The Farmers Mart Feb-Mar 2023 - Issue 85 | Page 24

24 EVENTS FEB / MAR 2023 • farmers-mart . co . uk
24 EVENTS FEB / MAR 2023 • farmers-mart . co . uk

LAMMA 2023 :

THOUSANDS CONVERGE FOR BIGGEST AGRICULTURAL SHOW IN THE UK

NEW features at LAMMA proved a big hit with visitors with nearly 34,000 people through the doors of the NEC , Birmingham on the 10th and 11th of January . Exhibitors were also delighted with the well-attended event with more than 65 % of the nearly 600 stands already confirming their return in 2024 .
As well the latest innovations on show and opportunities to earn BASIS and NRoSO CPD points , LAMMA organisers unveiled several show features for the first time , including the Demo Arena , LAMMA Torques seminar programme , NAAC Contractors Lounge and Health & Wellbeing Zone .
The Innovation Awards also returned for the first time in three years to recognise excellence amongst exhibiting businesses , in addition to the Young Engineer Award after a successful debut in 2022 .
Exhibitors reported that LAMMA 2023 was particularly busy with lots of interest and leads . Peter Smyth , UK Sales Director at Manitou , said : “ I ’ ve done 30 LAMMA
shows in my career , and this has been the strongest show yet . It ’ s had the biggest buzz of any agricultural show that I ’ ve been to in a long , long time . The customers have come out in droves and our sales team have been on fire . We ’ ve taken more than 100 inquiries and served over 1000 cups of coffee at LAMMA , and we will be back next year !”
Telescopic handler specialists Merlo celebrated their 30th anniversary at the show and used the occasion to promote their eWorker , a fully electric , battery-powered telehandler . Merlo ’ s James Knight said : “ LAMMA remains the biggest machinery show in the UK , providing the opportunity to meet customers face to face as well as showcasing our new kit and speaking to new and existing customers .”
Five exhibitors provided live demonstrations in the new Demo Arena , including the V6 760 fully automatic variable chamber baler from McHale . Eoin Clarke said : “ We were very pleased to be able to take part and would definitely like to come back bigger and better in 2024 .”
The Krone Easy Wrap 150 also drew the crowds . “ We had hundreds of people watching our bale-wrapping demo ,” said David Riches , workshop manager for Krone UK . “ People really like to see machines moving rather than just a static display . It ’ s been really good and something I ’ m sure will grow further next year .”
Eco Charger demonstrated its fully-electric Pioneer 4WD quad bike . Jon Hourihan , market and dealer development director for Eco Charger said : “ Driving it around the arena meant people could appreciate how quiet it is . It also gave us the opportunity to introduce the business , share some background and field questions and answers from the audience .”
The LAMMA Torques hosted a range of speakers across several seminars which provided timely advice on cost saving , increasing efficiency and finding new opportunities . Environment Banks ’ s Kerriann McLackland stressed biodiversity net gain schemes do not lead to land abandonment and that food production become a secondary , but still important , role for land under such schemes .
In the session on carbon farming , Thomas Gent from Agreena encouraged all farmers to engage with carbon measuring . “ We have the opportunity to harvest carbon credits , which can be traded if you wish . Even if you don ’ t want to go into trading you should start to get an understanding of it because it will become increasingly important .” Reducing carbon emissions and input costs went hand in hand , he said .
Machinery costs have increased by up to 300 % over the past 30 years , with the cost of running a mid-range tractor doubling from £ 10 / hour to £ 20 / hour , said Chris Sheldon , Agri Business Consultant with Brown & Co . Productivity had increased by 63 % over the same time . Accurate costing – with less guess work