Henty since the event’s inception.
Company product manager Tim Slater said Henty was an ideal backdrop to celebrate 175 years of agricultural machinery manufacturing. For members of the Case team it was an opportunity to cut a cake and reflect on the old and new.
The site was full of the latest in tractors and large horse-power machinery which is capable of making efficient gains in the current agricultural sector. However, there was also an opportunity for nostalgia with vintage machines featuring on the site too. Mr Slater said surviving for 175 years in business was something that was worth celebrating. He said it was also a time to enjoy the occasion with the producers who had supported Case machinery over the years.
Rural journalist with Fairfax media based in the Riverina.
Rural journalist with Fairfax media based in the Riverina.
