Inside AgriTurf: Recent Episodes
Chris Biddle
Inside Agri-Turf speaks to those at the sharp-end of the farm and grass machinery industry which ranges from powerful 500hp farm tractors to lawnmowers for the home, via equipment used in the upkeep of golf courses, cricket and football grounds, parks and open spaces, forests and the care of the countryside. As new technology and robotics come increasingly on-stream, we will talk to manufacturers, dealers, industry representatives and end-users in order to report on this fast-moving, innovative and essential sector that often flies under the radar of public recognition.
After four years, I have decided to bring down the curtain on my Inside Agri-Turf podcast for reasons that I explain during this episode.
It's been an exciting and highly satisfying journey that I would not have missed for the world.
Huge thanks to all the wonderful guests from all over the world who contributed their time and expertise on a range of thought-provoking episodes - and to the listeners who tuned in and download almost 12,000 episodes.
Sincere thanks to some special contributors for their valuable help and advice, including:
St John Craner, rural sales and marketing guru in New Zealand Agrarian Ltd
Dan Pratt, Customer Service specialist DAP Consultancy
Wesley Baker of Founder of Canterbury AI Wesley Baker
LISTEN to the full first regular episode with Ruth Bailey and Keith Christian from June 2020
VIEW all the episodes since 2020
Thank you and best wishes to everyone engaged in land-based engineering
Chrischris.biddle@btinternet.com
This is the first of a series of monthly episodes called AGRI-TURF AGENDA, an audio magazine with some of the current news stories of interest or relevance to the land-based engineering community.
This February 2024 issue carries the news of the collapse of the Small Robot Company. Whether small scale could be better than big scale farm autonomy featuring Kit Franklin? Could the tractor become a political weapon in the UK with an eye-witness report from Dan Pratt in Paris? Why have I recently had a battery implanted in my back? The overkill of turf shows.
01:56 Small Robot Company runs out of runway
09:20 Retro-fitting existing machinery for an automated farm.
12:15 Why have I recently had a battery implanted in my back?
14:45 Could tractors become a political weapon in the UK?
22:20 An over-kill of turf shows?
INSIDE AGRI-TURF WEBSITE
Episode produced, hosted and edited by Chris Biddle
What is the media today? It used to be newspapers or magazines - or broadcast media, television and radio. Today, anyone can be a ‘journalist’ spreading news, views, comment and opinion through social media – that is largely unrestricted and unregulated.
To help me answer that question, I’m delighted to be joined by Andrew Harvey for 30 years a main presenter for BBC Television News, and latterly for ITN.
After leaving the television arena, Andrew set up and now runs Harvey Leach, a media training company.
During this episode we cover the value of establishing good press contacts, and also advice on how to react when a crisis situation attracts the interest of the media.
Andrew also provides a fascinating insight into his days presenting television prime time news bulletins.
LINK
Harvey Leach Media Training
Dan Schultz describes himself as an agribusiness psychotherapist - an eye catching description if there ever was one
Without the need for a ‘patients’ couch, Dan helps agri-tech companies around the world think differently about how they market and commercialise their products for this new software driven age.
He says that the evolution of agriculture will be more about the evolution of business models than new pieces of equipment or technology.
Despite that, Dan is not an exponent of ‘in with the new, out with the old’.
“Although we will be working in this super, highly technical software age, the one thing that is never going to change is that you are selling to a farmer, you are selling to a business, you are selling to a person’
Dan Schultz website
Dan Schultz on LinkedIn
I've taken extracts from Inside Agri-Turf episodes over the past four years, featuring some of the women who have successfully carved a career in land-based engineering so helping to counter the image of it being a male dominated profession.
The episode includes a tribute to the late Caroline Drummond MBE, the driving force behind LEAF who died in 2022 at the age of 58. She had appeared on a panel discussion on Agricultural Engineering and the Environment, recorded in February 2022 just weeks before her untimely death.
The guests featured in this episode are:
01:30 Caroline Drummond MBE (LEAF) - full episode
10:26 Marion Perrett-Pearson (Severn Trent Water) - full episode
15:12 Laura Bassnet (Ernest Doe Ltd) - full episode
25:15 Lauren Savage (AP Air Europe) - full episode
32:00 Poppy Burrough (JCB) - full episode
Today I'm introducing a new show IN THE MIX.
During the past three year over 120 guests have featured on the Inside Agri-Turf podcast. All have had tales to tell, advice to pass on and experiences to relate that are relevant to those working in this extraordinary land-based engineering industry.
Tucked away in our back-catalogue are some wonderful contributions, some a reminder of challenging times such as working through the pandemic.
IN THE MIX will be published monthly in addition to the regular output.
Extracts featured in this first episode, together with time-stamps are:
04:20 The Role of Trade Associations (Episode 2) featuring Ruth Bailey (AEA) and Keith Christian (then BAGMA) on how the associations worked together during COVID-19
12:22 From Tanks to Tractors (Episode 24) with Jeremy Gibbs of Forces Farming and Will Foster, Ben Burgess Ltd on opportunities in land-based engineering for those leaving the Services
25:58 The Road to Resilience (Episode 114). Ultra runner Andrew Findley on the ways to meet and conquer those times when the going gets tough in business and in personal life.
27:42 World Cup to Grass Roots (Episode 69). Keith Kent headed the pitch management team at Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium for 15 years, before being appointed to lead the pitch management team at the Rugby Football Union's Twickenham stadium
Small businesses (SMEs) are the heartbeat of the UK economy with almost 400,00 founded each year by those with a desire to follow their dream.
But who supports the founders?
In this episode I talk to Ollie Austen, co-founder of the peer-to-peer networking group Start-up2standup.
Started in 2020, the group is tailored exclusively for start-up founders who wish to connect with other entrepreneurs to learn, share ideas, seek answers and access talks and events to help improve and grow their business.
There are around 5.6 million SMEs in the UK, which is defined as a business organisation with 1-49 employees – but revealingly 5.3 million of those are classified as micro-SME’s with 1-9 employees!
LINK
Start-up2standup
In the first of a two-part episode on staffing, PAUL HARRIS of Real Success Ltd provided down-to-earth and practical advice on RECRUITING the right staff. He advised employers not to panic when faced with sudden staffing needs. Careful planning is necessary to identify likely candidates, leading to crafting an offer of employment - with legal obligations.
In Part 2, Paul focusses on RETENTION. He says that clear, upfront and two-way communication with all members of staffing on a regular basis is the golden rule for ensuring, as far as possible, that loyal, skilled staff - stay loyal. Good working conditions and positivity will often outweigh issues of money.
Paul Harris's 'Magic Formula'
(S+K+A) + A = P
(Skills + Knowledge + Attitude) + Alignment = Performance Score
Paul explains at 20:42
LINKS
Real Success Ltd
LISTEN to Paul with Part One on Recruitment
Possibly the biggest challenge facing businesses today is recruiting the most suitable staff, and then taking every step necessary to ensure that they stay in the company or organisation.
In a two-part episode on Recruitment and Retention, I talk to Paul Harris, the founder of Real Success Ltd, a company specialising in meeting the staffing requirements of the farming community. His down-to-earth and highly practical advice is relevant to the land-based engineering sector – or any business without a fully functioning HR department.
In this first episode, Paul advises not to panic when faced with sudden staffing needs. He says careful planning is necessary and clear steps to identify candidates, leading to crafting an offer of employment with legal obligations.
LINKS
Real Success Ltd
Indeed.com
Real Success Indeed website
Andrew Findley is an experienced competitor in ultra endurance running events ranging from 200 km races in the 50 degree heat of the Sahara to a 300 km race across the French Alps in the biting cold - whilst climbing the equivalent of Everest three times.
The quality that all competitors need in such events is resilience – which can simply be summed up as the ability to keep going. In other words “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”.
But it is never just about toughness, there are many other qualities that Andrew has discovered during the events.
Today, Andrew is a motivational speaker talking to groups and businesses about resilience. Of being able to cope successfully with the bad or difficult times – and you can be assured that Andrew experienced many of those during his participation in extreme conditions.
In this episode, Andrew talks about the conditions he faced, and what he found out about himself during the events that could help those facing challenges in business or life itself.
A link below will take you to an article Andrew wrote for Sorted magazine
LINKS
Andrew Findley website
Article: The Road to Resilience
In this episode, St John Craner, connects the two important elements of The Art of the Sales Conversation, that of listening, and then asking the right questions at the right time and in the right way.
He says "I think it's really important that if you want to succeed in sales, you need to be a student of psychology. You need to get curious and study the basic laws of human nature and behavior. Psychology is a rural sales superpower; of that I'm absolutely convinced"
"There are three magic words that you should always say in your conversations, if you want the conversation to keep going. They are 'Tell me more'. ."
LINKS
The Art of the Sales Conversation - Part One
St John Craner on LinkedIn
Website
AriensCo, the US parent company of British lawn tractor maker, Countax have announced that the production of both Countax and Westwood tractors at Great Haseley in Oxfordshire will cease by the end of 2023 –the Great Haseley site will be used as a sales and service operation for the home market only.
The Ariens statement suggests that there is no future for Countax or Westwood garden tractors made in the UK, or anywhere else - and have confirmed that there are no plans to use the Countax or Westwood brand names in the future.
In this episode I look back over the extraordinary + 30 year history of Countax which started in 1990, and includes extracts from an interview I recorded in October 2021 with the founder Harry Handkammer
Countax UK
AriensCo
Episode produced and edited by Chris Biddle
In the first part of his series of The Customer is always Right, Dan Pratt, founder of DAP Consultancy talked about different types of customers, their behaviour, and ways of successfully diffusing difficult situations.
In this episode Dan says that receiving a complaint should often be looked at as a positive business opportunity – and at relatively low-cost.
He also talks about goodwill gestures which can often work wonders - and how to practically deal with negative on-line reviews which are often unjustified.
LINKS
DAP Consultancy
EPISODE NOTES: The Importance of Creating Goodwill amongst Customers
LISTEN TO PART 1 of The Customer is Always Right?
ROUND TABLE PANEL with Dan Pratt. Interested? EMAIL Chris for details
The recent New Scientist Live event in London, provided the farming and food producing industry with a wonderful opportunity to present its credentials to a largely non-rural audience - and to children.
Reflecting on the event and the ‘terrifyingly insightful questions’, are Anna Eccleston, Commercial Director for the Farmers Weekly, Richard Charles, After Sales Manager, AGCO Corporation and Daniel Fasham from the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) who was representing the We Are Land-based Engineering campaign launched at the end of 2022.
The We Are . . . campaign organised and manned an information point and quiz - and acted as a gateway to the machinery and interactive displays provided by AGCO, John Deere and Kuhn UK in the land-based engineering section
LINKS
New Scientist Live
Farmers Weekly
We Are Land-based Engineering
AGCO Corporation
John Deere
Kuhn UK
'The Customer is Always Right' was a mantra instilled into staff by Gordon Selfridge when he opened his landmark London department store in the early 1990s.
Does that still hold true for businesses in the 21st century?
Dan Pratt, founder of a customer experience agency DAP Consultancy says "Yes . .except when they are wrong!"
Dan has worked in customer relations most of his career in a variety of industries. He once manned a customer complaints phone line "being shouted at for 8 hours a day"
In this episode he describes the different types of customer, and how to categorise and deal with complainants. He also talks about ways of combatting negative, and often unjustified, online reviews.
This the second episode in our new podcast The Agri-Turf Academy Show and ideally complements the first episode on selling by St John Craner (link below).
DAP Consultancy
The Art of the Sales Conversation by St John Craner
The first episode of The Agri-Turf Academy Show, a new podcast to complement the Inside Agri-Turf shows which have notched up over 10,000 downloads and featured more than 100 guests from across the land-based engineering sector.
This opening episode, The Art of the Sales Conversation (Part One) is delivered by St John Craner,(pronounced Sinjin) founder of New Zealand-based Agrarian, a leading rural sales and marketing company.
St John's key message is 'The problem with sales, is selling. Stop selling and start serving'
LINKS
Agrarian
St John Craner LinkedIn
To complement this Inside Agri-Turf podcast, I am delighted to announce the creation of a new show.
The Agri-Turf Academy will focus on people not products. It will publish episodes of relevance to anyone working in, or associated with, the land-based engineering sector featuring advice and tips on sales and marketing, customer relations, recruitment and retention, display and merchandising, well-being issues, social media - and much more.
All delivered by experts in their field.
