There’s the possibility it may have been an illusion, but what seemed like a cautious general optimism among a sizeable first day crowd this week at LAMMA 2026 gave the farm machinery dealer sector - and the exhibiting manufacturers supplying it - a little hope after another tough year, reports Martin Rickatson.

As with most multi-day exhibitions, the last day was notably quieter, but by the end of the show a number of exhibitors were reporting decent numbers of serious enquiries from stand visitors, despite continued pressure on grain prices and recent price cuts by many milk buyers. Some suggested that, as is usual with LAMMA’s January timing, the looming end of the tax year was having an influence, with the inheritance tax issue having reinforced a desire among some to pay as little tax as possible to the Treasury.

In addition, of course, the latest machine developments in capacity, efficiency, design and technology also encouraged visitors to consider new machines and ideas. High retail prices, though, continue to be among the key barriers to sale facing UK farm machinery dealers in a sector where commodity values have not kept pace and farmers are holding onto kit for longer. Many will be hoping, though, that based on the LAMMA 2026 mood, there is some light at the end of the tunnel, particularly as those travelling from all different directions to the NEC at Birmingham will have seen some decent-looking crops promising a potentially good harvest. That, though, is some time away…