Last week I attended the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) in Harrogate - a show that has now been running since 1989.
This year’s show was my 23rd on the bounce. As always a welcoming experience, with a busy schedule for all those who attend. I always find it pleasing to meet up with so many dedicated turf professionals.
Having spoken to many exhibitors, they all expressed a buoyant mood regarding the show and were pleased with the footfall and interest being shown by the diverse range of visitors. It will again will be interesting to hear the official figures of how many people attended this year’s edition.
Attendance enables me to accost many familiar faces and hopefully meet some new acquaintances. The days are usually busy, prolong late into the night, with many of the after-show get togethers.
As for new products and news from the show, Campey Turf Care Systems was marking its 40th anniversary in 2026, celebrating four decades of advancements and dedicated service in the sports turf industry.
To commemorate its 40th anniversary the Company has created a dedicated website and will be holding various celebratory events throughout 2026, including a special 40th Anniversary Open Day on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
Typically, they had an array of new products on show, one featuring a Fairway Trencher from New Zealand manufacturer TrenchIt, described as the 'Swiss Army knife' of trenchers.
The PTO-driven chain trencher offers controlled, digging performance, with operators able to select trench depths of either 800 mm or 1000 mm. Adjustable trench widths of 75 mm, 100 mm, 150 mm and 200 mm allow the machine to be configured to suit a wide range of fairway drainage, irrigation and services applications. A reduction gearbox enables precise control of digging speed.
No doubt this will be a game changer for many golf course greenkeepers wanting to do their own drainage work and at around 20K could be a good investment over time.
Iseki, under the new leadership of Alan Prickett (pictured with TurfPro owner, Duncan Murray-Clark), were gaining attention both for their tractor range but also the Raymo machines they now distribute. Alan said both the robotic and radio-controlled versions are finding their markets amongst commercial users who need to operate in banked or awkward areas. The stand featured the debut of the new GPS models equipped with a 48” Craft Deck, a 150Ah battery, and a complete range of accessories.
It was also nice to catch up with Austin Jarrett of Allett to talk about their latest new product – the new Omnia (Latin for 'everything') mower. Austin said this launch was important for the company as they had been working on the design for the past five years. The professional unit utilises a Briggs & Stratton Vanguard battery and we were told that it has been developed under an 'operator first' design brief - with every major design decision driven by reducing physical effort and simplifying operation.
I particularly liked the new style cassette systems that easily connect with the drive unit, offering several different working implements.
David Hart from Kubota said their stand, which they once again shared with Baroness, had been steadily busy. The focus for their exhibit, they said, was the innovation in their out-front mowing range, with the FC4-441 fitted with a deck offering a height of cut up to 7” taking centre stage. Also on show were compact tractors including the B2-261 and L2-452 which prove popular with golf courses.
One of the most eye-catching machines at the show had to be the Ecorobotix Alba ultra-high precision turf sprayer. Entering the turf care market for the first time, this machine uses the company’s Plant-by-Plant Care philosophy, treating only what’s needed, exactly where it’s needed. Powered by AI, the unit can identify and spray individual weeds or unwanted grasses with a 3x3 cm footprint, allowing users to “spray the size of a golf ball.” With its double spray bar and 2.25 working width, the sprayer detects targets in real time and applies treatments only where required.
It will be interesting to hear what the visitors thought of this machine that looked impressive - especially as it has 40 plus spray nozzles.
Also impressive for me was the Maya Golf software programme for golf courses, demonstrated on the Bernards stand. I caught up with MD Steve Nixon who said without doubt this product will help improve management and maintenance standards of a golf course using a unique combination of data collection via the AI-powered digital assistant that centralises virtually every aspect of golf course operations.
Users can feed in all their data analysis regarding the weather, water moistures, soil nutrient status, disease status, stimp meter readings and maintenance regimes that are then collated to give valuable information that helps users decide on the appropriate maintenance strategies to keep turf healthy and fit for purpose.
I was also impressed with the layout of the DLF stand where Derek Smith was dressed in a lab coat to promote the delivery of their newly published DLF The Grass Booklet - an informative guide to the wide range of amenity turf grass species, diseases and pests.
Again, there were a plethora of robotic devices on show at BTME, Tony Macer from Kress (pictured with Service Dealer editor, Steve Gibbs) said robotics have really crossed over now in the minds of professional users and with their cutting-edge machines now incorporating AI into their processes, users don't need to be as reliant on phone signals.
The range of robotic mowers is now mind blowing, with many major manufacturers now offering a robotic device.
Husqvarna, for example, as well as showing off a selection of their pro robotic models and handheld equipment, were promoting their multi-year agreement to become the new Title Partner of the British Masters. Jonathan Snowball was interviewed on the stand alongside Angus Macleod, director of golf courses and estates at The Belfry, by Sarah Stirk of Sky Sports' golf coverage. Jonathan spoke about the use of their robotics at the recent Women's Open and how far the technology had come. He also looked to the future saying, "Golf is increasing its use of robotics rapidly," and in reference to the mowers themselves, "It's about increasing the capabilities of the machines.”
I also caught up with some industry stalwarts visiting the show that included, Richard Campey, Roy Rigby, Damian Wormald, Keith Exton, Neil Stubley, Ian Smith, Gordon Gill and Roger Moore.
As for Trade shows, the next will not be until September when I will be attending the now popular GroundsFest at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. I caught up with the promoters of the show, who had a stand at BTME and were pleased with their increase in exhibitors for 2026.
As usual there was plenty of after-show networking going on in all the excellent restaurants, pubs and clubs. I always enjoy finishing off the evening with a trawl around Wetherspoons to see who’s about before retiring for some rest and recuperation.