This episode includes brief extracts from two of the early episodes, both focussing on the most important person to your business, the customer. These are:
The Art of the Sales Conversation by St John Craner, who runs Agrarian, a leading New Zealand based sales and marketing specialising in rural sales
The Customer is Always Right? by Dan Pratt founder of DAP Consultancy, specialising in helping companies sharpen up their customer experience
Described as the World’s Greatest Festival of Ideas and Discoveries, New Scientist Live (NSL) will this year have Farming and Food Production as its largest feature. The 2023 edition of NSL will be held from 7-9 October at ExCel London.
The talks and hands-on visitor experiences featuring the innovative and ground-breaking ways that food is produced is being curated by the Farmers Weekly in partnership with a collective of commercial and educational partners from across the agricultural sector.
In this preview of the event, Anna Eccleston, Commercial Director and Project Leader at the Farmers Weekly and Kit Franklin of Harper Adams University, one the speakers, talk about how their initial displays at the 2019 NSL proved highly successful - and why an enhanced presence at NSL 2023 will aim to inform and educate consumers of the route from farm to fork utilising the latest state-of-the-art technology.
LINKS
New Scientist magazine
Future of Food and Agriculture NS microsite
We Are Land-based Engineering
John Deere Ltd
AGCO
Kuhn Machinery
"The greatest thing since the Industrial revolution" are amongst the opening words by Wesley Baker, Founder and CEO of Canterbury AI.
In this podcast, Wesley provides an overview of the likely impact that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will have on us all in clear and no-nonsense language.
AI is not here to take jobs, if it does, they will be replaced quickly, he says. It will certainly reduce workloads and massively improve service and productivity.
He also says that a lack of funding for research and development is not reaching small, innovative companies who are the backbone of this country.
Websites
Wesley Baker
Cambridge AI
Blue Strawberry
This episode is another in a series I'm calling The Franchise Jigsaw.
And who knew that the collective name for a jigsaw enthusiast is a dissectologist?
My guest is David Hart, Managing Director of Kubota UK and President Business Transformation Kubota Europe BV.
As the consolidation of the UK farm machinery dealers network continues, so companies such as Kubota are taking the opportunity to offer a replacement main franchise to dealers who have been sacked by a major brand, or have decided to change their lead franchise due to unacceptable terms and conditions being offered.
However, as David explains the task of putting together a workable franchise territory for new dealers is never easy nor straightforward, particularly if several branches are involved.
And what are the priorities for manufacturers when they appoint a replacement new franchise?
David's experiences have confirmed that manufacturers in this position should always 'expect the unexpected'
A year after first publishing a comprehensive listing of the UK's Biggest Farming Dealers ranked by turnover exclusively for the Farmers Weekly, I catch up again with freelance agricultural journalist Peter Hill to deep dive his latest report..
The original report published in 2022 was based on dealers' financials for 2020, the latest published a few weeks ago reflects the figures for 2021.
A total of 45 dealers make up the listing, all of whom have a turnover in excess of £30 million. 2021 appears to have been a recovery year following the impact of Covid with all dealers in the list showing increased turnover despite supply problems.
The reports once again vividly illustrates the on-going consolidation in the UK dealer network.
Access the reports
2022 Report (2020 year) 2023 Report (2021 year)
After a summer break, Inside Agri-Turf podcast returns for the Autumn, Winter, Spring season.
Here are excerpts of episodes already recorded and news of an exciting addition for the Agri-Turf community. Forthcoming episodes are:
24 August 2023: Featuring freelance agricultural journalist Peter Hill talking about his published reports for the Farmers Weekly on Britain's Biggest Farm Machinery Dealers based on 2020 and 2021 financials. 2020 Report 2021 Report
31 August 2023: David Hart, md Kubota UK talks about the manufacturers role when a dealer switches its lead franchise from a competitive brand to Kubota.
7 September 2023: The use and likely impact, positive and negative, of AI (Artificial Intelligence) on small business by Wesley Baker, md of Canterbury AI Ltd.
14 September 2023: First in a two-part series, St John Craner, md of Agrarian Ltd, a leading rural sales company based in New Zealand, will talk about The Art of the Sales Conversation
How would Aidan, Aileen and Aimee - the clue lies in the first two letters of each name – describe the attractions of land-based engineering?
I have produced this episode using ChatGPT, posing questions, refining the text responses, using the read-aloud feature, allocating appropriate voices and recording for this podcast. You cannot edit the text in ChatGPT, so you hear the actual responses.
Commentators believe Artificial Intelligence could be the single greatest human achievement, but critics argue that it has the potential to be the most destructive.
I only participated in the foothills of ChatGPT, there is much greater sophistication being developed daily. As I recorded this episode, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was in Washington meeting US President Joe Biden with the implementation of controls on AI development high on the agenda.
A thought? Given that everything in cyberspace has been created by humans, I wonder whether the saying ‘garbage in, garbage out’ still holds true?
I have put a transcript of the ChatGPT ‘conversation’ on the Inside Agri-Turf website which you can access HERE
The human campaign to encourage greater understanding and participation is outlined on the We Are Landbased Engineering website
PODCAST produced on behalf of Autoguide Ltd, first published January 2022 - moved to Inside Agri-Turf channel to centralise all published episodes (May 2023)
A familiar sight at cricket grounds around the world, the Auto-Roller manufactured by Autoguide Equipment Ltd, reached its century in 2021.
Hand-built by craftsmen at the company's Wiltshire factory, the Auto-Roller is the choice of many leading groundsmen at Test and County grounds for the upkeep and preparation of their playing surface.
(0:41) The podcast traces the development of turf machinery used in cricket, starting with the invention of the lawnmower (as we know it) in 1832.
(05:20) Host Chris Biddle finds out more about the history of the Auto-Roller from Richard Robinson, the founder of Autoguide, and discovers more about the lengths the company goes to ensure comfort, ease of use and reliability.
(15:40) Chris talks winter rolling regimes with Auto-Roller user Gary Barwell, head groundsman at Edgbaston, home of County Champions Warwickshire CCC and famous Test Match venue. Gary also talks about the scrutiny of the pitch during a game, whether the captains often ask for his advice and why he feels that a variation in pitches around the country gives the game energy and spectator appeal.
PODCAST IS PRODUCED ON BEHALF OF AUTOGUIDE EQUIPMENT LTD
Further information: Auto-Roller website
This week, I’m proud to be publishing the 100th episode of Inside Agri-turf podcast, talking to my special guest Keith Christian, the recently retired Director of BAGMA about his remarkable career which including heading both trade associations for manufacturers and dealers.
Keith started life working in banking, but soon ‘found’ the garden machinery industry. Working first with a dealership, Burlinghams, then a manufacturer Spear and Jackson who were UK Stiga distributor at the time.
He then moved to set up Claymore Grass Machinery to distribute a range of overseas brands including Bolens, Masport, Stiga, Simplicity, Solo, Yanmar, Roberine and others. In doing so, he organised the much coveted, but unofficial, Claymore Travel Club.
During this time, Keith was elected President of the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) representing UK manufacturers, importers and suppliers of farm and garden machinery.
After Claymore was sold to Farm and Garden Machinery, Keith ‘crossed the floor’ and in 2007 was appointed to head the UK dealer representative body BAGMA (British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association).
At the time, BAGMA was part of BIRA (British Independent Retailers Association, formerly British Hardware Federation). In many respects,it was not an ideal fit, and in 2021 the AEA bought BAGMA.
And so, it created a full circle for Keith, who officially retired a BAGMA Director in March 2023.
Photo courtesy of BAGMA Bulletin
The Agri-Turf machinery industry has long wrestled with finding a readily understood definition of what it is and what it does - and what three words best sum up its attraction?
Officially categorised as Land-based Engineering, the challenge for those recruiting is to catch the eye and capture the interest of potential new employees in around 5 seconds according to the latest definition of attention span in this digital age.
In December 2022, the cross-industry Land-based Engineering, Training and Education Committee (LE-TEC) developed a new campaign, We Are Land-based Engineering, designed to utilise all the current social media platforms to explain and expand on all the opportunities it offers.
In this episode, Ruth Bailey, CEO of the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) and Gareth Ford, Digital Media and Marketing Specialist at the AEA discuss the concept of the campaign, the planning, content and early response from the industry itself, from colleges - and the general public.
Gareth has conducted many filmed interviews for the campaign with those currently working in Landbased Engineering, from apprentices to managers and business owners. They are asked what three words sum up the industry for them? The most common responses include 'rewarding', 'varied', 'long term', 'security' and 'innovative'
We Are Land-based Engineering website
Campaign video
Want to get involved or have a story to tell? info@wearelandbased.engineering
From an apprentice himself, Ken Smyth is to today general service manager at leading dealership Ernest Doe Ltd, overseeing the service departments and transport fleet at Doe's 19 branches with 180 technicians and over 160 vehicles.
He has overall responsibility for the company’s service provision for agricultural machinery, construction equipment, professional turfcare machinery, garden machinery and viticulture, small tractors and machinery for fruit growers and vineyards.
Ken talks about his early days as an apprentice, his work overseas and of then joining a manufacturer before returning to the dealer trade. He describes the recruitment into Doe’s Apprenticeship scheme and how ‘it is never too young’ to start 'planting the seeds' amongst school pupils about the exciting opportunities offered by the land-based engineering industry – once they understand what is meant by the term.
He says “No other industry provides you with such a wide range of skill-sets. It will teach you more than you will ever learn doing anything else”
Ernest Doe Ltd
We Are Land-based Engineering
Is there enough collaboration and discussion between suppliers and their dealers about business management and maximising sales and service opportunities?
They are, or should be, business partners with common aims, but the relationship rarely goes beyond the order book.
To discuss, I'm joined by Jerry Hanss who has extensive experience in establishing dealer networks. We talk about benchmarking, finance managment, reduction of downtime, managing brands, service absorption and more.
LINKS
Hanss Group Consultancy
Microsoft Power BI
HIVE QR
Young agri-tech entrepreneur, Will Dunn, talks about his new innovative app, Ag-drive, which was born out of practical farming experience – and resulted in him winning the top innovation award at the recent LAMMA show.
Ag-drive is a cloud-based app for agricultural contractors and farmers to help manage the business, from job planning through to completion, with the ability to send invoices linked to accounts packages such as Quick Books, Sage and Xero,
Ag-drive provides a truly paperless system making every farm contracting business accountable and traceable. The system is also being used by businesses and contractors outside the agricultural sector.
Will describes the development process, the testing, the constant tweaking and preparing the app for launch. He has recently returned from Australia after taking part in a research trip organised by Innovate UK.
Ag-drive website
Campbell Scott spent over 30 years with Massey Ferguson and was Director Marketing Services AGCO EAME Region Massey Ferguson brand when he left in 2018.
Last year, he founded Atomic Tractors, a company focussed on developing zero-emission power units for tractors, working on hybrid versions utilising hydrogen power cells and battery.
A devotee of the engineering principles of Harry Ferguson, Campbell is also working on an electrically powered adaptation of the iconic Ferguson TE20 (Little Grey Fergie) - a futuristic model using innovative technology aimed at small farmers who need a simple machine to carry out multiple jobs
Atomic Tractors website
We are pleased to introduce Branded Podcasts, production of bespoke podcasts for companies and organisations to promote their products or services, provide news or advice, promote events - or anything!
Our regular Inside Agri-Turf episodes will remain free of advertising inserts, whilst the paid for Branded Podcasts will be totally dedicated to the company or organisation.
This podcast contains a short, edited example of a podcast produced for Autoguide Ltd to mark the centenary of their Autoroller used at Test Match and leading cricket venues around the world.
FURTHER DETAILS of Branded Podcasts
IN his early days, John Ledwidge loved football, and in particular Coventry City FC, but didn't know what a groundsman was - or did.
Today John is Head of Sports Turf and Grounds at Premier side Leicester City with a role that not only encompasses overseeing the preparation of pitches at the King Power Stadium and Seagrave training ground, but also responsibility for the Club owner's golf course, two polo fields, gardens and the pitches at Belgian 1st Division side Oud-Heverlee Leuven.
He is also the brains and driving force for the innovative multi-million pound Sports Turf Academy at Leiester which is now in its second year offering training courses, trials and research, technical and tournament support.
John received the prestigious Alex Millar Award at the 2022 Grounds Managment Association (GMA) Industry Awards, whilst his Leicester City grounds team won the Professional Football Grounds Team Award.
If that's not enough, John has recently gained his pilots licence and can view the stadium and training ground from the sky to check that everything is looking good.
