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ore than 45,000 people and over 800 exhibitors attended last month’s LAMMA event –the highest attendance in the show’s 44-year history, say organisers A wide rangeof machinery launches and live demonstrations took place over the two-day event – held on 14-15 January at the NEC Birmingham. New features included a Dairy & Beef Hub, Innovation Trail and the Future in Farming Zone
Next generation
Young people in agriculture were a key focus, including the launch of the 2026 Young British Farming Awards. Now in its third year, the awards celebrate emerging talent and recognise how the next generation is positively shaping British farming.
Panel sessions included a look at ways to make regenerative farming profitable; and how to solve labour shortages in the dairy supply chain. Both were well attended by farmers and other industry stakeholders.
NFU deputy president David Exwood said: “If we want profitable, sustainable regenerative farming in this country, we need to get young people involved. They work differently, think differently and approach challenges in new ways.
Exhibitors included Essex-based HM Trailers, which exhibited a hooklift trailer and halfpipe body, HM336 low loader Trailer on air suspension, composite bowser trailer and a commercial dump trailer.
JF Hudson won a Bronze Innovation Award for its Ullmanna AI Inter Plant Weeder , which uses artificial intelligence to remove weeds by targeting plant roots rather than leaves. Industry specialists Bishop Jones reported good interest and footfall on its stand – dedicated to helping machinery dealers optimise profitability and optimise their operations.
Award winners
The overall 2026 LAMMA Innovation Award, which recognises excellence on agricultural engineering, was won by Agro-Vital for its Triplex nutrient management system. It fought off stiff competition from seven other Gold Award winners. Triplex is an advanced system which mixes soil and sap analysis with farm-specific data to create fully tailored liquid and foliar fertilisers, providing measurable productivity and sustainability benefits.
Agro-Vital managing director and owner Andrew Sincock said: “It’s a huge honour – to be recognised here in front of all of our peers is a huge achievement.”
Optimistic exhibitors
Visitors and exhibitors were largely optimistic – despite a challenging 12 months for the sector. Exhibitors reported strong footfall, good conversations and a willingness from farmers and contractors to explore new machinery and technology. Machinery manufacturers were positive – despite a slump in tractor sales. The Agricultural Engineers Association says new tractor registrations fell to their lowest level since records began last year.
The mood, though, was upbeat. Neil Macer, marketing manager for Case New Holland said: “LAMMA has been a successful show for CNH this year. With an almost entirely new line-up of machines on display, the stand was busy throughout the day.”
Interest was strongest in the latest technology, said Mr Macer. “It’s been a valuable opportunity to engage directly with our customers, hear their priorities and challenges, and showcase how our innovations can support efficiency in their businesses.”
For the first time, LAMMA included the CropTec event and Low Carbon Agriculture Show. This gave farmers and industry professionals a more connected view of the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture. The Low Carbon Agriculture Theatre hosted a series of discussions about farm fuels alongside a Q&A with Lord Bamford, which explored JCB’s investment in hydrogen technology.