I was fortunate this week in my capacity as editor of the journal dedicated to the dealer network, to be invited to hang out with the movers and shakers of the industry for a few hours at the AEA's Annual Conference.
The event took place once again in the stunning Institute of Civil Engineers building, located in the shadow of the Houses of Parliament, It saw a series of talks in equal measures enlighten, concern and entertain the room of mostly manufacturer representatives, but which also included a handful of invited dealers. Alongside these presentations, the AEA took the opportunity to introduce its new president for this, their 150th anniversary year.
First up to address the delegates was Baroness (Minette) Batters, the former president of the NFU, a position that she held between 2018 and 2024. Her story of this turbulent time in British politics and its relationship with the agricultural sector was both absorbing and enlightening.
Having to deal with four different prime ministers in the space of six years was quite the challenge, Baroness Batters told the conference. For example, however difficult Boris Johnson was to deal with, ("I write the lockdown rules, but I don't know what they are"!), he was not as much of a "nightmare" as Liz Truss! Baroness Batter's talk was a fascinating glimpse behind the curtain at the recent struggles faced by the farming sector and an insight into where the market finds itself currently.
Next up was the concerning element of the day's agenda, with the information that the director of the Institute of Fiscal Studies, Paul Johnson, had to impart. He prepared the audience for his talk right from the off, letting everyone know that he'd be showing a series of economic charts, all heading in the wrong direction! And this was all before knowing exactly what Orange Tarriff Day on Wednesday would entail - but being fully aware that "Tarrifs will hit growth.".
Paul actually apologised when he told the crowd that every forecast was getting worse. He also believed that there is a high chance of further tax raising measures being announced by government later in the year. And to add insult to injury, he also stated that Brexit has meant that the UK economy is in 3 or 4 % worse shape than it would have been otherwise. All in all, quite a startling presentation and one that left everyone with an awful lot to think about.
Luckily, to raise the room's spirits before lunch was philosopher, neuroscientist, and comedian, Paul Smit. Hailing from the Netherlands, Paul's entertaining talk focussed on how our brains work. Illustrated with many funny and quirky videos, Paul showed how powerful first impressions are; why we use routines; how difficult it can be to enact change; and why we can become addicted to constant, pleasurable dopamine hits.
Paul explained how our brains crave these continual short-term bursts of excitement - citing this as a reason for young people being glued to their screens - but stressed how important it is to have some off-time in order to relax. The fact that Paul was able to get the whole room laughing following all the plummeting graphs we had just been shown was testament to his energetic, amusing and upbeat style.
Following these guest speakers, pre-lunch, was the inaugural address by the AEA's incoming president, Sian Pritchard, managing director of Kuhn Farm Machinery. Sian's speech acknowledged there were great challenges ahead for the industry, but by working together these can be met and overcome.
Not least of these challenges, she believed, is the ongoing recruitment situation and the need to encourage young people to join our sector. "That will be my focus as president," Sian said. "We wish to inspire the next generation." She spoke of the tools that the AEA have at their disposal to help with this drive, asking the manufacturers and dealers in the room to help spread the word via materials available through We Are Landbased.
"If we don't tell our story, who will?" asked Sian. "We are one of the country's best kept secrets." She said that this anniversary year for the Association is the perfect opportunity to come together to show the world what the industry is about. "Let's make the next 150 years even more impactful than the last," she concluded.
Finally, following lunch delegates were treated to a moving talk by international rugby union referee, Nigel Owens MBE. His story of his struggles with his own self-acceptance, peppered with great moments of humour, was both touching and inspiring.
I must say, I believe this week's was one of the most enjoyable AEA Conferences I have attended. The mix of speakers hit a great balance that left delegates thinking and talking long after the day's events had wrapped up. The chatter, in fact, continued all the way around the corner and into the Westminster Arms!