Leicester City Football Club
Sports Turf Academy
The second of our Agri-Turf Talks panel episode of 2023 focusses on mental health and well-being challenges facing the agricultural and turfcare industries. Our panel is:
ALEX PHILLIMORE Head of Communications and Development with The Farming CommunityNetwork (FCN), a charity supporting farmers and farming families which helps approx. 6000 people each year with a number of issues, including mental challenges. FCN runs a confidential helpline (03000 111 999) open 7am-11pm 365 of the year.
TOM JOHNSTON Tom was a guest on Inside Agri-Turf in May 2021 when he described how he experienced depression and a series of mental health issues as he took his first steps into agricultural engineering. He decided to return to college and connected with the turfcare industry and started his own turf machinery repair business serving customers across Fife and central Scotland
STEVE DUDLEY-BROWN. Steve has been in greenkeeping since he was 16, working in the UK and abroad and was a golf course manager for over 13 years. Today he works for the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and is currently leading a campaign aimed at training 100 mental health first aiders to support greenkeepers and other staff through any difficulties they may be experiencing.
LINKS
The Farm Community Network (FCN) Tel: Helpline 03000 111 999 (7.00am - 11.pm)
British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (Launch of First Aiders)
Johnston Turf Machinery
Podcast with Tom Johnston May 2021
Farm Safety Foundation - Yellow Wellies
Samaritans Tel: 116 123
This is the latest in the series of Agri-Turf Talks panel discussions first launched in 2020 which has previously featured topics such as The Future of the Dealership, Agricultural Engineering and the Environment, Challenges of Recruitment and Combatting Supply Issues
This episode features an all-women panel discussing career opportunities in an industry often described as being full of 'middle class, middle aged men'.
Chris Biddle hosts the panel comprising Poppy Burrough, Sales Support Specialist JCB Agricultural Sales and Marketing, Hannah Robinson, Operations and Marketing Manager Brian Robinson Machinery, Lauren Savage, Technical Trainer AP Air Europe and Jackie Evans, Head of Grounds, Wellington College.
In a refreshingly open discussion, the panel talks about sexism, women's thought processes v men, lack of industry focus on opportunities for women, and their personal role models.
Photo credits: JCB; Hannah Robinson, AGCO and Ben Wright for Grounds Management magazine
A special episode for me as I celebrate 60 years as a member of the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), the most famous active cricket in the world and guardian of the laws of the game.
To mark this milestone I’m joined by Karl McDermott, MCC Head Groundman responsible for the upkeep and preparation of the pitches and outfield at Lord's Cricket Ground, The Home of Cricket.
Brought up in Ireland, Karl spent his formative years as a groundsman at Clontarf Cricket Club, Dublin but always had the ambition to get into the professional game. He joined the grounds team at Worcester, moved to Hampshire CCC before successfully applying for the role at Lord's, the pinnacle for players and cricket lovers around the world.
His first season (2019) included the World Cup Final, an Ashes Test and a Test Match against Ireland, only to be followed by months of isolation in 2020 during lockdown.
Karl talks about weather watching, the Lord's slope, hybrid pitches, 'Bazball' and handling adverse press comment.
Lord's Cricket Ground, The Home of Cricket
Succession planning for small family businesses can never start early enough says Heather Wildman. With over 26 years' experience of working with both farmers and industry, Heather, who runs Saviour Associates, has faced many instances of families struggling to agree how their business enterprise should move forward
Succession will inevitably happen whether we want it to or not. There is a finality for business owners who want to retire and handover their legacy to the next generation.
Heather's key points, in addition to starting discussion amongst the family as soon as possible, are to make a record of all conversations for future reference and be totally transparent, putting everything 'on the table'
Heather suggests a starting point is to consider the possible impact of the 6 Ds: Death, Disability, Disaster, Divorce, Disagreements and Debt on the family
Website
In 2018, Anna Jones set up a group called Just Farmers to establish a network of farmers who could respond to enquiries from the media in an honest, straightforward and no-nonsense way – eliminating jargon that might be unfamiliar to journalists and the general public.
Anna has also written a book, Divide, in which tries to make sense of the fragile and sometimes fractious relationship between town and country – communities that Anna herself has straddled.
Here is someone who grew up on a family farm on the Welsh borders with a heritage stretching back five generations, but also lived the city life, experienced the ignorance and mistrust of how our food is produced – and even joined an Extinction Rebellion meeting.
Anna talks about the rationale behind the formation of Just Farmers and the issues raised in her book.
JUST FARMERS website
CLICK for Divide on Amazon
For this first episode of the 2023 season, we head down-under to New Zealand where I catch with St John Craner, an Essex boy, who now runs a successful sales training company for agribusiness clients across New Zealand, Australia and the US.
He is also the host of the Rural Sales Show podcast produced out of his offices near Napier on the east coast of the North Island.
Brought up on a farm, St John worked for several leading ad agencies before setting up his own company, Agrarian Rural Marketing, advising companies across the agri-business sector on the special strategies required when selling to the farming community.
Below listeners can find a link to download a free copy of St John's e-book, How to Succeed in Rural Sales (hardback normally $20)
This episode has been sponsored by the British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA) who have been providing advice, support and benefits to independent agricultural, garden and ground care machinery dealers for over 100 years
LINKS
CONTECT to St John Craner on LinkedIn
DOWNLOAD free copy of How to Succeed in Rural Sales
LISTEN to episodes of the Rural Sales Show podcast
WATCH Clayton Christenson (Harvard Business School) on Disruptive Technology (You Tube 7 minutes)
The 2023 season of Inside Agri-Turf kicks off shortly with a fascinating episode about the psychology of selling to farmers with St John Craner, founder of Agrarian NZ and host of the Rural Sales Show podcast in New Zealand
Beforehand though here are some extracts from recent episodes that illustrates the can-do attitude that pervades our industry. It features
01:18St John Craner intro
02:38Ben Matthews
08:48Geoff Webb,
19:58 Harry Handkammer
29:18John Ryan
34:42Chris Boiling and Ian Beecher Jones,
42:36Peter Driver,
46:18Peter Arrand and David Withers
To listen to the full version of any of the above episodes go towebsite
REVIEWING the past 12 months are David Withers, President of AEA (Agricultural Engineers Association) representing manufacturers and suppliers and Peter Arrand, President of BAGMA (British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association) representing the dealer trade.
Both Associations, are now housed under the same roof following AEA’s acquisition of BAGMA in July 2021, but both retain their individual identities and staffing.
Topics covered include the integration of the two Associations, the latest We Are Landbased Engineering campaign, industry shows, balancing supply and demand, membership benefits, T-Levels, dealer benchmarking, prospects for 2023 – and much more
The launch of a new show, Groundsfest, to be held at Stonleigh Park in September 2023 has once again opened up the debate about amount of turf management shows in the UK.
As things stand there will be four shows (at least) in 12 months focussing on turf management products and services.
In this episode,Chris Bassett, the md of Fusion Media, organisers of Groundsfest talks about the rationale behind the new event, whilst Peter Driver, who has managed trade stands for manufacturers over the years, will argue that the turfcare industry ideally needs one major event.
02:50 Chris Bassett on Groundsfest
24:15 Peter Driver on the dilemma for exhibitors
Turf shows scheduled for 2023
JanuaryBTME Harrogate
June Sports and Grounds Expo, Malvern
September: Groundsfest, Stoneleigh Park
December:SALTEX, NEC Birmingham
We talk about agriculture, we talk about horticulture – and now we should increasingly talk about viticulture as vineyards spring up across the British landscape, and the quality of home-produced wines not only improves year-on-year but are also scooping top international awards.
To discuss the growth of wine production in the UK, I’m joined by two wine afficionados who also, conveniently, have close links with BAGMA Chris Boiling is the editor of the associations house magazine, the BAGMA Bulletin and a respected wine journalist, wine traveller and wine maker.
Ian Beecher Jones was the Director General of BAGMA for 12 years from 1994 – 2006 before setting up his own agricultural consultancy. In 2017, he and his wife Tess established JoJos Vineyard near Henley on Thames and in September this year released their first batch of a white wine.
Links
JoJos Vineyard
Chris Boiling website
Denbies Wine Estate
In this episode Chris talks to John Ryan, the co-founder and driving force behind two highly active Facebook groups, Lawn Care Legends and its spin-off the Dealer Network.
Whilst independent turf contractors and the dealers that supply them with equipment are on different sides of fence, interaction between them has proved highly beneficial says John.
With so many hostile and confrontational issues blighting the effective use of social media, John explains how he aims to establish a 'chilled-out atmosphere on-line' with respect between members of the groups being the watchword.
He explains how he deals with postings that may lead to legal actions. 'Whilst there is freedom of speech, there's no freedom of consequences when you use that freedom' he says.
Lawn Care Legends have already held social and business sessions at SALTEX, and John says something similar may be on the cards for the Dealer Network in time
A mixed content episode this week during which I share a few stats on the performance of Inside Agri-Turf podcast just after its second birthday.
I also preview forthcoming episodes including a conversation with John Ryan, the driving force behind Lawn Care Legends and the Dealer Network, two active groups on social media.
I'll also be talking wine growing in the UK to Chris Boiling, editor of the BAGMA Bulletin, wine journalist and wine traveller, and to Ian Beecher Jones, Director General of BAGMA from 1994 to 2006 but now a wine grower in Oxfordshire.
Finally, I will be reflecting on a recent joint announcement by three trade associations involved in the turfcare industry about closer collaboration - and the prospect of four turf shows in the next calendar year with Peter Driver who has been involved in arranging and setting up manufacturer stands for many years.
Timings
(00.38) Inside Agri-Turf stats
(04:18) John Ryan, Lawn Care Legends and Dealer Network
(09:10) Chris Boiling and Ian Beecher Jones on the UK wine industry
(13:23) The future of shows
In Part One of my conversation with Harry Handkammer we learned about the circumstances that led up to the creation of the https://www.countax.co.uk (Countax )brand, (now owned by https://www.ariens.eu (Ariens)) and a successful launch to dealers in 1990. In Part Two, Harry talks about winning a BBC Award as Business Survivor of the Year, of events turning full circle when he was able to buy Westwood, the company that threatened his survival, of building a Williams Formula One garden tractor, a JCB version, and of a Countax lawn tractor reaching 100mph on a Welsh beach. Lastly, Harry tells how https://www.servicedealer.co.uk (Service Dealer) magazine, which I had founded in 1988, played an important role in the ongoing marketing of Countax. (02:07) Winning Survivor of the Year Award (05:48) Westwood full circle (12:30) Williams Formula One garden tractor (18:00) JCB branding (21:45) The '100mph' garden tractor (28:30) Sale to Ariens (31:00) Role of Service Dealer
This is the 80th episode of Inside Agri-Turf published on 27 October 2022, the 80th birthday of podcast host and producer Chris Biddle. Birth of a Brand features Harry Handkammer, whose company manufactured attachments exclusively for a garden tractor manufacturer. In 1989, the supply arrangement was cancelled overnight. Faced with losing virtually all his business and having just moved into a new factory, Harry decided to build his own tractor which was designed, tooled and ready for production in just over three months. His newly created brand, https://www.countax.co.uk (Countax), went on to claim market leadership within three years and was subsequently acquired by https://www.ariens.com (Ariens), a leading US lawn and garden manufacturer. Harry’s story spanning 1989 to 2010 is told in two parts, Part One focuses on the formative years, and the events leading up to the birth of the Countax brand. Part Two (next episode) tells how Harry’s tenacity won him the BBC Business Survivor of the Year Award, the story behind a special Countax model designed in association with a Formula One team, the involvement of Stirling Moss -and breaking the world land speed record for a lawnmower.
