IT HAD broken records before it had even started, as tomorrow's seventh Yorkshire Agricultural Machinery Show (YAMS) has already been hailed as the biggest yet.

The event will boast 235 tradestands and 32 new first-time exhibitors in the showfields and the new indoor centre.

The annual event will take place at Murton, York, on Wednesday, February 5, from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Last year it attracted between 10,000 and 12,000 visitors, which was a record attendance. Organiser Richard Tasker, of York Auction Centre, said he was delighted and also astounded by the continued growth of the show, which started life in 2014.

“When we started planning the first show we had no idea that YAMS would become so much a part of Yorkshire and the North of England’s farming calendar, but it is now a date firmly fixed on the minds of everyone looking to check out the latest equipment and put their farm machinery up to date.

“Every year we have increased our trade stand numbers and I’m happy to say that we’ve just about filled every spare inch this year.

“It looks like I might have to get my thinking cap on for next year to create a little more space, especially when you consider the number of new exhibitors that have taken stands.

“We’ve also had several companies take bigger stands too, notably one of our local dealers, Robert D Webster Ltd, which has three depots in the East Riding.”

YAMS provides a farm machinery one-stop shop for all farmers and agricultural contractors looking to invest in new equipment.

“It’s the best opportunity we have, all year, of seeing literally everything that’s available on the market today,” said one of the farmers who attended YAMS last year.

“It’s great that we have this kind of event in Yorkshire because it means we don’t have to come so far, and when you get here the parking arrangements are fantastic.

“We parked up at the car park at Grimston Bar and caught the free bus that’s laid on. We had none of that waiting around you get when you try to get on to showgrounds elsewhere.”

“What is also very good for us is that we can talk directly with all of our local farm machinery dealers rather than having to drive miles between them, and they all have representatives from the manufacturers whose products they sell,” said another of last year’s attendees.

“We used to have to go miles to get to an event like this, but YAMS means we now just come here – and the food is good too.”

Although there are no figures available regarding the sales made on the day, or sales made following on from contacts at YAMS, Richard monitors the success of those who attend with trade stands and knows just how important the event has become to them.

“Winter, coming into spring, is when farmers generally have the time to consider their possible purchases for the coming seasons,” he said.

“I am aware of many sales of tractors, telehandlers, trailers, harvest and cultivation equipment, and livestock equipment having taken place at each YAMS in all of the previous six shows – and I see no reason why this year’s show should be any different.

“There are good reasons why the trade stand holders come each year, and that’s very much to do business,” added Richard.

Entry to the show is free and there is also a free bus service to the ground from the nearby Grimston Bar park-and-ride site.