Highland show tickets, online.

Happy

Member
Location
Scotland
Black pudding stand was in the middle beside the seating area (£12 each, now in the fridge).
The big continental foods stand on the end wasn’t there (has it moved?), always buy a bag full on the way home.
Beer in the Oktoberfest tent was very moreish, shame I had to behave.

What was the giant blue tent in the west car park for? Looked like it had floated in from T in the Park.
Big blue tent is where concerts are.
Was there a couple of weeks ago.
8000 people nightly in a tent. Perfect covid spreader:oops:
 

Chae1

Member
Location
Aberdeenshire
What happened?
Well...

I was wanting a extra years warranty on a new piece of equipment I bought last year as I'd had quite a few issues with it.

The manufacturer was just coming up to the show on Thursday and they seemed to want to sort it out face to face. So that was 1 of reasons I went.

Other was it was fine to get away from farm for a day and socialise. In my opinion the show is as much about socialising as looking at shiny machines and cattle with big backsides.

I learn a lot speaking to other farmers. Bumped into a few friends from college too, who I probably haven't spoken to since last highland show.
 

Martin Holden

Member
Trade
Location
Cheltenham
General view is that the machinery lines have been very quiet despite what we believe have been good ticket sales. I got the impression many farmers were congregated in and around the livestock main ring and catering areas meeting up with friends they perhaps haven’t seen face to face for 2/3 years. Fully understandable but with many un filled stands in the Ag’ and motors area, I fear more will see this year as their last exhibiting. That would be a shame but understandable. The challenge for the organisers is to encourage folk to visit the whole site during their visit. Just seems that static machinery doesn’t “float visitors boats” these days compared to the past.
 

Chae1

Member
Location
Aberdeenshire
General view is that the machinery lines have been very quiet despite what we believe have been good ticket sales. I got the impression many farmers were congregated in and around the livestock main ring and catering areas meeting up with friends they perhaps haven’t seen face to face for 2/3 years. Fully understandable but with many un filled stands in the Ag’ and motors area, I fear more will see this year as their last exhibiting. That would be a shame but understandable. The challenge for the organisers is to encourage folk to visit the whole site during their visit. Just seems that static machinery doesn’t “float visitors boats” these days compared to the past.
I went onto what I thought was your stand late Thursday afternoon and you and your colleague ignored me. I presume it was you! One had a black SIP polo shirt, the other was wearing something more formal.

I came across to meet you but didn't have a name tag on you so wasn't 100% sure. I'm a bit shy! Didn't want to interrupt as you both seemed deep in conversation.

The same guys were then going over a MF tedder on the AGCO stand later on. I was sheltering under a tree in front of the tedder.


Its a bit of a waste of time exhibiting if you aren't going to acknowledge people visiting your stand, showing interest in your products.

Your not unique in this. Found the same on several stands. Maybe it's me! Top marks to the young chap on the Mchale stand who showed me round the Mchale belt baler and Fusion vario, despite me telling him I would only buy one if I win the lottery. Also the Dutch chap on the dewulf stand with SP tattie harvester who was rightly very proud of his product. Told him I didn't grow tatties, but he showed me several places I could sleep inside the harvester if I couldn't get transport home.🤣🤦‍♂️
 

Happy

Member
Location
Scotland
I went onto what I thought was your stand late Thursday afternoon and you and your colleague ignored me. I presume it was you! One had a black SIP polo shirt, the other was wearing something more formal.

I came across to meet you but didn't have a name tag on you so wasn't 100% sure. I'm a bit shy! Didn't want to interrupt as you both seemed deep in conversation.

The same guys were then going over a MF tedder on the AGCO stand later on. I was sheltering under a tree in front of the tedder.


Its a bit of a waste of time exhibiting if you aren't going to acknowledge people visiting your stand, showing interest in your products.

Your not unique in this. Found the same on several stands. Maybe it's me! Top marks to the young chap on the Mchale stand who showed me round the Mchale belt baler and Fusion vario, despite me telling him I would only buy one if I win the lottery. Also the Dutch chap on the dewulf stand with SP tattie harvester who was rightly very proud of his product. Told him I didn't grow tatties, but he showed me several places I could sleep inside the harvester if I couldn't get transport home.🤣🤦‍♂️
Think I had same guy at McHale. He made some comment about the heat getting to him then spent ten minutes or so in the sun talking to us.

Charles Marshall as usual also came over to see us pretty much as soon as he’d finished talking to previous person. He wouldn’t remember us from last highland show but always makes an effort to come & say hello to you, see if there is anything he can help you with and has a chat for a bit.

