Show season is now well and truly underway with LAMMA taking place on Wednesday and Thursday this week at the NEC.

I'm sure plenty of our agricultural machinery dealer readers made their way to Birmingham to check out what was on show. If that was you, what were your thoughts? Did you see anything interesting or pick up on any vibes on how the industry is feeling at the start of 2024? Please let us know if you did.

Speaking to our agricultural machinery editor, Martin Rickatson (whose brief summary of the show you can read today before a more thorough analysis in the next issue of the magazine), he told me that whilst the show felt busy and saw the return of some manufacturers who hadn't been in attendance for a couple of editions, plus some interesting first time exhibitors, he said he certainly picked up on some doubt in the industry regarding what sort of year this one is going to be.

He said he felt there was some real uncertainty around the halls - and that this is likely being prompted by factors such as inflation and interest rates affecting prices and farmers' spending power. The question is then, to what degree those elements, plus other social and political issues, will impact the market this year?

I wonder if any of our dealer readers are picking up on that kind of thinking in the industry currently - or indeed are having those kinds of thoughts themselves?

It's BTME in Harrogate next week, which I'll be attending alongside other members of the Service Dealer and TurfPro teams, so it'll be interesting if we register any similar feelings in the professional turfcare sector.

I often think that shows themselves tend to be quite positive places. Obviously you always get show rumours doing the rounds and they are fantastic places for consuming all the latest industry gossip. But generally, with manufacturers showing their new wares and colleagues and peers coming together to interact and socialise, I usually find our sector's exhibitions to enjoy relatively upbeat atmospheres.

A lot of that can possibly be put down to the sense of the newness and innovation seen across the exhibitors stands. End-users can be excited about new machinery options for their facilities, whilst dealer visitors can view new kit from existing suppliers - or indeed seek out entirely new brands to themselves - to consider stocking in their showrooms. All of which can engender an atmosphere of potential good times and fresh starts to come.

Along similar lines, we've featured a couple of stories lately (including today with Cramer) about suppliers seeking to set up or enhance their dealer networks for newly introduced products. So I wonder if many readers are thinking about kicking this new year off with the introduction of some new brands to your sales offerings?

That's clearly a decision never to be taken lightly, the adding or replacing of a franchise. But it is one that all dealers will face at various moments. Sometimes it will be thrust upon dealerships with the redrawing of manufacturer's territory maps, other times it will be an entirely self-generated, business decision to shake things up.

So with these couple of trade shows for the differing market sectors and with activity amongst industry suppliers, I wonder if there is much appetite as we commence 2024, for dealers to be embracing new franchises? There can be an inevitable excitement in perusing new avenues, but also of course, the risk of the unknown.

So please, if you are thinking of taking a plunge with a different brand this year - or indeed are sticking firmly with what you have - let us know what your thinking is behind your decision?