Visitors attend a machinery presentation during HarvestFest at Moree Showground in 2025. This year’s event will feature more exhibitors and an expanded line-up of harvesting machinery and equipment. Image: Australian Custom Harvesters
Harvesting machinery, equipment suppliers and industry specialists will return to Moree Showground next week for the second annual HarvestFest.
Organised by Australian Custom Harvesters, the two-day event gives contractors, growers and members of the public direct access to major machinery manufacturers, with presentations, equipment displays and discussions focused specifically on harvesting.
HarvestFest will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 11 and 12. Tuesday’s program will run from 8.30am until 4.30pm, followed by drinks and the HarvestFest dinner from 6.30pm.
Australian Custom Harvesters president Damian Talbot said HarvestFest developed from a private annual gathering previously held for the organisation’s members.
“We used to run a private event for the members of Australian Custom Harvesters, and we’d travel to a town once a year, have our annual general meeting and visit some places,” Mr Talbot said.
“When I took over the presidency, I had this idea to have one event in one place where anyone associated with the industry, or who would like to be part of Australian Custom Harvesters, could go.”
Mr Talbot said Moree was selected because its location made it accessible to harvesting contractors and other industry participants travelling from Queensland and southern areas.
Contractors heading north at this time of year also use the trip to inspect crops and potential harvesting work ahead of the season.
Mr Talbot said HarvestFest offered a more focused experience than a broad agricultural field day, allowing visitors to spend time with manufacturers and compare harvesting machinery and equipment.
“It gives people a one-on-one experience with the manufacturers of all the harvesting equipment available out there, instead of going to one big field day where you’ve got all the jocks and socks as well,” Mr Talbot said.
“This one is more hands-on, and it gives the manufacturers one-on-one time with the people who matter to them.”
John Deere, Case, New Holland, Claas, Fendt and Gleaner are expected to be represented this year.
Each manufacturer will conduct presentations, with visitors divided into colour-coded groups and rotated between displays. Mr Talbot said the format would reduce crowding and encourage visitors to learn about brands they might not usually consider.
“It makes people experience other brands they don’t normally experience,” he said.
HarvestFest will have more exhibitors than last year, with displays covering machinery parts, augers, compressors, tractors, chaser bins and other equipment and services connected with harvesting.
The event returns after its inaugural staging at Moree Showground in 2025. The first HarvestFest brought contractors, farmers, exhibitors and members of the public together for machinery walkarounds, industry talks, displays and the Australian Custom Harvesters annual general meeting.
Mr Talbot said after the inaugural event that attendance and feedback had exceeded his expectations and he expected HarvestFest to become an annual event.
A one-day pass costs $50, while a $75 ticket includes admission on both days and the HarvestFest dinner. An event ticket is also included with Australian Custom Harvesters’ annual $350 membership.
The Moree Show Society committee will sell steak sandwiches and drinks during the event, while local coffee business Spill the Bean will also attend.
HarvestFest will be held at Moree Showground, McElhone Street, Moree. Event information, the full program and ticketing details are available through the official HarvestFest website.
