Kidd Farm Machinery joins WRAG and John Harvey Engineering at LAMMA

The Scottish Farmer spoke to Chris Gordon, operations manager at Kidd Farm Machinery, about the thinking behind the joint presence, the flagship machines on show and how the business is responding to changing bedding and feeding demands on UK farms.

Q: What prompted you to bring Kidd, WRAG and John Harvey Engineering together on one stand for the first time?

A: We have attended LAMMA for several years as Kidd Farm Machinery, and it continues to be an excellent opportunity for us to speak with both new and existing customers about the challenges they face and how we can provide well-engineered solutions. When exhibiting solely as Kidd, we have only been able to show a fraction of the full range of solutions we offer.

John Harvey Engineering is now looking to expand its products beyond the pig industry, supported by Kidd’s long-standing reputation in the market. To reflect this growth, we decided to bring WRAG to the show highlighting our new partnership and showcasing the broader range of solutions we can provide to our customers.

Q: What do you want visitors at LAMMA 2026 to understand about the combined offering?

A: We want visitors to see that our combined offering delivers innovative, well-engineered solutions that are designed to simplify challenges on farm and improve day-to-day operations.

Flagship focus

Q: What are the main performance advantages of the 875TC bale shredder you’re highlighting at the show?

A: The biggest improvement with the 875TC is its enhanced bale-carrying capacity. It builds on the popular 475TC system but now allows operators to carry additional bales, which significantly boosts efficiency, particularly for larger-scale operations.

Q: How does the 875TC’s ability to handle both bedding and TMR chopping improve efficiency on livestock farms?

A: The ability to handle both bedding and TMR chopping means one machine can do two jobs, which immediately improves efficiency. When using chopped straw for TMR, it stimulates rumen activity, promoting better rumen health. The consistent chop length also produces a more uniform ration, reducing feed sorting and supporting a balanced diet.

The chopping is achieved using a combination of knives and a flail on a drum, along with a bank of fixed knives and a screen to ensure only the correct straw length passes through. With the flick of a switch, the bank of knives can be raised, allowing material to flow over the screen without being chopped, producing fluffy straw ideal for bedding. The fluffier straw lasts longer and covers more area, further enhancing efficiency.

Q: Which farm systems benefit most from the extended tailgate and two-bale carrying capacity?

A: These features are particularly beneficial for larger farm setups or where straw isn’t stored close to the livestock housing. We’ve seen customers find it especially useful for livestock houses located away from the main farm and in operations that require large quantities of straw, as it reduces the number of trips needed and improves overall efficiency.

Broader range

Q: What upgrades or refinements can visitors expect to see across the wider Kidd range?

A: We’re continually refining the range based on customer feedback. That includes uprated bearings, the use of higher-grade materials where needed and practical additions such as the stone trap on the 450, which we’re showcasing at the show.

Q: Are there any lesser-known features that might surprise farmers?

A: Some people are surprised to see that we still produce older models such as the 806 and 807. They offer a wide range of applications and remain very competitively priced. While many farmers are familiar with our standard ‘go-anywhere’ chute, we also offer a variety of shredder options tailored to individual farm requirements.

Looking ahead

Q: How are bedding and feeding demands changing on UK farms, and how are Kidd machines adapting?

A: As farms become larger and more intensive, bedding and feeding demands continue to increase. Farmers need machines that can handle higher volumes efficiently while maintaining consistency and animal welfare standards. Our machines are adapting by offering higher-capacity, versatile solutions like the 875TC, which handles both bedding and TMR chopping to save time, reduce labour and improve feed consistency.

We’re also seeing a clear trend towards flexibility and multi-functionality, with farmers wanting machines that can carry out multiple tasks without compromising performance. Our ongoing refinements, driven by customer feedback, ensure we keep pace with those changing demands.

Q: Will this joint presence lead to closer collaboration between the three brands?

A: We already work closely together, but our joint presence at LAMMA signals our intention to strengthen and expand that collaboration further in the future.

Q: What new developments are you working on beyond 2026?

A: We’re continuing to advance our Kombi design range, including a trailed version that’s currently in development. There are also ongoing improvements across the WRAG range. In addition, we’re introducing Bushpig as a new brand, which will expand our offering into the fencing sector.