Kim Woods is the event media manager and she said initial indications were that crowds looked to be strong for day one.

She told the Eastern Riverina Chronicle that people had come through the gates early and could be seen walking around the site carrying purchases as early as 8.15am. 

“I can’t believe how strong the crowds are this early in the day … people are certainly shopping early,” she said. 

Just 1mm of rain fell overnight and other than a few clouds the weather was mostly fine for the first day.

She said the Machine of the Year and working demonstrations had created plenty of interest 

Meanwhile, it was a Canadian-built machine took the top honours in the machine of the year.

The  24m-wide drill was able to fold to a transport width of 5.4m within minutes. 

The 3420 PHD Paralink Hoe Drill, entered by Bourgault, impressed judges with its unique folding mechanism, with the wings able to be folded and unfolded in three-and-a-half minutes for transport.

As one of the widest drills on the market, the 3420 was debuted by Canadian manufacture Bourgault to Australian dealers at Howlong in southern NSW in June, with Henty being the first public display.

Highly commended was the Coolamon All Rounder multi-purpose chaser bin entered by Bruce and Heath Hutcheon, Coolamon Chaser Bins, Coolamon.

A total of 18 machines and equipment a were showcased in the Machine of the Year.

Announced on the opening day, this “farmers choice’’ award is presented to the most outstanding new piece of agricultural machinery exhibited at the field days.