Recorded on https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/world-mental-health-day (World Mental Health Day), ,Geoff Webb, CEO of the https://www.thegma.org.uk (Grounds Management Association )(GMA) opens up about the mental health challenges he faced during the past two years. Like many businesses and organisations, the pandemic hit the GMA hard, its showpiece event https://www.saltex.org.uk/homepage (SALTEX), a major contributor to the Association's income , was cancelled in 2020, and the 2021 event was in doubt until the last minute. Running the organisation, albeit with a strong team, took its toll on Geoff. "I couldn't see how my mental capacity was deteriorating, although others could" he says. Running alongside his mental issues, Geoff's health was also to take another turn. He suffered a heart attack, had to be taken to hospital - during which the paramedics in the ambulance were talking to him about the turf at Wembley! Geoff describes his experiences in a self-deprecating way, but it is clear that he has re-evaluated his work/life balance, particularly in these uncertain times and urges others to do so. (01:43) Managing SALTEX during the pandemic (09:43) #groundsweek and lateral thinking (17:35) Diversity in turfcare (20:30) Onset of mental health issues (30:23) Recovery and industry wellbeing LINKS https://www.memcom.org.uk/resource/the-importance-of-wellbeing-for-ceos-and-managers.html (Read Geoff's story) by Samantha White on memcom website https://www.samaritans.org (The Samaritans ) Tel: 116 123 https://perennial.org.uk (Perennial Helping people in horticulture)
In the second part of this look at the evolution of agri-turf machinery and equipment during the 70 years of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II (1952 to 2022), I consider the technological advancements in lawnmowers and grass cutting equipment with my guest Brian Radam, the founder and curator of the British Lawnmower Museum. The collection numbering over a thousand machines, sits above Brian's lawnmower sales and service dealership in Southport, Lancashire. It attracts thousands of visitors, particularly from overseas, who are fascinated and intrigued by the once proud manufacturing lawnmower manufacturing tradition in the UK. As well as many early models including the original blueprints, the Museum displays many machines donated by famous people, including from members of the Royal family. The Museum is often featured on TV and radio programmes including Antiques Roadshow and supplies machines to film and TV production companies featuring in hit shows such as Downton Abbey http://www.lawnmowerworld.co.uk/index.php (British Lawnmower Museum)
IN the first part of this two-part episode, I look at the advances in farm machinery during the late Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 year reign – from 1952 to 2022. From an age when horses were still at work on many UK farms but tractors were becoming more affordable, spearheaded by the iconic little Grey Fergie - up to today's highly mechanised farm featuring autonomous tractors, guidance systems and ultimate comfort and convenience for operators. My guest is Charlie Nicklin, chief executive of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE). Prior to joining IAGRE two years ago, Charlie spent 24 years in engineering roles with JCB Landpower, working on the design of several of the company’s well known products. In this informal chat, we could only scratch the surface on how we got from there to now . . https://iagre.org (Institution of Agricultural Engineers)
On the 7 September 2022, around 80 guests gathered at Springhill Barn near Pershore in Worcestershire to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Trust set up in the memory of Douglas Bomford, the driving force behind the invention of many well-known agricultural products still in common use today. The Trust’s aim is to support the future education, training and research in the design, production and application of agricultural machinery and equipment. The Trust also used the occasion to announce that its first patron is to be Dr David Llewellyn CBE, the former Vice-Chancellor of Harper Adams University. This podcast contains edited extracts from the speakers at the event. They were: (01:13) Jonathan Bomford (Trustee) (08:35) Nick August (Trustee/Chair) (17:02) Dr Paul Miller (Trustee) (27:42) Dr Nick Tillet (Tillet and Hague Technology Ltd) (31:44) Professor Jane Rickson (Cranfield University) (35:02) Dr Paula Misiewicz (Harper Adams University) (37:46) Dr David Llewellyn (Patron) Full details of the event, the programme, presentations and testimonials are available on the DBT 50th Anniversary website
AFTER spending much of his early life in Canada, Ben Matthews moved to Scotland where he initially worked in Health and Social Care. But approaching his 40th birthday, he decided he needed a change of career. One day, passing https://www.sruc.ac.uk/courses-training/campuses/sruc-elmwood-fife (SRUC Elmwood) campus he spotted a banner advertising a career in greenkeeping. It was to be his eureka moment. He enrolled on the golf course management course and was subsequently named as winner of the HNC Golf Course Management Student of the Year sponsored by https://www.deere.com/en/sports-turf (John Deere) and Scottish dealer, https://www.doublea.co.uk (Double A.) Then an opportunity cropped to become a seasonal member of the course management team on the Old Course at St Andrews for the 150th Open Championship this year. Always sports mad, Ben said he was ‘living the dream’ – and as you will hear, seasonal been converted to a permanent post at St Andrews This is really an uplifting story and a real live endorsement for a career in turfcare. https://www.sruc.ac.uk/courses-training/campuses/sruc-elmwood-fife (SRUC Elmwood, Scotland's Rural College)
After a summer break, Season Three recommences on 15 September, so I thought I'd compile a compendium of snippets from earlier episodes for the 6 months from February to July 2022. There are 20 voices shoe-horned into this episode of just over 30 minutes. The speakers featured are: (00:57) Caroline Drummond MBE (Tribute to LEAF founder) https://tinyurl.com/yd484zmw (FULL EPISODE) (03:07) Graham Parker (Ernest Doe) https://tinyurl.com/yzwzsvy5 (FULL EPISODE) (05:17) David Withers (Iseki UK) https://tinyurl.com/26aeb4xv (FULL EPISODE) (06:50) Simon Holmes (T H White Group) https://tinyurl.com/2p8wxe9d (FULL EPISODE) (09:01) Jeremy Gibbs (Forces Farming) https://tinyurl.com/26aeb4xv (FULL EPISODE) (11:10) James Tuckwell (Tuckwells) https://tinyurl.com/26aeb4xv (FULL EPISODE) (12:34) Stuart Goodison Grace Nugent (De Lacy Recruitment) https://tinyurl.com/yckus54p (FULL EPISODE) (14:26) David Kirschner (consultant) https://tinyurl.com/2p8wxe9d (FULL EPISODE) (15:08) Max Pearce (Excel Plant and KGM) https://tinyurl.com/2p9xf43u (FULL EPISODE) (17:26) Peter Hill (industry journalist) https://tinyurl.com/2p9ekbh2 (FULL EPISODE) (19:32) Martin Sanders (on mentoring) https://tinyurl.com/42svjc8r (FULL EPISODE) (21:25) Mark Daniel (New Zealand machinery editor) https://tinyurl.com/ytnypphc (FULL EPISODE) (24:06) Keith Kent (former grounds manager RFU) https://tinyurl.com/bde2k2y2 (FULL EPISODE) (26:34) Jimmy Broadhouse (aka Jimmy The Mower) https://tinyurl.com/yc3h7p3m (FULL EPISODE) (28:34) Stephen Edwards (InTurf) https://tinyurl.com/5dh4jswj (FULL EPISODE) (31:17) Jason Booth (Grounds Management Association) https://tinyurl.com/54ms86rx (FULL EPISODE) (33:18) Corey Doctorow (US journalist) https://tinyurl.com/2p9x9cby (FULL EPISODE) (36:16) Ruth Bailey (AEA/BAGMA) https://tinyurl.com/yr8szejp (FULL EPISODE) Other guests appearing during this season were: Charlie Nicklin (IAgrE), Chris Gibson (GGM Groundscare), Marion Perret Pearson (Severn Trent Water), Richard Charles (AGCO) and Howard Pullen (BAGMA/CLIMMAR)
A year after the eye-catching acquisition of the https://bagma.com (British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association) (BAGMA), the dealer trade association by the https://aea.uk.com (Agricultural Engineers Association )(AEA), representing manufacturers, distributors and suppliers, CEO Ruth Bailey tells Chris about the behind-the-scenes integration during the past 12 months. Although AEA and BAGMA are still two separate organisations, operating under the same roof, Ruth hints that might not always be the case and that ‘nothing is off the table’. "We are in an absolutely great position now, and are ready to move forward" she says In a wide-ranging chat, we covered: (01:38) Sorting the initial priorities (13:35) Reflections on post-Covid era (15:24) The value of dealerships (17:09) Industry consolidation (19:10) Pressing issues (22:28) Recruitment and awareness of our industry Episode is 28 minutes
Earlier this year, it was reported that tractors and combines worth more than $5m stolen by Russian troops from a John Deere dealership in Ukraine had been remotely disabled - and could not be used. It was a feel-good story in the midst of so many distressing reports and images coming out of this destructive conflict. But was the bigger picture more worrying? I speak with Cory Doctorow, author, Guardian journalist with a special interest in protecting human rights in this digital age. He says that whilst ‘kill-switches’ used to disable the machinery provide a security benefit, it is possible that widely available ‘hacking’ technology could also be used to disrupt the world’s agricultural infrastructure by those with more sinister motives. All of which feeds into the Right to Repair cases currently going through the US courts. It is also all about who owns the tractor, who owns data, and who owns the rights to the embedded software? Deere contends that a customer can never fully own connected machinery because it holds exclusive rights to the software coding. Some US farmers have attempted to unlock the embedded by purchasing illegal firmware –mostly developed by sophisticated hackers based in Ukraine! Episode is 43 minutes https://doctorow.medium.com/about-those-kill-switched-ukrainian-tractors-bc93f471b9c8 (Original Cory Doctorow article)
Jason Booth made the move from aspiring professional cricketer to grounds management. He now leads the Pitch Advisory Service (PAS), funded by Sport England, with the aim of achieving continual improvement in the playing surfaces at an estimated 75,000 grounds used for recreational and community sport. Since its formation in 2014, Jason says that the PAS has collected extensive data on the quality of pitches used across recreational sports and that almost 90% of those surveyed have shown improvement - and this has resulted in increased available funding. The podcast is 45 minutes and includes (01:55) From professional cricketer to grounds management (05:05) PAS origins and role (10:38) Changing sport participation and engaging volunteers (15:50) Access to PAS resources (21:02) Benchmarking pitch standards (25:40) Disruptions from weather, vandalism or pitch quality (30:30) Impact of Covid on recreational sport (34:26) Perception of grounds staff and career path LINKS https://thegma.org.uk/who-we-are/research-and-funding/pitch-advisory-service (Pitch Advisory Service) https://www.sportengland.org/ (Sport England )
The large scale growing and harvesting of natural turf only really began in the 1980/90s, but with the advent of high capacity machinery is now a year-round operation by specialist growers to meet an ever-growing demand from landscapers, parks, sports grounds and home owners. Chris talks to Stephen Edwards, who along with his twin brother Alex, runs InTurf, one of the UK's largest and longest established suppliers of natural grass. They discuss the turf growing cycle, the logistics and timeliness of the operation, irrigation, the ban on exporting turf to Europe since Brexit - and of course the fake (plastic) grass versus natural grass debate. Episode is 43 minutes LINKS https://www.inturf.com/ (InTurf ) https://turfgrass.co.uk (Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA))
Jimmy Broadhouse runs a contract grass cutting business. In 2019, he posted a photograph on social media of a council owned grass open space he had just cut with a comment "To the kids around here playing football, they think its Wembley - so I cut it like it is" That single post went viral and set in train an extraordinary chain of events that resulted in TV appearances, a tie-up with historic mower maker Ransomes and an invite to cut the pitch at Wembley Stadium. Today he is widely recognised as Jimmy the Mower, producing videos, making personal appearances, visiting sports clubs, offering a range of merchandise - and is regarded as a turf influencer. Jimmy talks to Chris about his whirlwind few years which he originally thought would blow over within a week. Episode is 37 minutes Jimmy the Mower website
Keith Kent has scaled the heights of his profession. He has presided over the preparation of pitches for the English Premier League, England football internationals, England Rugby internationals and the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final. Keith joined Leicester City as a grounds trainee, and was later appointed Head Groundsman at English Premier League giants Manchester United. In 2002, he changed codes when chosen by the Rugby Football Union to take charge of the pitch at Twickenham - the home of English rugby. Keith retired from Twickenham in 2019, since when he has continued his love of turf maintenance – but away from the spotlight. This is a terrific episode with Keith opening up about the joys of turf management, weather watching, hosting an NFL game – and his part in attracting the Rolling Stones to play Twickenham. Photo courtesy of https://www.groundstraining.com/ (Grounds Training)
Returning from a mid-season break, Chris reflects on some of the stories that have made news in recent weeks. 01:01 SHOWS: Reflections on the ever-changing show scene, and delightful memories about the origins of LAMMA by founders, Cliff Preston and John Sartain as it celebrates 40 years 17:03 TRACTOR PORN: The profile of the ag machinery industry shot up following the outing of an MP caught watching porn on his mobile, who claimed he was searching for tractor info 22:30 NO-MOW MAY: Did a laudable, but over-interpreted initiative, really cut through? Meanwhile opposition to the use of artificial grass is growing as RHS bans fake grass https://www.lammashow.com/ (WATCH LAMMA FOUNDERS FIRESIDE CHAT) (split into 3 parts of approx 10 mins each)
