It's only the second week of the year and already our news items are rife with stories about trade shows and live events.

First up, kicking off the industry's event season, is LAMMA at the NEC. Since this show made the decision a few years ago to move inside, away from the potentially disruptive January weather, it seems to have gone from strength to strength. So much so in fact, that organisers are predicting that 40,000 visitors are likely to make their way to Birmingham across Wednesday and Thursday next week.

Our agricultural machinery editor, Martin Rickatson, will be in attendance at the show, seeking out the suppliers and developments that could be of interest to our independent ag machinery dealer readers - so look out for a comprehensive report in the next issue of the magazine.

Also of interest to dealers of farm machinery, is how successful Ripon Farm Services own show is continuing to prove. They have their 20th anniversary edition coming up in a couple of weeks, where they say they are expecting around 5,000 people to come through the doors. Those sound to me like genuinely impressive numbers - and not just for a dealer-organised show. One feels some national professional turfcare shows wouldn't be too disappointed with stats like that themselves!

Obviously the farming sector and the professional groundscare sector are different beasts, with different sized target audiences, but I am aware that getting more turf professional end-users to attend their trade shows is a much discussed issue. Laurence Gale for example, editor of TurfPro, our sister title for commercial turfcare practitioners, has been arguing for years that that sector's main events are way under-attended when one considers just how many people are employed in that field.

Finding ways to attract more turf professionals to support their events will be an area that show organisers will continue to explore and experiment with this year - and of course it's an area that dealers will have a vested interest in. Theoretically, shouldn't it follow that more show attendees with access to their facility's purchasing budget, means more follow-up business with local dealerships?

So of good news hopefully for our readers, is that it does seem that a couple of new kids on the turf care show block, believe that they have a formula that can continue grow both visitor and exhibitor support, further establishing themselves as fixtures on the industry's calendar. 

GroundsFest for example, have already announced a second, expanded edition for September, and now today we have confirmation that the Scots Turf Show will hold their sophomore bash in March - with organisers promising an increase in companies promoting their wares from an initial 16 to 50 this year.

It does feel important that Scotland has a national turf care show of its own again, following all these years without one after the old IOG's show ceased to exist. Hopefully for the organisers sake, and indeed for dealers in Scotland, attendance this year will follow the increase in exhibitors.

Elsewhere, coming up soon we have BTME in Harrogate, which never fails to attract a healthy number of golf greenkeepers to their trade association's gathering - not least for the level of highly relevant educational opportunities that are on offer to members alongside the exhibition (and the pubs!). And the ever-popular Doe Show will be taking place again in February.

So whilst discussion as we move through the trade show season will inevitably touch upon debates such as are there too many?; are they in the right venue?; and are they taking place at the right time time of year?, there does seem to be an argument to be made that more potential end-user buyers, looking at more innovative machinery options, can be good news for dealers.

Whether all the exhibiting manufacturers - and indeed the time-poor, end user audiences - agree that more shows equals more good times, is another matter!

Nordic electric compact vehicle manufacturer Paxster has awarded Boss ORV sole UK and Ireland distribution.

L-R: Thor Johansen (sales director, Paxster); Phil Everett (md Boss ORV) and Aleksander Safvenbon (CEO, Paxster)

Initially, Boss say they will launch the Paxster eCompact and eStretch all electric utility vehicles at LAMMA next week, followed by the appointment of Paxster dealers throughout the country. 

“We are more than pleased to have the opportunity to distribute these very strong and incredibly versatile vehicles,” said Boss ORV md Phil Everett. “They are built in Norway to superior standards for all conditions and are the perfect fit for all types of local, urban and country businesses and logistics."

Aleksander Safvenbon, CEO of Paxster A.S. said, "We have been looking for a partner with expertise in building a utility vehicle dealer network and Boss ORV fits the brief perfectly. We are looking forward to working with Phil Everett and the team at Boss ORV during the coming years.”

The Paxster Utility range will be shown for the first time in the UK on the Boss stand at 6.920 in Hall 6 at LAMMA.

Following its inaugural edition in 2023, the Scots Turf Show is returning to Hamilton Park Racecourse, with organisers promising an expanded exhibitor list and more education opportunities.

The second staging will take place on 6th March 2024 at Hamilton Park Racecourse, featuring exhibitors including Campey Turf Care, AllGrass, Dennis, SIS Pitches and John Deere.

The show says that one of the most notable enhancements for 2024 is the increase in exhibitors from an initial 16 to 50 this year. 

Alongside fellow Scots Turf founding committee member Alan Thomson, sales manager SIS Pitches, Campey product specialist Richard Heywood, says he has worked hard to bring this event to Scotland and is excited to see its early success and where it can go in the future.

"The Scots Turf Show was designed to bring the trade to the Scottish turf community, and it has quickly done that with a lot of success,” Richard said.

"Whilst it is primarily for Scotland, it's an event that is open to everyone, and I think the developments we're making demonstrates the show’s progress.

"As we enter our second year, the increased number of exhibitors reflects the growing importance of this event in the industry, and we're already excited for our advancements in 2025, where we will increase the area for indoor exhibitors."

Richard says the event brings together professionals, suppliers, and enthusiasts from various corners of turf management and provides a valuable opportunity for the grounds community in Scotland.

Feedback from the previous year has been taken onboard about the seminar programme, and the Show will again strive to provide relevant, valuable and comprehensive educational opportunities to those attending.

