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PICTURED ABOVE: Keith Christian and Chris Biddle

Inside Agri-Turf podcast is celebrating the publication of its 100th episode.

The podcast, aimed at those engaged in land-based engineering, was launched by Chris Biddle in July 2020. It has examined many of the important issues for those working in the agricultural and turfcare machinery industry including recruitment, well-being, succession, training and education, dealer profitability, new technology, environment and much more.

After a lifetime in the industry, Chris founded Service Dealer magazine in 1988 which he subsequently sold to Duncan Murray-Clarke’s Land Power Publications. He also edited Landwards, the professional journal of the Institute of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) for 12 years until 2020 and launched the podcast during lockdown.

The podcast is produced from his home studio in Salisbury, is independent and carries no advertising or sponsorship.

The 100th episode, published on 27 April 2023 features the remarkable career of Keith Christian, the recently retired Director of BAGMA (British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association). Keith started his working life in banking but soon ‘found’ the grass machinery industry working for a dealership (H Burlingham) and two suppliers (Spear and Jackson and Claymore Grass Machinery) before joining BAGMA in 2007. 

Keith has the unique experience of being President of the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) representing UK manufacturers and importers and heading the dealers’ trade association (BAGMA).

At the time of his retirement on 31 March 2023, Keith’s career had come full circle as AEA bought BAGMA in 2021. He was the winner of Service Dealer’s Outstanding Industry Contribution Award in 2022.

Keith describes retirement at the moment as like ‘being on holiday’ giving time for him to enjoy his newly acquired caravan with wife Katie, motorcycling and playing ‘vets’ rugby.

You can listen to Chris' Keith Christian interview here.