Earlier this year, the Farmers Weekly published a list of the UK's biggest farm machinery dealers ranked by turnover. Compiled for the FW by freelance journalist Peter Hill, the report makes for fascinating reading and confirms the rapid consolidation in the dealer network over the past few years. The report provides full details on the top 15 dealers, then outline information on a further 23 dealers with sales over £30m. Interestingly, and uniquely, the dealer group in the number one spot is owned by a manufacturer. The data is based on the 2020 accounts but subsequently a number of mergers and acquisitions have taken place which are noted in the report -and will mean that one dealer will almost certainly jump from No 12 spot to No2 if the report is to be repeated next year. Peter describes the amount of work involved in compiling the list, and that he had to cross-check the details of almost 200 dealers before publishing the final list. Read Farmers Weekly Britain's Largest Agricultural Machinery Dealers feature
After a long career with Honda, Martin Sanders is now assisting small businesses by providing business coaching and mentoring. In this podcast he explains the difference. For many years, Martin headed Honda's Power Products Division, and then went on to become Chief Financial Officer and Chief Audit Executive of Honda Motor Europe until his retirement in 2020. A trained accountant, Martin says that the most rewarding feedback and practical advice for businesses at the sharp-end, came from his time visiting and talking to dealers. And the most memorable yardstick or metric for judging business performance, the Lunchtime Test, came from a dealer. He understands how difficult it is to switch off when running a family business, and that a pair of outside eyes can help business owners see 'the wood from the trees' when day-to-day challenges get in the way of strategic planning Episode is 33 minutes Website https://martinsanders.uk/ (Martin Sanders – Business Coach and Mentor)
How do you go about finding new staff for key roles in your company? Finding the best people with the right qualifications and experience can be extremely time-consuming. You can either ‘do-it-yourself’ through advertising in the press or social media, or engage a specialist recruitment agency In this episode, Stuart Goodison and Grace Nugent of agricultural specialists https://www.delacyexecutive.co.uk (De Lacy Executive Recruitment) talk about the role they play in unearthing candidates with the right skills and personality before presenting to clients for interview. They say that the person is often more important than the role itself – and that companies should spend as much time on promoting themselves as a great employer as they do on selling the products and services they provide. Episode is 34 minutes https://www.delacyexecutive.co.uk (De Lacy Executive Recruitment)
I'm delighted to welcome as my guest, Mark Daniel, the Machinery Editor of New Zealand’s leading agricultural journal, https://www.ruralnewsgroup.co.nz/ (Rural News Group.) Many in the British agri-turf industry will remember Mark from his time representing Rustons Engineering, E P Barrus and Claas UK before he left for New Zealand with his family in 2002. Mark initially worked for a couple of New Zealand's largest dealerships before being appointed to his present role of Machinery Editor for Rural News Group in 2015 A Welshman, Mark now lives and works in the small coastal community of Raglan near Hamilton on North Island, and I spoke to him about the current farming scene in New Zealand, particularly the challenges of coping with the pandemic, as well as the relationship of the farming community with the current Labour administration in New Zealand dedicated to pushing a 'green agenda' For reference of UK listeners, many of the figures Mark quotes are in NZ dollars – currently worth around 2 $NZ to the pound sterling. https://www.ruralnewsgroup.co.nz/ (Rural News Group, New Zealand)
Do hire and sales mix - or are they different business models? Dealers often stock a few specialist machines to hire, or loan machines to cover breakdowns. However, they tend to view hire as time-consuming and risky with excessive paperwork to cover health and safety issues. They also believe hire takes away sales opportunities. Max Pearce sees things differently. He runs a plant hire company in Southampton and recently bought a local garden machinery dealership - and now runs both businesses side-by side as one company. He tells Chris Biddle about the benefits of an additional, and complementary, income stream - and of providing a valauble service to the cruise ship sector. Chris first reflects on the way firms like Cazoo and Cinch have disrupted the established second-hand car market - and wonders whether 'disruptors' might have an impact on the agri-turf machinery sector https://www.exseltoolhire.co.uk/ (Exsel Plant Hire)
QUOTING former Russian Agricultural Minister, Alexander Tkachev, the organisers of YugAgro, the largest Russian farm machinery exhibition, say that Russia needs ".. at least 180,000 new tractors and 80,000 new combines" to fill the gap in Russia's total farm machinery pool which has shrunk by more 50% in the last decade. No wonder major US and European manufacturers have ramped up their presence in Russia over the past 10-15 years. It is a country with huge farming potential, which has been starved of the machinery and new technology it needed to make the most of its natural resources. Manufacturers such as CLAAS, John Deere, CNH Industrial and AGCO have invested huge sums to establish state of the art production facilities, training and service support in a country where the sheer size of the region presents considerable logistical challenges. Today everything has come to a shuddering halt. Sanctions have been imposed and most leading manufacturers have announced that they are halting supplies as a result of Russia's decision to invade and wage war on neighbouring Ukraine, a democratic, independent country. Chris Biddle looks at their presence in the Russian market, and the difficult position they find now themselves in. He also quotes a Ukrainian arable farmer who says "Today I'm farming wheat , tomorrow I might be shooting Russians" - and who has already modified his farm truck to mount a machine gun. However, Chris preludes his analysis with a few words on the day that the Russians came to his home City armed with one of the worlds deadliest nerve agents - and ends by considering whether we need to re-consider our food self-sufficiency in the UK. Time stamps (01:08) The Salisbury poisonings (04:54) Russian farm machinery fall-out and short-fall (19:56) Release more land, grow more food. Source documents https://tinyurl.com/yx3fp3r6 (YugAgro show market analysis) https://tinyurl.com/y65n4w22 (Russian Agri-business (US International Trade)) https://tinyurl.com/typt59nx (Press releases from Rosspetsmash) (Russian Ag Machinery Association) https://tinyurl.com/2p9bwxy7 (Challenges for Ukraine farmers )(Sunday Times)
The agri-turf machinery industry will always be stronger with manufacturers and dealers working in harmony to provide customers with the best possible buying and support experience. But as the industry and technology evolves, what factors might impact on the future shape of the UK dealer network in the years ahead? In this Agri-Turf Talks episode hosted by Chris Biddle, a panel comprising James Tuckwell managing director of multi-branch John Deere dealership https://www.tuckwells.com (Tuckwells), David Withers , managing director ofhttps://www.iseki.co.uk ( Iseki UK )and Howard Pullen, Board Member of European dealer association https://www.climmar.com (CLIMMAR) share their thoughts. But first the panel considers the likely impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a fertile market for used tractors and machinery and the wider industry implications. The topics discussed are: (6:06) Ukraine (10:14) Prospects for new dealerships? (14:23) What makes a good dealer and supplier? (18:12) Availability of funding and dealer contracts (23:27) Long line dealers and niche opportunities (29:55) Challenges of dealer expansion (36:03) Staffing for new technology (41:32) Creating the right image LINKS https://www.climmar.com/ (https://www.climmar.com) https://www.iseki.co.uk/ (https://www.iseki.co.uk) https://www.tuckwells.com/ (https://www.tuckwells.com)
How well does the agricultural engineering industry present its Environmental Credentials? It is an industry that spans many disciplines aside from tractors and farm machinery. It encompasses horticulture, soil science, water quality, forestry, food processing, sports and recreation, renewable energy, robotics - and much more. A panel drawn from across the industry discuss the challenges and opportunities for getting a positive message to young people - and the wider world. The panel is Caroline Drummond MBE, Chief Executive of LEAF (Linking Environment with Farming) Charlie Nicklin, Chief Executive of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers, (IAgrE) Marion Perrett-Pearson, Senior Agricultural Advisor at Severn Trent Water Chris Gibson, managing director GGM Groundscare Ltd https://leaf.eco (LEAF UK) IAgrE https://www.stwater.co.uk (Severn Trent Water) GGM Groundscare
The annual Doe Show, staged by the multi-branch dealership, Ernest Doe Ltd has been held every year since 1960. The 2020 show, and always held during the first week of February, was staged a few weeks before the Government announced a complete lockdown due to the spreading pandemic. Determined to keep the show on the road, Ernest Doe Ltd sales director Graham Parker and his team started to make plans for the 2021 show - whatever the ever-changing restrictions. Graham describes how they put together a very different event in 2021, and still had to juggle Plan A, Plan B, Plan C for the February 2022 show as a second wave of Covid arrived. In the event, the shows survived - and resulted in record returns. Graham tells of fluctuating plans, sleepless nights, new technology and visitor feedback. The episode also reflects on the recent panel episode on recruitment and previews a forthcoming episode on proving the industry's environmental credentials Episode is 30 minutes https://www.ernestdoe.com (Ernest Doe Company) https://landbasedengineering.com (Landbased Engineering website ) https://inside-agriturf.com (Inside Agri-Turf website and all previous episodes)
For the third in this series of Agri-Turf Talks, a panel drawn from across the agri-turf sector discuss the issues they face recruiting new talent into the industry. The panel is: Richard Charles: After Sales Customer Care and Training Manager, UK and Ireland AGCO Corporation Simon Holmes : Group Service Manager Agriculture and Construction T H WHITE Group Jeremy Gibbs: Farmer and Founder of Forces Farming David Kirschner: Independent Industry Consultant Chris Biddle: Inside Agri-Turf Host Amongst the issues covered are the role of recruitment agencies, apprenticeships, training, the visibility of the industry to outsiders and much more. LINKS https://landbasedengineering.com (Landbased Engineering Careers) AGCO Academy Training Centre https://forcesfarming.co.uk (Forces Farming) https://www.thwhite.co.uk (T H White Group)
Season Three of Inside Agri-Turf launches on 2 February 2022 with a new episode of Agri-Turf Talks comprising a panel discussing the recruitment of new talent into the industry. Chris Biddle provides an overview of the forthcoming season and includes some tasty snippets from the opening episode. He also previews the launch of a new companion show Agri-Turf Agenda https://inside-agriturf.com (Inside Agri-Turf website) https://agriturfagenda.captivate.fm/episode/autoroller-100-years-not-out (Sample of Agri-Turf Agenda episode)
A wrap-up to Season Two of Inside Agri-Turf with a selection of edited recordings covering issues of dealer economics, equal opportunities, mental welfare and succession in the business. Those featured are: (01:08) Tim Lane (06:18) Steve Halley (09:07) Tom Black (12:32) Laura Bassnett (15:20) Lauren Savage (17:37) Poppy Burrough (22:13) Tom Johnston (28:14) Stephen Shortt (29: 45) Howell and Emyr Jenkins The clickable time stamps will take you direct to that section, including the introduction Many thanks to all my guests who featured during Season Two. The full episodes from May to December 2021 can be found on the https://www.inside-agriturf.com/episodes (Inside Agri-Turf website.) Season Three starts on 2 February 2022
Seasons Greeting to all the wonderful listeners to the Inside Agri-Turf Podcast. Now just 18 months old, the podcast been a terrific learning curve and a joy to produce as the listener numbers climb Thank you! This episode reflects on the year to date, and provides a few pointers to future episodes. Episode 55 is the penultimate episode of Season Two. The final episode from this season (Episode 56) will include a selection of stand-out moments and quotes from this season and will be published in early January 2022. Season Three is well into the planning stage and will commence on 2 February WIN! (05.30) I have just completed the production of a bespoke podcast for a manufacturing company in celebration of the Centenary of one of their products. A short excerpt of a user talking about operating the product in winter is at 05:30. What is the product? What is it being used for? Email your answer to chris.biddle@btinternet.com . . . and you could win one of the special Inside Agri-Turf coffee mugs
Chris Biddle hosts the second in the AGRI-TURF TALK panel discussion featuring Shaun Groom (https://merlo.co.uk (Merlo UK )and current AEA President), Angus Lindsay (Group Head of Assets and Fleet Management at idVerde) and Jason Nettle (Director, Winchester Garden Machinery). The panel discussion includes: 03:50 Current supply difficulties 16:10 Industry image and recruitment 26:20 The future impact of COP26 35:45 Dealing with adverse criticism Finally the panel are asked about their 'go-to' mottos or role models Episode is 48 minutes
Fossil fuels are on the way out - in time. What will replace petrol and diesel for the tractors and machinery used by farmers to produce food to feed the world's growing population? Host Chris Biddle examines the options - and reflects on the recent Annual Conference of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) with its theme of Future Fuels in Agriculture which co-incided with the COP26 Climate Change conference in Glasgow (03:50) Hear how school children are starting to Do, Do, Do as an antidote to protesters chanting of blah, blah, blah (05:40) How the President of the United States became the warm-up act for the the last IAgrE Conference (09:04)) Eureka moment for Chris Mann on exploding grass clippings and turning 'bad' methane into a cost saving fuel (14:23) Will hydrogen be the 'silver bullet'? Royal Academy of Engineering Ask the Engineer forum LINKS https://bennamann.com (Bennamann Website) Royal Academy of Engineering Forum: https://www.raeng.org.uk/events/events-programme/2021/november/ask-the-engineers-is-hydrogen-the-silver-bullet (Ask the Engineer Is hydrogen the silver bullet?) https://iagre.org/ (Institution of Agricultural Engineers) (IAgrE)
