FARMERS, contractors and machinery dealership management and staff from across the eastern states will meet at Moree Showground on Tuesday for HarvestFest 2025, an inaugural, national event from Australian Custom Harvesters and supported by Moree Plains Shire Council.
The event, created by harvesters, for harvesters, covers two days of machinery displays, knowledge-sharing, talks and industry updates as farmers and contractors across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria prepare for what is expected to be another bumper wheat harvest this year.
Tickets are available at 2025 HarvestFest in Moree or at the gate.
Australian Custom Harvesters’ president Damian Talbot said major header manufacturers will be in attendance, with live walkarounds of the latest machinery and an extensive exhibitor line-up will feature machinery, chaser bins, technology, parts and service information.
Mr Talbot had been sitting on the idea of staging a national forum and field day for industry stakeholders, and put his plan in motion when he became ACH president.
“I came up with the idea a couple of years ago, and when I became president we thought we’d try and make it happen this year,” Mr Talbot said.
“We thought Moree would be a more central area for Queenslanders and Victorians, and for the people that wanted to come from those areas.
“The idea of having it in Moree was also to give the southerners attending, a chance to look at crops or jobs while they’re here.
“They’ll start up this way at harvest time, so they can come and have a look, and while there here, attend the event,” Mr Talbot said.
A Tuesday night dinner will feature an industry forum with guest speakers and industry leaders discussing what lies ahead and what the future of harvesting looks like at the moment.
HarvestFest also features the Australian Custom Harvesters Annual General Meeting, with a key presentation from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator about transporting headers across Australia.
“The NHVR is involved with us every year at our AGM, and give talks about moving machinery,” Mr Talbot said.
“We’ll also have Peter Darby from Darby Harvesting And Haulage in Rockhampton talking about the importance of contracts between farmers and contractors as well as a talk about OH&S in the industry.”
HarvestFest opens Tuesday with exhibitors, customers and industry stakeholders from across Australia.
Header presentations and walkarounds with brand representatives will be conducted between 9am and 2pm, with general inspections and discussions afterwards.
From 5pm, attendees at the HarvestFest dinner and Future Harvest Forum will hear from industry leaders about the future of harvesting in Australia.
On Wednesday at 9am, Australian Custom Harvesters will hold its annual general meeting for members and sponsors, with machinery and displays on-site for further discussion until 2pm.
Mr Talbot said Moree was the idea agricultural centre to hold HarvestFest.
“Moree is a massive cropping area, and that was the main reason we decided to have it here,” Mr Talbot said.
“We’ve had a great response with exhibitors and our idea is to have a targeted market, and that means anyone involved with harvesting – contractors and farmers alike.”
HarvestFest is also supported by Moree Plains Shire Council through council’s Event Partnership Fund.
Moree Plains Shire mayor Susannah Pearse said the Event Partnership Fund supports new and growing events that invite visitors to the Moree shire and spark positive economic activity.
“It’s inspiring to see the passion and dedication of our event organisers and committees who make Moree Plains a wonderful place to live, visit, and play,” Cr Pearse said.
Mr Talbot said the Event Partnership Fund was a tremendous financial boost and instrumental in getting HarvestFest up and running.
“The grant was a great help, and Moree Council was very excited to have us bring the event to town,” Mr Talbot said.
“We’re hoping HarvestFest will be an annual event in the Moree shire, for at least the next three years.”
HarvestFest is perfectly positioned pre-season, as contractors, farmers and stakeholders prepare for a bumper wheat harvest in the Moree district.
“The harvest is just around the corner – late October and early November,” Mr Talbot said.
“So far, it looks like being a fantastic season, with all the late rain we’ve just had. Everyone is pretty well set up now for the season ahead – some more rain in the spring and it could be phenomenal,” he said.
2025 HarvestFest
Where: Moree Showground
When: Tuesday-Wednesday, August 5-6
Time: From 9am
Tickets: 2025 HarvestFest in Moree or at the gate.
