The entries must meet the criteria of having a practical on-farm application, be based on an original idea of the entrant and not be in full-scale production at the time entry.

HMFD chief executive officer, Belinda Anderson, said Agri-Innovators was aimed at tertiary and university students, farmers, backyard tinkerers and innovators.

"Entries can be any agribusiness invention, ranging from a mobile phone app or computer software program to the largest tillage machinery,'' Anderson said.

"This year's entrants will receive exposure to the agricultural market place and the opportunity to network with potential manufacturers.''

Temora, New South Wales, farmer and the 2018 Agri-Innovation winner for an auto sheep feeder called The Shepherd, Justin Dunn, encouraged all aspiring inventors to enter their concept in the Agri-Innovators Award

"At some point you have to take off - it may be not finished or perfect but you will never get to that point until you have it out there commercially," he said.

The Shepherd received nationwide media coverage from the win at Henty with around 50 units sold after the event and went on to win the NAB Agribusiness Award of Excellence at the Australian National Field Days.

The Shepherd is a solar-powered, new generation smart feeder incorporating automated technologies. The units are now fitted with a 4G remote camera with a 300-degree view, and also an SMS remote controller which sends alerts via text message.

People wishing to enter the Agri-Innovators Award can contact the HMFD office on (02) 6929 3305.