General News
27 August, 2025
Crowds Flock to Speed for Mallee Machinery Field Days
A paddock just a short distance from Speed is the site of one of the region's biggest and most successful machinery field days.
Held August 6-7, the 2025 event drew at least 7000 people over the two days, with exhibitors almost to capacity.
The event has maintained its unique circular layout over the 47 years it's been held, with this year hosting 350 exhibitor sites, a number that could expand to 450 with site sharing.
Run by farmers for farmers, the Mallee Machinery Field Days brings together the best the region has to offer, including farm machinery you can operate with an app on your phone from your holiday destination.
MMFD president Phillip Down said the Wednesday event attracted a huge crowd of families and school groups; organisers were especially pleased to see people gathering in groups and enjoying the social aspect of the day.
"With the undercover seating area in the centre of the field and catering surrounding it, people meet up and chat even if they don't know each other," he said.
"It is the kind of event that fosters a friendly atmosphere where social meets business among like-minded people."
"People came on the second day, Thursday, ready to do business."
Mr Down also believes that the remoteness of the event means people who attend want to be there, and they make the effort to travel to it.
"It's one of the only, if not the only, field days that is not adjacent to a major town, so you know that the people attending have come for the event," he said.
"We hear so many stories of why people attend and where they have come from, and for many, it is almost a pilgrimage."
Organisers were particularly pleased to see the event continue to attract a high number, especially as farm numbers grow and farmers reduce.
"We call it the biggest display of farming machinery because in addition to the number of exhibitors, we have the space and the model that allows the big machinery to be on show so farmers can see the machinery they use up close," Mr Down said.
Perhaps no one is more surprised by the decades of success of the MMFD than the organisers.
"How can a group of farmers, Lions Club members, decide to put on a machinery expo in a paddock one day, and almost five decades later, it is still drawing crowds?" Mr Down said.
"It's not just machinery that's on show but the skill base of our farmers and their commitment to the region.
"When farmers get together, they can do almost anything because of their ability to adapt and conquer; they're resourceful. And another advantage is they know what their fellow farmers want to see."
Mr Down said he wants people to acknowledge that agriculture is not a backward industry and hopes the event shows pride and opportunity.
Staying true to their roots has been paramount in the loyalty of the exhibitors, volunteers, and attendees.
The committee has not advertised for exhibitors since the first event; they are either returning exhibitors or are attracted by word of mouth.
The health hub was particularly popular again this year, with 64 per cent of attendees being men over 40 years old.
"This is what we had in mind when we started this. Mates encouraging mates to front up and have a skin cancer check or their heart checked.
"They have taken the day off the farm to attend the field days, so we make it easy for them to take care of themselves while they are here."
Natimuk's Rob Sudholz said the Mallee Field Days were particularly interesting for him.
"These field days are especially beneficial for me because as a broad-acre farmer, it has so much for me to look at and an opportunity to see what's new on the market and to talk to like-minded people," he said.
Morrow's Motor Group from Horsham has been a regular exhibitor since its inception.
Gavin Morrow said, despite the drought, people were still interested in his site, and while some were not ready to buy on the day, he believed many were keen to see what was on offer for the future.
"The Mallee Field Days have a real country feel to them and I think that's what draws people," he said.
"In particular, the circular layout is popular, and the central area where all the food outlets, seating, and conveniences are, is also another attraction.
"It makes it easy for people to congregate and spend time together, and this part of the field days is an important part of people's well-being."
Guest speaker, former AFL great Tom Hawkins, grew up on the family farm in Finley and, since retiring from the game last year, has returned to join the agricultural community as a career.
Apart from talking about football and farming, his message was that no matter where you live or grow up, anything is possible.
A young boy from the bush with a dream, but with hard work and some luck that came his way, his dream to play footy like his father and grandfather before him came true.
Mr Down said the 25 mm of rain in the weeks leading up to the field days had sparked some optimism in the community.
"You can almost see shoulders lift and tensions ease," he said.
As well as many of the farms in the region being generational, the field days are also following that trend, with second-generation members on the organising committee.