No, not the hit TV series about a dysfunctional family dynasty with the siblings at war over who succeeds the founding father (who still wants to retain a powerful presence in the company). With virtually every dealership or supplier in the agri-turf sector being a private family business, the challenges associated with deciding who is best equipped to take the business forward in a changing world are very real. I talk to Stephen Shortt, a leading small business strategist about the tensions, the planning, the dynamics, and the personal ambitions that come into to play when deciding on succession issues. Each family set up is different. Sometimes succession is a straightforward matter, at other times when several family members are involved, damaging conflicts can arise that can spread from the boardroom, to dining room and even the bedroom. Speaking from personal experience, Stephen outlines how potentially serious family disagreements, often as a result of dogmatic attitudes, can be diffused to the benefit of all concerned when deciding on succession planning LINKS https://stephenshortt.com (Stephen Shortt website) https://hub.eonetwork.org (Entrepreneurs Organisation)
With shows and exhibitions back on the industry calendar, I catch up with Kris Kiser, CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) organiser of the annual lawn, garden and landscape EXPO in Louisville, Kentucky - and with UK based freelance journalist Martin Rickatson of JMR Agriculture who has just returned from the Italian EIMA show in Bologna. Kris Kiser runs through the new branding for the Louisville Show for 2022, and both reflect on the two recent shows in the US and Europe. With organisers having to stage virtual shows over the past 18 months, will trade shows return to normal - and might we see the emergence of hybrid events providing on-line access to show events? Oh, and there's a brief cameo from Mulligan, star of the https://www.turfmutt.com (TurfMutt Foundation) LINKS https://www.opei.org (Outdoor Power Equipment Institute) https://www.jmragriculture.com (JMR Agriculture) Equip Louisville 2022 https://inside-agriturf.com (Inside Agri-Turf website)
For this 50th episode, I've invited four industry guests, all of whom have featured in earlier episodes, and all from very different backgrounds. They are Kit Franklin from Harper Adams University, and the Hands Free Farm Project; David Hart, managing director Kubota UK; Will Foster, formerly Tank Training Manager in the British Army now ag machinery technician with Ben Burgess Ltd and Lauren Savage, finalist in the AEA Technician for 2021 Awards and AGCO apprentice with Chandlers Farm Equipment, Bristol branch. The conversation was wide and varied from quotas on tractors and machinery in 2022, automated farming, apprenticeships, selling the industry to outsiders - and Jeremy Clarkson
Everybody is talking about energy. The cost, availability, sources – all against the background of the upcoming UN COP26 Climate Change conference in Glasgow. This episode features the views of celebrated US scientist Dr Lawrence Rocks who wrote The Energy Crisis in 1973 and who was closely involved in the establishment of the US Department of Energy under President Jimmy Carter. Dr Rocks talks about the impact of farming and food production on climate changes and says that a weather station on the moon would help provide valuable data to scientists and environmentalists. The interview is an edited version from the Mooch FM podcast series hosted by President Trump’s former Director of Communications, Anthony Scaramucci, who has kindly given me permission to use extracts. My other guests are Charlie Nicklin and Paul Hemingway, CEO and President of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAGRE) who preview the very timely 2021 IAgrE Conference on the theme of Future Fuels in Agriculture to be held online over Zoom on 3 November. https://www.mooch.fm (Mooch FM) https://iagre.org/iagre-landwards-conference-2021 (IAgrE 2021 Conference: Future Fuels in Agriculture)
Ahead of the 2021 Service Dealer Conference and Awards, Chris talks to two previous winners of Dealer of the Year Awards about what winning the accolade meant to the company, the staff - and most importantly the customers. Awards organiser Duncan Murray Clarke, Service Dealer publisher also explains the changed categories for 2021 intended to recognise outstanding performance and dealer excellence particularly during the COVID lockdowns and business restrictions. GGM Groundscare have won the Professional Turfcare Dealer title twice, in 2014 and again in 2019 whilst Strathbogie Forest and Garden won the Garden Machinery Dealer of the Year title in 2017. Chris Gibson (GGM) and Pete McArthur (Strathbogie) say that whilst the award meant a great deal to their staff - it was the customers who seemed to engage most in their win. Both put down the recipe for a winning dealer as good and clear communication with staff, with suppliers and with customers. Duncan Murray Clarke explained that, after missing a year, the 2021 Awards were a celebration for an industry that has performed with skill and ingenuity during a difficult period "I think the Awards this year will be very special" he says https://www.servicedealer.co.uk/2021-award-nominations (Service Dealer Awards )
Founded 70 years ago when Cyril Johnston met a young enterprising engineer, Douglas Hayter, https://www.cyriljohnston.com (Cyril Johnston & Co Ltd )has had a seamless relationship with https://www.hayter.co.uk (Hayter mowers) (now part of Toro) to the present day. The running of the family company then passed to Cyril's son, Dolway and David who have grown the business to encompass retail, hire, distribution and manufacturing. A year ago, Tom Black, who trained at accountants Price Waterhouse (now PCW) was appointed as Managing Director. As a family outsider, he tells Chris Biddle how he helped refocus the company on its core business of grass machinery after several years of diversification. He also tells how an outside consultancy was hired to help strengthen the company culture which was very successfully tested during the Covid trading restrictions. Tom also says he hopes the company will benefit from the recent decision to provide each adult resident in Northern Ireland with a https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-56937612#:~:text=%20Every%20adult%20in%20Northern%20Ireland%20will%20be,could%20open%20at%20the%20end%20of%20the%20summer (£100 shopping voucher) to spent in bricks and mortar businesses over the next couple of months
From a previous ownership by Electrolux, maker of Flymo mowers, Cheshire Turf Machinery has emerged as one of the UK's leading professional turf machinery dealers with an impressive client list that includes Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool. Managing Director Steve Halley describes the evolution of the business as it celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2021. He talks about developing a strong ethos amongst his staff, of coping with the COVID crisis, and the prospect of manufacturer owned dealerships. He also tells of an early encounter with a bank manager that shaped the company's reliance on having a strong financial base - and also the importance of a man called Bob
The first in a trilogy of podcasts called Dealernomics talking to three turfcare dealers about the economics and evolution of their business over the ages. First up, Tim Lane who started his business, ATH Machinery, 2 years ago, and just months before lockdown. He will be followed by Steve Halley of Cheshire Turf Machinery (established 25 years) and Tom Black, md of Cyril Johnston, Belfast (70 years) After holding senior management roles in a multi-branch dealership group, Tim realised a personal ambition by starting his own turf machinery sales and service business in the heart of Hampshire focussing on the golf course and professional users. That was in August 2019, and he spent the winter equipping his workshop facilities and contacting potential customers ahead of the 2020 season. Within months, he had to rip up his business plan as the pandemic hit and the Prime Minister ordered a lockdown. He talks to Chris Biddle about the initial shock and impact of the pandemic on the fledgling business and of putting a Plan B into operation. Two years on he reflects on progress, talks about issues of finding franchises, adding to his staff, some initial ‘wins’ for the business alongside mistakes made. He says keeping overheads as low as possible is essential – and that every ambition he has for the business in the future has to be matched by the funding available. https://athmachinery.co.uk (https://athmachinery.co.uk)
“We have the technology to blow little minds” That is the view of Josh Payne, Education Manager for the National Farmers Union (NFU). A former primary school teacher, Josh tells Chris Biddle in the latest Inside Agri-Turf podcast that the best time to engage children’s interest in STEM subjects, demonstrated through the prism of farming, food and nutrition is during their very early school days. By the time they get to secondary school, many have developed pre-conceived ideas and opinions through a variety of external resources he says. Very few small children will end up in agriculture, he added but each one of them will be consumers. The application of science, technology, engineering and maths is best demonstrated by engaging children in practical projects which excite and engage, rather than in the classroom. The NFU have developed a range of resources for teachers which in its first full year reached over 250,000 primary school children. Josh is joined on the podcast by Emma Foyle, currently Deputy Head of a primary school in Bournemouth who has over 30 years teaching experience who fully welcomes the NFU’s teacher support programme. We do not want all learning to be in pre-planned boxes, she says, there has to be a link to real life and hopefully also an opportunity to meet role models who can bring their industry to life. Tractor in Schools has been a success in the past, but Josh says that like every other STEM subject, the tractor’s use and role on the farm has to be explained and put into context. https://education.nfuonline.com (https://education.nfuonline.com )
To complement his social media activity on Facebook, Instagram and other platforms, Devon based power equipment dealer, James Hayes, has established a dedicated https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLHehM-Fh0wiDZEi-XXd3Gg?view_as=subscriber (You Tube channel )during the past 12 months which has had over 400,000 views to date. To help achieve this, James has taken on filmmaker Will Evans, a university graduate and Royal Television Society Award winner. The portfolio of more than 75 films on the Hayes Machinery You Tube channel include product reviews, How To videos, restoration videos and comparison videos covering garden machinery, chainsaws, ATVs, trailers and power tools as well as ‘tongue in cheek’ productions. “It’s important we place our personality at the heart of the videos” says James but adds that he is still on a learning curve. He engages all the Hayes staff in the production and encourages their ideas for future content. In conversation with Chris Biddle for the Inside Agri-Turf podcast, James talks about the time it takes to script, film and edit each video, the cost of high-quality equipment, the initial minimal return apart from greater consumer awareness – and any problems he has with negative feedback. “I’ve got a thick skin” he says “and don’t mind criticism but do draw the line at the malicious or offensive comment” “It is time consuming” he says “but we’ve invested heavily in the channel and dug our hole, so we have to keep tunnelling” James has connected with many You Tubers throughout the world and says he gets a great deal of help and advice from the community https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLHehM-Fh0wiDZEi-XXd3Gg?view_as=subscriber (Hayes You Tube channel)
'Start to interest the young in a career in agri-turf from a very early age - and keep that fire lit". That is the key message from Amanda Dawson, HR Director and Andy Luikens, Talent Acquisition Manager of RDO Equipment Co, the ag and construction equipment dealership based at Fargo, North Dakota which operates 75 branches in 9 States across the US and has partnerships in several international markets. The business was started from a single branch in North Dakota by Ronald Offutt at the age of 26 in 1968 and has grown into one of the largest dealer groups in the US. Chris Biddle talks to Amanda and Andy about the initiatives they use to interest young people and how they closely monitor the progress of staff in the service and parts departments to promote and encourage long-term career prospects with the company Website: https://rdoequipment.com (RDO Equipment )
Can two trade associations representing companies on different sides of the fence, really operate as one? Reflecting on the news that the manufacturers trade association AEA (Agricultural Engineers Association) have bought BAGMA (British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association) representing sales and service dealers, I talk to former BAGMA Director General Jonathan Swift who was also responsible for bringing BAGMA into the British Hardware Federation (now BIRA) when he was BHF DG. There has long been talk of a joint body, even back more than 40 years when Jonathan was running BAGMA at the time that his father Dean Swift was Director General of the AEA. Many of these early discussions took place over Sunday lunch! Jonathan reflects on some of the issues faced by BAGMA including improved warranty arrangements, dealer contracts, code of practice, all of which provoked lively discussion. He says "I have a concern that one association should own the other when it would be better that it becomes something of an industry G7 with absolute parity between both parties" Episode is 35 minutes https://aea.uk.com (Agricultural Engineers Association) https://bagma.com (British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association )
Following the recent announcement that the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) representing UK manufacturers and suppliers has acquired the UK dealers trade association BAGMA (British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association), Chris Biddle talks to Ruth Bailey, the AEA CEO and Keith Christian, Director of BAGMA about the rationale behind the move. Amongst the questions being addressed are: Will there be a conflict of interest with the AEA now owning the dealer association? How has the deal been received by members? Will the benefits negotiated for BAGMA members now be available to AEA members? Did the previous owner BIRA (British Independent Retailers Association) feel that BAGMA was no longer was a 'good fit' long term? Was there any consideration given to a new name to reflect the industry TODAY? Will AEA and BAGMA be independent entities although sharing the same offices and same secretariat? What happens when I ring the BAGMA number now?
