Announced on the opening day, this "farmers' choice'' award is presented to the most outstanding new piece of agricultural machinery exhibited at the Henty Machinery Field Days (HMFD) on September 17 to 19, 2019.

The award is judged by an independent panel of regional primary producers.

In many cases the machine has gone on to become a standard piece of equipment on farms.

Judging criteria includes the machine's purpose and suitability, scope of application, construction, ease of maintenance and service, ease of operation and adjustment, availability of parts and overall value for money.

Last year, entries range from an innovative hay rake and wireless remote system for tipping truck hydraulics, to a self-propelled sprayer and the revolutionary Morris Quantum air drill.

The award drew 24 entries with the Next F Series V-rake, entered by Schinckel Hayrakes, Naracoorte, South Australia, impressing the judges with its unique folding mechanism.

Highly commended was the Post Straightener developed by two mates, Daryl Irving and Dan Robinson, of Mudgee.

HMFD chairman Nigel Scheetz said the award was open to all machines on site released into the Australian market in the previous 12 months.

"A win at Henty gives the entrant valuable exposure for their product,'' Mr Scheetz said.

Simon Schinckel, Schinckel Hayrakes, received nationwide and international coverage with his win with the V-rake and is planning to enter his latest design, the Schinckle Opener Series, in this year's award.

"People do love the V-rake and our sales have been pretty good in the last nine months since Henty,'' he said.

"The rake is so simple and easy to use for people of all ages, and it has been a hassel-free machine.''

Mr Schinckle said the newly launched Series Opener was a universal machine able to be used in front of any type of rake, capable of turning two rows at once, and eliminated tractor driving on teddered or swathed rows.

An additional accolade is the Greater Hume Council Award for the best new Australian designed and manufactured machine. It is judged on the Monday and presented on the final day of the field days.

Last year it was won by Berrima Engineering, Deniliquin, for the Berrima Multi-Ted 12-6. Simon Schinckel won the 2018 Henty Machine of the Year Award for his innovative Schinckel V-rake.