Registration is free via Eventbrite, with the first 500 guests receiving a bacon sandwich and tea/coffee on arrival.

Of great interest to our ag machinery dealer readers, LAMMA 2024 kicks off the industry's 2024 show calendar, taking place next week at Birmingham's NEC on the 17th and 18th January.

Organisers say that this year over 600 exhibitors will showcase the latest tractors, combines, arable and grassland machinery, as well as a wide range of new technology, services and tools for every sector. They have also said that approximately over 40,000 visitors are expected attend the show throughout.

Tickets are free and you can register your attendance by clicking here. This year, as an incentive to attend, organisers are offering the chance for one lucky visitor who registers to win a Polaris Sportsman 570, worth £8,499.

Opening times are Wednesday 17th January from 8.30am - 5.30pm and Thursday 18th January from 8.30am - 4.30pm.

Post-show, Service Dealer magazine will feature a full report from the event from our agricultural machinery editor, Martin Rickatson.

Ripon Farm Services’ New Year Show celebrates its 20th anniversary this month.

 
Held in the Yorkshire Event Centre at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, the event takes place on Wednesday January 24 and Thursday January 25 from 10am to 5pm - with 5,000 people expected to attend over the two days.
 
The dealership promises it will showcase the latest technology, agricultural machinery and ground care equipment. Product specialists from Ripon Farm Services, Ripon Ground Care and Ripon Technology will be on hand to provide advice on machine choice, set-up, optimisation and job management. Visitors will be able to explore the latest innovations, speak to experts and see the products up close.
 
The star of the show, says Ripon, will be the new John Deere 300M self-propelled sprayer. Richard Simpson, commercial director of Ripon Farm Services, said of the sprayer, "It was first introduced at Agritechnica in November last year so it’s great for it to be taking centre stage at our show in January."
 
He continued, “We can’t wait to welcome our customers and guests for what promises to be a very busy 20th anniversary event. A vast range of ground care machinery will be on display, from ride-on mowers through to pressure washers and hedge trimmers, plus a whole host of parts, tools and store items from brands like Milwaukee, Draper and Portek, to name but a few."
 
In addition, the Ripon Technology Team will be on hand showing off the latest innovations to help customers reduce input costs and improve profitability through more efficient operations. 
 
Richard continued, “Apart from the stand-out John Deere machines, we will be showcasing our high-quality machinery, ground care and parts brands, including Kramer, Bailey Trailers, Kuhn, Sumo, Dalbo, Ifor Williams, Stihl, Husqvarna and Spearhead."

According to figures released by the AEA, the number of agricultural tractors (over 50hp) registered in December was 10% higher than in the same month of 2022.

However, at 693 machines, the monthly total was below the average for the time of year over the previous five years. That brought the total number of agricultural tractors (over 50hp) registered during 2023 to 11,816.

Agricultural economist at the AEA, Stephen Howarth, said of these figures that they were, "..2% more than the year before and were slightly above the average over recent years."

He continued, "With the exception of the pandemic affected year of 2020, the UK tractor market has been remarkably stable in recent years, with annual registrations falling between 11,580 and 12,040 in six of the last seven years."

Husqvarna Group have announced that they are assembling a team of experts for their newly formed Husqvarna International Biodiversity Advisory Board.

The manufacturer says this panel of senior academic representatives will serve as their " . .guiding force in the realms of market and product development, aligning with the COP 15 commitment to safeguard and restore biodiversity by 2030."

At COP 15 in 2022, global leaders committed to taking "urgent action" to "halt and reverse biodiversity loss" by the end of the decade by protecting 30% of the planet and restoring 30% of ecosystems. Husqvarna say their Advisory Board aims to exchange knowledge and pinpoint opportunities that allow customers to make informed decisions regarding biodiversity. The Board will play a role in validating some of the current and forthcoming products and services from Husqvarna.

"The Husqvarna International Biodiversity Advisory Board will function as a guiding light and give direction to our future initiatives. We feel honored to have these distinguished experts as support in our continued journey," said Jonas Willaredt, vice president of sustainability affairs at Husqvarna Forest & Garden.

Members of Husqvarna International Biodiversity Advisory Board:

Chairman Thomas Elmqvist, PhD, professor in Natural Resource Management at Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University. His research is mainly focused on urbanisation, urban biodiversity, and ecosystem services.

Sandra Lavorel, functional ecologist at the French CNRS with 20 years’ experience in interdisciplinary research on global change, ecosystem services and sustainability, at scales ranging from local to regional and global.

Dr. Steven Handel, Distinguished Professor of Ecology Emeritus at Rutgers University, and formerly Visiting Professor at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, studies the restoration ecology of urban habitats. 

Cecilia Polacow Herzog, urban landscape planner, professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro.

Southern Machinery Ltd have announced the recent appointment of James Allen as territory sales manager for South East England.

James Allen

Philip Tutty, managing director of Southern Machinery, said, "James is based in Ipswich and will be will responsible for the South East of England, appointing new dealers, working with them and assisting with demonstrations and shows."

Philip continued, "The Hustler zero turn lawnmower range continues to grow in popularity and this year we are looking forward to launching the Surfer Pro 34" stand on."

James can be contacted on 07884 374445 or by e-mail james@hustlermowers.co.uk.

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