. . . and much more https://aea.uk.com (AEA website) https://www.bagma.com (BAGMA website) https://player.captivate.fm/episode/73aa0121-4643-4736-b621-73e87cb5731e (LISTEN) to the original Collective Voice episode from July 2020
Inside Agri-Turf podcast creator and host, Chris Biddle, reflects on starting the podcast 12 months ago, finding an audience, and getting to grips with audio editing after 30 years of manipulating words rather than sound waves. He reveals the outline stats of downloads and unique listeners over the past year, the international reach of the podcast - and which episodes attracted the most downloads. There is also a canny insight into the beginnings of a 'coupling' that perhaps had its roots in the very first episode There is also a reminder of some the external noises that have cropped up at inopportune moments! Podcast is 20 minutes https://inside-agriturf.com (Website )
To mark International Women in Engineering Day 2021, Inside Agri-Turf features three women who are currently fully engaged in technical and service roles with agricultural engineering companies. There is an extract from a previous episode talking to Laura Bassnett, the winner of the Technician for 2021 Award, I discover how the runner up in those Award, Lauren Savage, prefers tractors to her previous job working with cars whilst Poppy Burrough, an engineering apprentice with JCB tells how prospective employers described their workshop as 'no place for a girl'. Finally, for an industry perspective on whether there is real transformation underway for an industry commonly regarded as male dominated, I talk to Charlie Nicklin, the CEO of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) https://www.inwed.org.uk (Women in Engineering Society) https://landbasedengineering.com (LE-TEC (Landbased Engineering Training and Education Committee))
That is just one of the principles of being a specialist dealer outlined by Howell and Emyr Jenkins of https://www.jenkinsgm.co.uk (Jenkins Garden Machinery )in South Wales in this episode. In recent years, the Jenkins family have suffered from a series of personal set- backs with Howell just back in the business after leukemia, and the passing of wife and business founder Glynis shortly after the death their other son Gareth, both in the last two years. Emyr has since driven the business forward making the fulsome use of social media and this year a successful TV commercial hosted by legendary international rugby referee, Nigel Owens. The pair complement one another, and both adopt a very clear set of business terms for customers. The episode is full of Jenkin-isms, such “The customer is always right – NOT” and “Compared with newpaper adverts, on Facebook we can express ourselves better – and be more playful!” Or their motto for customers “It doesn’t matter where you buy your machine until . . . ( it breaks down, it needs parts, you need advice, you’ve got a problem etc etc) And perhaps the ultimate in Google Reviews received by the company “It is a pleasure to have a machine break down so Jenkins can fix it”
Recently, the Landbased Education and Training Committee (LE-TEC) selected the winners of its Technicians for 2021. Overall winner was Laura Bassnett, who works as a Technician at Case dealership, Ernest Doe, Fyfield branch. I caught up with her during a hiking holiday in Wales, and just after she had climbed the Tryfan peak in Snowdonia. We chatted about her love of the outdoors and how she had been attracted to a job in the agricultural machinery industry after spending time in Australia and New Zealand. After enrolling on a two-year agricultural machinery course at Reaseheath College, she was taken on by Ernest Doe and talks about many of the enjoyable aspects of her job - as well as some areas that she still finds challenging. Laura says that her job is possibly not for everyone, but for anyone who loves the outdoors, wants variety and is always up for a challenge, then landbased engineering is an ideal career
During the early hours of 7 April 2021, a devastating fire swept through the premises of specialist ATV dealer, MKM Agriculture in Bedfordshire. Owner Anthony Deacon, along with the fire crew, could only stand and watch as huge flames wiped out his workshop along with over 80 machines (both his stock and customer repairs), all the workshop equipment and tools. Fortunately, the offices were unaffected and his computer records provided a full inventory of all the machines that has been lost. Anthony talks me through the events of that day, the aftermath and the difficult questions he had to face from the insurance company before they accepted his claim in full three weeks after the fire. He urges businesses to fully study, 'the last six pages' of their policy containing the exclusions and other factors that might disbar a claim - rather than the opening pages which summarise the extent of the cover. It's a salutary tale for any business owner considering a scenario of 'What If'
Recorded during Mental Health Awareness week, I talk to Tom Johnston who experienced depression and a series of mental health issues as he took his first steps into agricultural engineering, a career that he had always dreamed off. For a 'tractor-mad' boy, he never wanted to do anything else, but several twists and turns resulted in set-backs, until he decided to return to college after a couple of experiences with dealers were blighted by his mental state. A chance opportunity, resulted in a job on a golf course. He immediately connected with the turfcare industry and has recently started his own repair business. He says that mental doubts and uncertainties still lie under the surface, but urges those with similar symptoms not to hide them, but to speak out. Tell everyone that's "Its OK not to be OK" he says https://inside-agriturf.com (WEBSITE)https://www.inside-agri-turf.com (:) Inside Agri-Turf https://landbasedengineering.com (WEBSITE:) LE-TEC (Landbased Engineering and Training Education Committee) CONTACT: chris.biddle@btinternet.com
After a short break, Chris Biddle summarises the content of future episodes of Inside Agri-Turf which re-launches with Season Two on 24 May 2021. Topics covered will include mental health, coping with a business-threatening event, diversity, the importance of family businesses with their 'name above the door', the future role for independent dealers in the future. As ever, Chris will also reflect on the changing news agenda as it affects the industry as a whole and dealers in particular. Also see the new website https://www.inside-agriturf.com (www.inside-agriturf.com) Contact Chris at chris.biddle@btinternet.com
In this short episode, Chris Biddle reflects on the background,, the production and the content of Series One of Inside Agri-Turf as it takes a short break - and provides some thoughts on the theme for Series Two which will commence in May 2021
After he was mentioned by two of my recent podcast guests (https://player.captivate.fm/episode/c441a098-656c-4bdc-95ef-6eb44cc6531a (Jeremy Gibbs Ep 24) and https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b7c62fa3-ee41-4c2b-8641-1192356d4760 (Graham Thompson Ep 26 )) as providing valuable mentoring advice at different stages of their careers, I’m delighted to be joined by Peter Leech for his views on the value of mentoring. Peter spent more than 40 years in senior technical and training roles with John Deere UK – joining the company when the average horsepower of tractors sold was barely more than a present day compact tractor – and he also reflects on the evolving nature of the agri-turf machinery industry A common theme comes back to communication, particularly the importance of the ‘Hows and Whys’ both between company members and between technicians and the customer. Peter recalls some the WOW moments in tractor technology and provides his thoughts on the most likely powers sources for the tractors of the future – and oh, explains how he used a standard pencil to test the thought processes of trainees!
As machinery manager for Glendale, a leading management company maintaining substantial areas of green open spaces, forestry and sports facilities, Neal Harper is responsible for the purchase, upkeep and use of over 5000 pieces of equipment and vehicles. In this podcast, he talks to Chris Biddle about his route into the agri-turf machinery industry, of his years working in varied roles for a number of dealers before taking up his present role which has meant switching from being a supplier to that of a significant customer. He says that it is important that he, as the client, works closely with both dealers and manufacturers to mutual benefit – and that price alone is not always the major factor when buying equipment for the fleet.
In this episode, Chris Biddle reflects on the people and the quotes that have stood out during the current season of Inside Agri-Turf In particular, he discusses how and why so many sons and daughters have followed parents into the family business, bringing with them new skills. He also picks out the stand-moment when the industry was described in glowing terms - and finally reflects on the perfect mission statement for dealers Time stamps for subjects covered 05:01 The importance of Ps and Qs 06:56 The stand-out quote of the season 09:28 How do you 'bottle' and present the industry to outsiders? 15:49 Mission Statements 17:19 The perfect dealer mission statement
Wide ranging talk with Jim Croxton, CEO of BIGGA (British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association) with updated news about shows and the management of golf courses post-pandemic. Time stamps of topics covered: 01:25 Festival of Turf 2021 update - and future 11:15 Golf course 'stock' and staff furloughs? 15:50 Club budgets? 18:10 Overplaying and changes to club income models? 22:00 Greens staff well-being during COVID? 25:54 Permanent changes to course management? 28:10 BIGGA role during past year? 35:50 BTME Harrogate 2022?
Erik Hogervorst is President of CLIMMAR, the pan-European trade association representing over 19,000 farm and turfcare machinery sales and service dealers. He is a director of a family owned Dutch dealership with a Kubota franchises and specialist divisions in fork lift trucks and spraying equipment, and has been CLIMMAR President for 6 years. In this wide ranging discussion with Chris Biddle he is accompanied by Keith Christian from BAGMA, the UK's representative on CLIMMAR. They reflect on issues impacting dealers across Europe including dealer contracts, recruitment and training, the handling of data, the future of shows and the looming RMI (Repair and Maintenance Information) legislation allowing dealers access to servicing information for products for which they do not hold a main franchise. Reflecting on the past year and prospects for year ahead in this COVID-age, Erik says that dealers take a long-term approach and are used to 'riding the waves' of external influences on their businesses whether it be weather, the economy - or a pandemic https://www.climmar.com (https://www.climmar.com) https://www.wouthogervorst.nl (https://www.wouthogervorst.nl)
Graham Thompson reflects on a career starting as a service technician with an agricultural engineer in Hampshire to his appointment as Director, Tractor Portfolio Development and Strategic Growth Planning for Deere and Co in the US After working on a Hampshire farm, Graham took further education at Sparsholt College and Lackham College and landed a job as a service technician with John Deere dealer Roger Hunt. After three years, he joined John Deere UK branch as a Field Service Manager, moved to Deere's European operation at Mannheim before being offered a move to the United States, based at the company's iconic Waterloo tractor plant in Iowa. He reflects on the mentors who helped him along the way, on lessons learned during travel to over 60 countries, his interest in vintage tractors and the best advice he was ever given.
Could this be a year when independents come into their own following the decimation of so many well know store brands? Display and merchandising consultant Murray Burton who has worked with leading brands, national retail chains and specialist lawn and garden machinery dealers is in conversation with Chris Biddle about a new age of retailing. He says that the 'bricks and mortar' department store model (Debenhams, British Home Stores, Woolworths etc) is unlikely to succeed in the future but those High Street names that do adapt will still be part of the retail mix. Similarly, he believes that independents who get their approach to customers right should do well as evermore discerning consumers seek out personal service and a welcoming environment in which to buy.
In this episode Chris Biddle talks to two people with fascinating accounts on how ex service personnel find fulfilling careers in agriculture after leaving the services. After training at Sparsholt Agricultural College in Hampshire and Harper Adams University, Jeremy Gibbs joined John Deere where he worked in both the agricultural and turf machinery divisions based in the UK and Germany. After several roles in training and product management, he left Deere after almost 10 years and two years ago set up Forces Farming which acts a liaison between service personnel leaving the forces and job opportunities in the agricultural sector Will Foster spent 23 years in Army, most recently as a Technical Trainer on tanks and other armoured vehicles based at the British Army’s Centre for Excellence for fighting vehicles at Bovington Camp in Dorset. On leaving the Forces at the age of 39 he decided to rekindle his childhood passions for toy soldiers and tractors. He met colleagues who told him that agricultural engineering was ‘cool', and last year he gained a post as a service technician working for leading AGCO dealership, Chandlers Farm Equipment. Visit Forces Farming website
When the UK formally left the UK on 1 January 2020, there was a new set of trading challenges for companies, and not least Irish companies with branches on both sides of the Irish Sea. Paul Butterly of FGM Claymore talks to Chris Biddle about the impact on his family-owned company as a buyer and seller of imported products with trading bases in the Ireland and the UK. He also recalls the early 1990's when setting up in the UK and carrying a lawnmower as baggage on Ryanair during the fledgling days of the low-cost airline!
Chris Biddle talks to Richard Charles, UK and Ireland Training Manager for the AGCO Corporation about the ongoing challenge of recruiting new, talented employees. Richard considers the agricultural engineering industry to be a 'closed shop' with most new employees being recruited from other companies already in the industry. We should be looking for candidates outside the normal channels he says, and that a unified industry presence at skills or jobs fair would be far more effective than individual companies He also discusses the impact of COVID on the company's Apprenticeship and training programme, of whether the industry is too male-dominated and the challenges of providing training programmes for AGCO's four brands.
2021 marks the centenary of the first mass produced petrol engine made by Atco. Costing around £20 it was lightweight and brought lawnmowing to the masses. Here, Chris Biddle chats to Austin Jarrett, md of Staffordshire based Allett Ltd who in 2011 bought all the intellectual drawings, plants, equipment and tooling for the Atco range when the factory at Stowmarket closed. Recognising that the British loves their lawns with stripes created by the cylinder or reel, his company has become the largest supplier of cylinder mowers in the UK with a range that extends from largest models at use at iconic venues such as Lords Cricket Ground and World Cup stadiums to small models for use on lawns. He says that Union Jack displayed on the products is a valued indicator of Britain's reputation for fine engineering and fine turf - with stripes.