Hung about twice looking at push brooms and cattle handling systems and nobody looked near. One lot too busy sitting chatting to themselves on both occasions and the other just seems to have an awful lot of friends to socialise with:LOL:
 
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Martin Holden

Member
Trade
Location
Cheltenham
I went onto what I thought was your stand late Thursday afternoon and you and your colleague ignored me. I presume it was you! One had a black SIP polo shirt, the other was wearing something more formal.

I came across to meet you but didn't have a name tag on you so wasn't 100% sure. I'm a bit shy! Didn't want to interrupt as you both seemed deep in conversation.

The same guys were then going over a MF tedder on the AGCO stand later on. I was sheltering under a tree in front of the tedder.


Its a bit of a waste of time exhibiting if you aren't going to acknowledge people visiting your stand, showing interest in your products.

Your not unique in this. Found the same on several stands. Maybe it's me! Top marks to the young chap on the Mchale stand who showed me round the Mchale belt baler and Fusion vario, despite me telling him I would only buy one if I win the lottery. Also the Dutch chap on the dewulf stand with SP tattie harvester who was rightly very proud of his product. Told him I didn't grow tatties, but he showed me several places I could sleep inside the harvester if I couldn't get transport home.🤣🤦‍♂️
It had to be you we didn’t speak to!! You should have come on and said TFF and I would have guessed who it was! If you recognise me you should have kicked me! I was on the MF stand looking over the tedder so you must know who I am. I was going to have a chat about your old Belair but not to be! Not sure I’ll make the Turriff show but if I do I’ll pm you. Next time I’ll wear a TFF hat. @Clive any hats going?

PS. I was wearing a name badge so I must have been off the stand at the time. Sorry they should have at least said hello. I can tell you that we try to acknowledge everyone that steps foot on the stand and even those who stop on the walkway to look. I had some great chats with folk on the front edge. One fella from Somerset that works by Glasto’ site and helps the build and breakdown. He gets free tickets as part of his deal. Lucky chap. Oh he’s a a farmer as well!
 
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glasshouse

Member
Location
lothians
Well...

I was wanting a extra years warranty on a new piece of equipment I bought last year as I'd had quite a few issues with it.

The manufacturer was just coming up to the show on Thursday and they seemed to want to sort it out face to face. So that was 1 of reasons I went.

Other was it was fine to get away from farm for a day and socialise. In my opinion the show is as much about socialising as looking at shiny machines and cattle with big backsides.

I learn a lot speaking to other farmers. Bumped into a few friends from college too, who I probably haven't spoken to since last highland show.
No will power.
This is my 3rd day
 

Chae1

Member
Location
Aberdeenshire
It had to be you we didn’t speak to!! You should have come on and said TFF and I would have guessed who it was! If you recognise me you should have kicked me! I was on the MF stand looking over the tedder so you must know who I am. I was going to have a chat about your old Belair but not to be! Not sure I’ll make the Turriff show but if I do I’ll pm you. Next time I’ll wear a TFF hat. @Clive any hats going?

I don't know who you are! But I knew it was same 2 guys that hadn't bothered talking to me on, on Sip stand that were looking at tedder. Was guessing 1 of them would be yourself.

I'm not bothered, I wasn't going to buy anything. Was just going to introduce myself as you had helped me on here. And thought it interesting you weren't happy about traffic at your stand when you weren't speaking to those that visited. A simple, hi how are you doing, can I help you with anything suffices.

Do you have any plans to import bel air products? Would be good if they had a decent importer again.
 

KB6930

Member
Location
Borders
Well we've been in and had a look round and home again. It's no different or better than it was before covid so I personally think if they keep bumping the price up they'll do themselves more harm than good .

A few empty spaces here and there which I'm not surprised about after speaking to a couple of local companies about stand prices.

As a member I'd quite happily sell them my membership back as it's definitely not worth having for all you get with it now !!!
 

bobajob

Member
Location
Sw Scotland
I went onto what I thought was your stand late Thursday afternoon and you and your colleague ignored me. I presume it was you! One had a black SIP polo shirt, the other was wearing something more formal.

I came across to meet you but didn't have a name tag on you so wasn't 100% sure. I'm a bit shy! Didn't want to interrupt as you both seemed deep in conversation.

The same guys were then going over a MF tedder on the AGCO stand later on. I was sheltering under a tree in front of the tedder.


Its a bit of a waste of time exhibiting if you aren't going to acknowledge people visiting your stand, showing interest in your products.

