Farmers faced a dilemma when Wednesday 5 March dawned sunny and comparatively warm after weeks of predominantly wet and miserable weather. While the annual Farm Expo event at the Kent Showground at Detling, now in its sixth year, was offering its usual outstanding showcase of everything the agricultural industry could possibly need, the temptation to get out on the land was no doubt too much for some.

For those who made the trip to the showground, there was plenty to see, with the usual broad range of exhibitors displaying their wares, everything from insurance to solar PV opportunities and from mobile sheep dipping services to combine harvester tyres.

It was once again an outstanding show, combining the opportunity to check out the latest machinery supplies and services with a chance to chat with friends, neighbours, suppliers, customers and fellow professionals.

It may have been the weather, which has in past years seen visitors forced to puddle jump over the mud while wearing umpteen layers of warm clothing but this year allowed some to relax in shirtsleeves – the mood was optimistic, despite the current pressures on farming and farmers.

At the Crawfords Group stand, one of those sited in the external display area, Charing branch sales manager Adrian Denny was one of many enjoying both the sunshine and a steady stream of visitors.

“It’s another good show and it’s been a good chance to network and chat to existing customers and potential new ones,” he said. “It’s been interesting to see that the customers I have spoken to have all been positive.

Crawfords’ impressive display, which won the Best Agricultural Machinery Stand sponsored by South East Farmer, featured a number of high-end tractors, including Massey Ferguson’s 425hp 9S, the Valtra S416 and the Fendt 600 Vario series, a four-cylinder range that tops out at 220hp.

“I think footfall may have been down a bit because of the weather, with some farmers out doing spring cultivations, but it’s still been a busy show and we’ve had lots of interest,” said Adrian.

Also on the Crawfords stand was machinery from the likes of Manitou, Amazone, Lemken, Heva, Isuzu, Can-Am and Indespension trailers, a new franchise offered by the dealership.

Steve Pack, from Steve Pack Agricultural Services, also said he had enjoyed “a busy morning” dealing with a steady stream of enquiries and catching up with existing customers. “This is always a good show and is held at just the right time of year,” he commented.

Steve was highlighting a range of liming and fertiliser products, including Envirocal, a quick acting and highly reactive lime alternative containing many trace elements which is cheaper than standard lime because it is a by-product of sugar refining.

Also outside following a successful show ‘debut’ inside the exhibition hall last year was Kent Towing Solutions, which had invested in twice as much space this year after finding Farm Expo 2024 an ideal way to showcase the company’s wide range of trailers across brands including Erdé, Indespension, Tentbox, Nugent and Tickners.

“Last year showed us the benefit of getting our name out there, meeting potential customers and showcasing our products,” said sales manager Tyler Cox. “We’ve been equally pleased with how well the show has gone for us this year.”

Having been coming to the show for the past four years, Lister Wilder’s Ashford, Kent-based agricultural sales manager Jay Broster shared the upbeat view of Farm Expo’s ability to showcase products as well as offering a chance to relax, chat and network. He also liked the new layout, which put the external stands in a more accessible location.

“I’ve seen lots of existing and potential new customers,” commented Jay, who said the Kubota tractors on the Lister Wilder stand were increasingly being seen as a good value alternative to some of the bigger brand names on the market.

Inside, VIP guest Olly Harrison, a video blogger when he isn’t looking after his 1,500-acre cereal farm on the outskirts of Liverpool, paid tribute to Farm Expo and said he hadn’t appreciated the scale of the event.

Olly became a YouTube success story by accident, after the BBC asked him to provide his own footage of an interview during the pandemic, when Covid-19 rules meant their reporter couldn’t film him. He now uploads farming-based material to his social media channels “most days” and has been a prominent campaigner against the Government’s current plans to change the inheritance tax rules.

“It’s a friendly show, with lots to see,” he said. “I also like the fact that you can get around most of it in an hour or so if you need to, or you can spend all day here if you have the time.”

Olly also helped judge the winning trade stands, with the awards going to:

  • Best Agricultural Machinery Stand Crawfords Group
  • Best New Trade Stand UK Farm Gates
  • Best Trade Stand Burden Bros Construction
  • Most Informative Stand Kent Wildlife Hub

Visitors to the show could also buy clothing and tools, chat to agencies including the Rural Payments Agency and UK Power Networks, and talk to banks, insurers, planning consultants, agronomists, agricultural charities, land agents and surveyors, amongst many other professionals.

Tom Wilson, associate director with the BTF Partnership, interviewed towards the end of the afternoon, summed up the positive nature of the busy, one-day event. “It’s a great way to bring people together in uncertain times,” he said. “I’ve been here since 8.30am and I’ve only spent three minutes away from the stand.”

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