Chris Biddle chats to Charlie Nicklin, the recently appointed CEO of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers. (IAgrE). From a farming family, at the age of 10 Charlie was given a 'little grey Fergie' by his grandfather, which is still part of growing collection. Having gained a degree in engineering at Harper Adams, he subsequently spent 24 years in senior engineering roles at JCB. However, Charlie wanted a challenge that would involve taking him back to basics in the engineering world, and spreading the message about the career opportunities in agricultural engineering at a time of an explosion in new technology. "We are involved in one of the most exciting and challenging industries - and should have people queuing up at the door" he says. A champion ploughman with many awards, he is a regular competitor in the British Ploughing Championships where he has been highly placed several times
A special end-of-season episode reflecting on an unforgettable year through the eyes and voices of those at the sharp-end of the Agri-Turf industry. We hear about the role of trade associations to provide independent companies with information and 'dos and donts'. There are accounts by dealers of the measures they had to take to drive business remotely and by manufacturers on promoting products. There views on the future of shows, of the lack of diversity in the industry, of issues when dealers change franchises, of robotic mowers coming-of-age and of the demise of a legendary brand. Hosted by Chris Biddle, contributors are: 06:38 Ruth Bailey 08:07 Keith Christian 10:28 Chris Gibson 12:49 Anthony Deacon 14:31 Bob Clements 17:11 David Withers 19:21 David Hart 23:56 Paul Hemingway 25:55 Peter Arrand 27:03 Les Malin 28:32 Gavin Bird 30:29 Briggs & Stratton 31:41 Robin Lennie
After a career spanning 30 years at Stihl GB, the last 14 years as managing director, Robin Lennie retires on 31 December. In the penultimate Inside Agri-Turf episode of 2020, he talks openly and frankly to Chris Biddle about the chemistry between himself and Peter Baker, the MD when he joined the company in 1990 as Finance Director, who needed 'fag-packet' projections rather than complicated financial modelling. He also talks about the challenges of developing friendships amongst dealers within a commercial relationship, particularly when trading terms had to be changed. For all its size, Stihl is a modest company he says which is why German executives liked to welcome dealer and press trips to the Stihl plants to provide them with a 'look behind the curtain'. This was not the farewell to staff and dealers that he had planned - COVID restrictions meant the cancellation of a final 'tour' - but there is obvious pride and satisfaction in overseeing a massive increase in sales during his tenure at Stihl from £17 million in 1990 to over £120 million in 2020.
Chris Biddle is joined this week by Keith Christian, Director of BAGMA (British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association) and leading agricultural journalist Martin Rickatson to reflect on the 2020 season for the Agri-Turf industry - and provide some thoughts on the months ahead. The episode was recorded in the midst of the final Brexit talks to decide on the terms of the UK's withdrawal agreement from the EU which comes into force on 31 December 2020. With much of the detail yet to be agreed there is a likelihood that Britain may leave without an agreement. So much of the talk surrounds the likely impact of Brexit but also takes in the ongoing consolidation of dealers, the likelihood of manufacturer owned dealerships, the need for manufacturers and dealers to work together, likely mergers and acquisitions, the introduction of robots into farming and the likely effect on the machinery market as subsidies are removed over the next few years.
Chris Gibson, MD of GGM Groundscare relives a season that veered from optimism through to fear when lockdown was announced in March, and ended with pride in his team for pulling together and navigating a very challenging season. He tells how some initiatives introduced because of Covid restrictions actually improved the business, how his team made calls to customers simply to say 'hello' and how introducing new products because of franchise realignments were difficult 'because of the good job we had done with competitive brands in the past'! He also talks about the importance to the business of service contracts, of having a well-organised hire department and his belief that there is plenty of pent-up demand in the professional turfcare market for next year - as long as supplies can be maintained.
This episode we go 'across the pond' to catch up with America's leading dealership coaches, Bob Clements and Sara to discuss their new book You're the Problem - and the Solution which provides dealers with advice and tips on how to reclaim their sanity, their life and their dealership. We also talk about the impact of COVID19 on US dealer business this year , the relationship between manufacturer and dealer, and whether manufacturers really understand the psychology of being a dealer, and how dealer produced product videos can be more effective than those made by manufacturers. Bob also tells how a US ag dealer went from being £1 million down on his sales projection in April this year - to being £1m up one month later! https://bobclements.com/ (Bob Clements International)
Bedfordshire ATV specialist, MKM Agriculture, are unusual in being able to offer the four leading Japanese ATV brands under one roof. Managing Director Anthony tells Chris Biddle how the company gradually built up a 'full house' of the franchises, and how they fit well together. He also discusses the importance of operator training and the benefit of being a qualified EASI (European ATV Safety Institute) instructor. MKM opened a second branch in Suffolk last year and says that winning the ATV Dealer of the Year award organised by Service Dealer last year provided a valuable 'status' during 2020 and a 'badge of service quality' which has helped to exceed his expectations for the business in challenging trading conditions. MKM website
Chris Biddle is joined by Andrew Goodacre, Chief Executive of the British Independent Retailers Association (bira) for an an episode recorded the day that England entered a second national lockdown of 2020, a decision which Andrew describes as his greatest disappointment of the year to-date. With so many 'bricks and mortar' retailers having to close for 3 months during the first lockdown, but with a partial recovery underway, he says that many independent retailers were banking on making up lost ground in the run-up to Christmas. "This will mean that many small businesses will have had to close for four months this year". He questioned the decision to open garden centres who focus almost exclusively on Christmas related products rather than gardening at this time of the year, giving an unfair advantage over many small shops. However he praised the ingenuity and innovative moves by many independent retailers 'to go the customers who couldn't go to them'. "But there is still much to do, around 80% of independent retailers have websites, but only 25% have transactional facilities built in" Website: British Independent Retailers Association
A highly topical conversation with David Hart, MD of Kubota UK recorded on a day when two of Kubota's long standing dealers agreed on an uncoupling of key franchises in order to provide greater clarity and focus for their companies in the future. It was a complex and complicated decision agreed between two respected multi-branch dealers. Elsewhere in a wide-ranging interview, David talks about: (09:40) Difference between manufacturers and dealers (15:38) Challenges for dealers of changing major franchises (21:14) The story behind the uncoupling of franchises by two main dealers (31:40) Finding new well-resourced dealers (33:25) Manufacturer owned dealerships and external investment Kubota website http://www.chrisbiddlemedia.co.uk/ (Chris Biddle website)
They are the 'In-Betweeners' , specialist sales and service dealers who are the vital conduit between the manufacturer and the end-user. Almost inevitably their numbers are diminishing as moves by manufacturers to establish multi-branch 'super-dealers' gathers pace. There is often a clash of cultures between the priorities of major corporations with responsibilities to shareholders and family-owned dealerships whose priorities lie closer to home. Are there enough well-resourced dealers to meet market needs? Will we see dealerships become attractive to outside investors? Will manufacturers be tempted to fully own dealerships in the future? And in the lawn and garden machinery sector, will dealers be able to take advantage of the rise in shop openings by independent retailers in response to the mass closure of chain store branches? During the episode, Chris Biddle talks to Steve Gibbs, Editor of Service Dealer magazine about a recent but growing threat to dealers (16:50) These and other issues will be explored by Chris over the coming weeks in conversation with those at the sharp-end of the industry. Feedback or comments: Email Chris Og7otm17AiLyVOn6cMPC
Chris Biddle in conversation with Peter Arrand, President of BAGMA (British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association) following the formation of the Association's new Training and Education group. We talk about a possible skills gap, whether the industry is talking the right language, the importance of spreading the message into schools and the looming introduction of T-Level qualifications
Paul Hemingway, the current President of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers talks to Chris Biddle about the role of the Institution. He also recalls his more than 30 years in senior management roles at JCB, his concerns about the lack of diversity in the industry, about the attractions of agricultural engineering as a career and how Brexit may result in UK farmers have to face the challenges and ultimate success of their counterparts in New Zealand when subsidies were removed. Best quote: "In the 1970s I was told not to go into tractor design - because it had all been done!" IAgrE website
Chris Biddle discusses the current state of the agri-turf industry with Les Malin, the current President of the Agricultural Engineers Association. Les heads up the UK arm of a French company, Etesia, selling top of the range turf maintenance machinery and has been the lone person in the office for past months where has been fielding enquiries mainly from machine owners. The wide ranging discussion covers the future prospects for the ag and turfcare industry in the UK, the future of shows and exhibitions - and inevitably Brexit which Les believes could have as disruptive impact in the coming months as Covid-19 has had on the past few months https://aea.uk.com (Agricultural Engineers Association) https://www.etesia.co.uk (Etesia UK)
The UK's first commercially available fully electric tractor was featured on a recent BBC1 Countryfile programme. In this episode, Chris Biddle features an audio extract of a video on the Farmtrac tractor made by Robert Llewellyn of the Fully Charged Show in conversation with Adam Henson. Chris also talks to Steven Haynes, sales manager of Reesink UK, the UK distributor of Farmtrac about the early response to the TV coverage. To become widely used, electric tractor need to be scaled up, so Chris looks at other sectors and updates on the progress made by tractor manufacturers. https://fullycharged.show/ (The Fully Charged Show) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClNdrJRan5k (Video made by Robert Llewellyn)
In this episode I speak to Ken Brewster, UK Sales and Marketing Director for https://www.husqvarna.com/uk/ (Husqvarna Group) and Lincolnshire garden machinery dealer, Gavin Bird of Green Stripe Garden Machinery about the increasing popularity of robotic mowers. We hear about 'Bob', a robotic mower installed by Gavin at his premises in 2006, and which has so far clocked up almost 35,000 hours of operation over 14 years with minimal maintenance costs. Many robotic mowers are sold in 'clusters' as the most effective sales people are existing owners who tell their neighbours and friends about the benefits of 'hand-free' mowing. The mowers also appeal to those who find mowing the lawn a chore, and who discover that the purchase price is often much cheaper than installing ecologically damaging synthetic 'grass'.
Claimed as a world's first, a team based at Harper Adams University, have successfully completed the cycle of cultivating, planting and harvesting crops remotely, without human intervention in the field - using the harvested crops to produce gin and pizzas. Chris Biddle is in conversation with one of the team leaders, Kit Franklin of Hands Free Hectare, now expanded to Hands Free Farm about the challenges they faced in the past, and this year when floods and pandemic impacted upon their plans. Kit is adamant that whilst many robot machines are in development, a great number look like 'sci-fi' blobs' which is why the team adapted tractors and machinery that potential users recognise and trust. The expanded project, will embrace five fields with all the usual obstacles, trees, fences, gates etc and cover 35 hectares (almost 90 acres) Hands Free Farm
David Withers rose from working as a demonstrator of turfcare machinery to becoming President of Jacobsen, a global turf machinery brand and based in the United States. Three years after returning to the UK, he is heading his own company distributing the Iseki compact tractor and grass machinery range, and is demonstrating machinery once again through video production as the current pandemic restricts shows and working demonstrations. He talks to Chris about the advantages of single brand rather than a 'house of brands', of controlling the 'space' in which they operate, of 'happy dealers' and of the cultural differences between doing business in the US and the UK. Favourite quote is "Good dealers can sell a bad product, yet and bad dealer cannot even sell a good product"
Following the news that Briggs and Stratton, the worlds largest small engine maker had filed for Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Act, Chris Biddle looks back at the roots of their possible problems over years, and the likely way forward
During lock-down, much of the agri-turf machinery industry has been working as normal, thanks to the combined efforts of the industry's two trade associations who were able to provide Government with a collective industry voice on behalf of its members. In this podcast, Chris Biddle talks to Ruth Bailey, CEO and Director General of the https://my.captivate.fm/www.aea.uk.com (Agricultural Engineers Association) (AEA) representing manufacturers and suppliers and Keith Christian, Director of thehttps://my.captivate.fm/www.bagma.com ( British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association) (BAGMA) about their role in maintaining services to farmers, sportsgrounds and homeowners when much of the rest of industry was shut down. In a wide ranging discussion they covered: (08:24) The role of trade associations (15:25) Membership benefits (20:18) The current 'mood music' in the industry (27:00) Future supplies of machines and parts (32:00) Shows and exhibitions