AT Mallee Machinery Field Days, visitors can expect a robust showcase of agricultural muscle: spreaders, muck spreaders, feed mixers, and roller mills — all lined up and gleaming under the Mallee sun.
And leading the charge again is Eastern Spreaders, a name synonymous with reliability, service, and innovation in Australian agriculture.
With premium machinery brands like Renn, Degelman, NDE, and Marshall on display, Eastern Spreaders’ stand promises a hands-on experience that’s hard to beat.
For Steve Freeman, owner of the family-run business, these field days are about much more than just selling equipment — they’re about community, connection, and a long-standing commitment to the industry.
“There’s probably a couple of reasons we keep coming back,” Mr Freeman said.
“One is to catch up with our clients, have a chat, and see what’s going on.
“The other, of course, is sales – but not in the way people always expect.
“You might not sell a machine off the site, but two or three years later, someone who saw it here will come back and buy it. It’s about getting your product out there so people can see it and touch it.”
While the digital age has reshaped how customers learn about farm machinery, Mr Freeman knows there’s no substitute for seeing and touching the real thing.
“A lot of people rely on technology and Dr Google, but there’s still a big group out there — and I’m one of them — who want to sit in it, touch it, and really look at it up close. There’s only so much you can do on a screen.”
Eastern Spreaders’ story began in 1989, when Mr Freeman started working alongside his father.
Back then, the business was modest – just three people. Fast forward 35 years, and the team has grown to around a dozen, servicing clients right across Australia, from South Australia to Queensland.
Today, Eastern Spreaders is the national distributor for several respected Canadian brands, including NDE feed mixers and Degelman machinery, as well as being a proud stockist of the Marshall spreader.
Despite that growth, the business remains grounded in its values, especially when it comes to service.
“We just had a client call — they’d done a load cell on their mixer, and we didn’t have one in stock. So we’re flying one in. Because if you’re feeding cattle, especially in dairy, you can’t afford downtime,” Mr Freeman said.
“Their rations are critical, and they’ve got to know what’s going in the mix. We do what we have to do to keep their machine going.”
The ag tech transformation hasn’t passed Mr Freeman by. In fact, he’s lived through it.
“When I started in 1989, we didn’t have computers or load cells – none of that electronic stuff. Machines were basic, like an old manual car. Now, it’s a different world,” he said.
Eastern Spreaders was ahead of the curve, introducing weighing systems on spreaders over 30 years ago.
Since then, things have taken off: GPS guidance, cloud-based variable rate mapping, and fully computer-controlled spreading systems.
“Back then, GPS meant a $25,000 laptop glued to your dashboard. Now your phone can do more for a tenth of the price,” Mr Freeman said.
“It’s just transitioned from basic to fully integrated, though we still offer simple machines too.
“Probably 50 per cent of the bigger machines we sell now have weighing systems and full computer control.”
With decades of consistent service and machinery that lasts, Eastern Spreaders has developed a loyal customer base.
“I was just on the phone to a client who bought their first NDE mixer from us 25 years ago,” Mr Freeman said.
“Now they’ve got three and are feeding 1200 cows. They just keep coming back. We’ve built a good name with our service, and the machines have been so reliable.”
Loyalty extends beyond the machines, though.
Mr Freeman credits their success to keeping spare parts on hand, ensuring that when breakdowns happen, the solution is ready, not weeks away.
“If you break down, you need that part right now. We carry parts for everything we sell, and if we bring something new in, we make sure we’ve got the spares too,” Mr Freeman said.
“That’s just how we do it.”
Mr Freeman speaks highly of the Speed field days, calling it one of the best-run events in the region.
“We’ve been going for years – apparently we’re one of the longest-standing exhibitors,” he said.
“It’s really well run, and they try to help you. We’ve got a lot of clients in that area, so we enjoy getting back there.”
He also praised the layout of the event – a circular design that makes it easier for visitors to see everything without needing multiple days.
