LAMMA 2026 has recorded its biggest turnout in the event’s history, drawing more than 45,000 visitors and over 800 exhibitors to the NEC Birmingham, as UK farmers and contractors gathered to explore technology, machinery and practical solutions amid ongoing economic pressure.
Organisers described the event as setting a new benchmark for UK farming shows, with strong engagement across the halls despite continued uncertainty around policy direction, rising input costs and tighter margins for farm businesses. The 2026 edition marked LAMMA’s highest attendance in its 44-year history, signalling renewed appetite for investment and innovation across the sector.
This year’s show was co-located for the first time with CropTec and the Low Carbon Agriculture Show, bringing machinery, arable technology and low-carbon innovation together under one roof. Visitors were met with a large number of equipment launches, live demonstrations and panel discussions, alongside several new features introduced for 2026.
New additions included a Dairy & Beef Hub, an Innovation Trail, and a Future in Farming Zone, all aimed at supporting skills development and career opportunities for the next generation. Organisers also placed a strong emphasis on attracting younger people into the industry, with a particular focus on succession planning and long-term resilience.
That theme was reinforced by the launch of the 2026 Young British Farming Awards at the show by Kaleb Cooper and Tom Pemberton. Now in its third year, the awards celebrate emerging talent and the growing role younger farmers are playing in shaping the future of British agriculture.
Speaking during a regenerative farming panel discussion, NFU deputy president David Exwood highlighted the importance of involving younger generations in the transformation of farm business models, particularly if regenerative approaches are to be delivered at scale.
Labour pressures also featured heavily in on-site discussions, including within the dairy supply chain. Hugh Pocock, founding director at Cultura Connect, said greater effort was needed to engage younger audiences, particularly through social media, and suggested increased visibility of farming has brought new attention to the sector.
Innovation and on-farm efficiency were central to the event, with many exhibitors showcasing tools and systems designed to improve productivity, reduce costs and build resilience. These themes were echoed in the LAMMA 2026 Innovation Awards, which recognised engineering and practical solutions aimed at addressing real-world farm challenges.
Agro-Vital was named the overall Innovation Award winner for its nutrient management system TRIPLEX, selected from Gold Award winners across eight categories. The system combines soil and sap analysis with farm-specific data to develop tailored liquid and foliar fertilisers, intended to deliver measurable productivity and sustainability benefits.
Across the exhibition floors, exhibitors reported strong footfall and productive conversations with farmers and contractors. LKL Services described the event as a success, citing particularly positive engagement with dairy producers. First-time exhibitors KW, Feedlync and NMR also reported a strong debut, stating they had spoken with both existing and new customers across the two days.
Neil Macer, CNH marketing manager for the UK and ROI, said the event provided an opportunity to engage directly with customers, noting strong interest in new technology and a busy stand throughout the show. He added that LAMMA enabled exhibitors to better understand customer priorities while demonstrating how innovation can improve efficiency on farm.
The co-location format was reported to be popular with attendees, providing a more connected view of modern farming. The Low Carbon Agriculture Theatre hosted sessions on future energy systems and low-carbon fuels, including a Q&A with Lord Bamford focusing on JCB’s engineering work and investment in hydrogen technology.
Meanwhile, the CropTec theatre featured presentations on efficiency and farm business resilience, including a keynote address from George Freeman MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for AgriTech.
Political engagement also featured during the event, with Victoria Atkins MP, shadow secretary of state for Defra, attending in support of the Farmers Guardian Save Britain’s Family Farms campaign.
Reflecting on the event, LAMMA director of events Philippa Christer said organisers were delighted by the outcome, describing LAMMA as a firm fixture in the farming calendar and thanking exhibitors and staff involved in delivering the show. She also confirmed the dates for next year’s event at the NEC, scheduled for 20–21 January 2027.
Despite the challenging backdrop facing UK agriculture, the turnout and industry engagement at LAMMA 2026 highlighted strong momentum around practical innovation, skills development and long-term business resilience — with farmers actively seeking solutions to navigate an increasingly complex operating environment.