Your not unique in this. Found the same on several stands. Maybe it's me! Top marks to the young chap on the Mchale stand who showed me round the Mchale belt baler and Fusion vario, despite me telling him I would only buy one if I win the lottery. Also the Dutch chap on the dewulf stand with SP tattie harvester who was rightly very proud of his product. Told him I didn't grow tatties, but he showed me several places I could sleep inside the harvester if I couldn't get transport home.🤣🤦‍♂️
Was that Gary at Mchale, top bloke he knows the farming /contracting job well.
 

hally

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
cumbria
I went onto what I thought was your stand late Thursday afternoon and you and your colleague ignored me. I presume it was you! One had a black SIP polo shirt, the other was wearing something more formal.

I came across to meet you but didn't have a name tag on you so wasn't 100% sure. I'm a bit shy! Didn't want to interrupt as you both seemed deep in conversation.

The same guys were then going over a MF tedder on the AGCO stand later on. I was sheltering under a tree in front of the tedder.


Its a bit of a waste of time exhibiting if you aren't going to acknowledge people visiting your stand, showing interest in your products.

Your not unique in this. Found the same on several stands. Maybe it's me! Top marks to the young chap on the Mchale stand who showed me round the Mchale belt baler and Fusion vario, despite me telling him I would only buy one if I win the lottery. Also the Dutch chap on the dewulf stand with SP tattie harvester who was rightly very proud of his product. Told him I didn't grow tatties, but he showed me several places I could sleep inside the harvester if I couldn't get transport home.🤣🤦‍♂️
Common thing I’m afraid, reps would rather talk amongst themselves than the punters in a lot of occasions. Bought our stock minerals from the same national company for donkeys years, went onto their stand at the sheep event with a couple of customers. We literally stood about wanting a coffee on a near empty stand while three of them ( including our rep) chatted amongst themselves and ignored us. When he landed to the farm for his annual order he was told to eff off and why we no longer wanted to trade with them.
Why have a stand at all if you don’t want to engage with customers?
 

Martin Holden

Member
Trade
Location
Cheltenham
I don't know who you are! But I knew it was same 2 guys that hadn't bothered talking to me on, on Sip stand that were looking at tedder. Was guessing 1 of them would be yourself.

I'm not bothered, I wasn't going to buy anything. Was just going to introduce myself as you had helped me on here. And thought it interesting you weren't happy about traffic at your stand when you weren't speaking to those that visited. A simple, hi how are you doing, can I help you with anything suffices.

Do you have any plans to import bel air products? Would be good if they had a decent importer again.
I wasn’t unhappy with footfall merely passing on other stand holders comments. We were happy with our feedback and as always we have loads of room for improvement. It’s a shame we didn’t chat as I was going to ask you about Bojo since you e had an audience. Next time maybe? Belair - no sorry that’s not on my horizon although I remain good friends with the family that owns Belair. I think their range is a lot less than that we had when at WestMac.
 
Well we've been in and had a look round and home again. It's no different or better than it was before covid so I personally think if they keep bumping the price up they'll do themselves more harm than good .

A few empty spaces here and there which I'm not surprised about after speaking to a couple of local companies about stand prices.

As a member I'd quite happily sell them my membership back as it's definitely not worth having for all you get with it now !!!
My wife works for another show and she says the costs have rocketed up for everything. Catering firms have ceased trading over covid and can't get staffed up without offering big wages, marquee firms have about doubled their prices the list goes on. Tickets have to go up to cover the increase so less get sold and they're back to the same place. Could be hard going for all shows.
 

melted welly

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
DD9.
Common thing I’m afraid, reps would rather talk amongst themselves than the punters in a lot of occasions. Bought our stock minerals from the same national company for donkeys years, went onto their stand at the sheep event with a couple of customers. We literally stood about wanting a coffee on a near empty stand while three of them ( including our rep) chatted amongst themselves and ignored us. When he landed to the farm for his annual order he was told to eff off and why we no longer wanted to trade with them.
Why have a stand at all if you don’t want to engage with customers?
I had that at last highland show (2019). Do a small amount of work with a company, wandered past the stand so thought I’d pop on and put a face to a name as only ever spoken on the phone.

Got talking to some folk I knew on the threshold, salesman came over, greeted the others like lost family, offered them all a drink, blanked me totally then returned with drinks and looked straight thru me whilst announcing loudly to one of the others that it’d been a busy day, but there’d been a lot of riff-raff going about. I’d never met the fat c-unit before or since.

Charming, not something I’ll forget, and will continue to buy our annual 100,000l of diesel from elsewhere.
 
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Just back from the show, really enjoyed it, nice sunny day, not to hot, family enjoyed it too, that sheep shearing centre was absolutely packed out. Feet very sore but tickets on your phone worked brilliant to be fair.
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 80 42.3%
  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 66 34.9%
  • 25-50%

    Votes: 30 15.9%
  • 50-75%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 75-100%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 7 3.7%

Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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