Agonomics

AHDB chair Nicholas Saphir joins David to talk about his life in farming as he comes to the end of his five years in the role. Nicholas offers insight into British agriculture, how it compares to the rest of the world, and the challenges that lie ahead. Plus, find out how David's getting on growing his own vegetables. More on the chair of AHDB: Nicholas Saphir to stand down as AHDB chair in spring...

There’s been a lot of talk about trade deals of late with new agreements in place with the US, India and most recently the EU. David's joined by his AHDB colleagues Sarah Baker and Amandeep Purewal to discuss the impact these arrangements could have on our farmers and levy payers. Plus, welcome to the world baby Evie. More on global trade: UK–EU trade summit presents opportunity for agri-food expo...

The Land Use Framework presents an approach to inform and improve decision-making on how land is best used and managed to achieve Defra’s land use vision. In this episode David's joined by Lead Environment Specialist, Saskia van Dongen, to go through the five points AHDB raised for consideration during a recent consultation period. Plus, is buying a horse excessive? More on the framework: AHDB sub...

David delves into the world of natural capital to understand the potential ways farmers could get a financial return on their stock of natural resources such as trees, water, biodiversity, and soils. AHDB analyst Hannah Clarke is also on hand to run through the latest trends in some of the markets. Plus, find out who is a fan of The Cure. More on natural capital: Natural capital checklist for farm...

When exploring the impact of Brexit on the UK pork industry, it's important to understand that there have been multiple compounding factors at play. AHDB analysts Charlotte Forkes-Rees, Hannah Clarke, and Tom Spencer take the reins in order to go through the finer details. Plus, what were you doing five years ago? The Agonomics team reveal how the Covid lockdown affected them. More on the pork ind...

David's joined by AHDB's Head of Economic Analysis, Sarah Baker, to help farmers understand the impact recent tariffs US President Donald Trump introduced could have on UK and global agricultural markets. The pair strip it down to the basics of supply and demand to help make sense of the current uncertainty. Plus, did you spot a mystery Easter bunny running about Ipswich over the bank holiday? Dav...

It’s all about food trends as David's joined by analyst Hannah McLoughlin to look at how meat and dairy outperformed alternatives at the start of the year as well as discovering why healthy and convenient meals are on the rise. Apparently, sandwiches reign supreme at lunch although we do like to eat Italian food, pies and pasties whatever the hour. Plus, find out who gatecrashes this week's record...

As the annual Planting and Variety Survey opens, David's joined by his AHDB colleague Helen Plant to understand how UK farmers can get involved to help produce an early estimate for crop areas. The pair also look at a recent report on crop conditions. Plus, find out if David's use of sun cream improved since last summer. More on the Planting and Variety Survey: AHDB Planting and Variety Survey | A...

David turns his attention to the bluetongue virus which poses a big threat to the beef, lamb and dairy sectors. He's joined by AHDB colleagues to learn more about the Battle Bluetongue campaign as well as a vaccine finance calculator that can help farmers work out what they'll spend or save defending their stock. Plus, there's a discussion around (man) flu remedies. Bluetongue resources: Bluetongu...

David's back in the company of AHDB's lead dairy analyst, Susie Stannard, to talk about the recent Milk Forecasting Forum and pick out some of the main points of conversation. From herd size and milk yields to the availability of replacement heifers, there’s plenty for the pair to look at. Plus find out who's been doing some upcycling. More from the world of dairy: Milk Forecasting Forum discuss t...

David is joined by analyst and podcast newcomer George Craddock to discuss inputs this week. They cover hay, straw and fertiliser to name a few. Plus, listen out for a very special guest presenter. More on farm inputs: Farm Inputs Overview | AHDB Cost of production | AHDB If you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email:  agonomics@ahdb.org.uk Sign up to the  AHDB Prefer...

The subject of food security and what the term actually means comes under the spotlight as David's joined by colleague Jess Corsair.  They look at what external factors can have an impact, what’s important to farmers, and what AHDB's doing in this area. Plus does David really look like an Olympic champion sprinter when he's out running? More on food security: Food security in the UK – three y...

David hears first hand from farmers Gary Willoughby and Elaine Booth about the benefits of being involved with AHDB’s Arable Business Groups and Farmbench tool. It’s all about peer-to-peer learning with the aim of improving efficiency and increasing profits. Plus there’s an update on David’s kitchen renovation. More on the ABG and Farmbench tool: https://ahdb.org.uk/arable-business-groups https://...

David goes over the recently published Pork and Cereals & Oilseeds outlooks, with the help of analysts Freya Shuttleworth and Millie Askew. They give their expert thoughts on production, costs, and what the future holds for these sectors over the next year. And find out why David's voicing his concerns about the state of British baking. If you’d like to read the outlooks in full or find out mo...

David explores the link between retailers and the environment to find out how much of a bearing it has on imports, specifically beef and lamb. It follows on from work AHDB did last year comparing beef and lamb farm assurance schemes around the world, with David focussing on schemes that include environmental standards in Ireland, New Zealand and Australia. Plus, there's an update on David's kitche...

It's AHDB’s agri-market outlook season and David's joined by his colleagues to do some future gazing in both the dairy and the beef and lamb sectors. Could there be positive news for farmers working in these fields in 2025? Plus find out who's trying their best to distract David and his guests this week? Back to the outlooks: Dairy market outlook | AHDB Beef market outlook | AHDB Lamb market outlo...

The UK supply and demand estimates for cereals and oilseeds are up for discussion as David's joined by AHDB senior analyst Olivia Bonser. As usual, our one-stop shop for all things farming and finances includes the latest market update from one of AHDB's sectors. Plus, who's been tinkering with David's pipes? More on C&O: Market analysis - cereals and oilseeds | AHDB UK cereals supply and dema...

Over three quarters of farms in England and Scotland of 50 hectares or more in size will be affected by the changes to Inheritance Tax (IHT), according to new independent analysis from AHDB. Joining David to explain how this has been calculated is analyst Tom Spencer. And find out what rural tax expert Luke Cochrane has to say about the next steps for farming businesses. More on IHT and other reso...

David takes a deep dive into what's meant by ‘fairness’ - a subjective concept and one that's often confused with ‘support’. Joining him to talk about how AHDB offers an independent and unbiased view about what's fair in a capitalist market economy are his colleagues Sarah Baker and Jess Corsair. Plus, should health kicks only start in January? Some useful market details: Markets and prices | AHDB...

The focus is very much on the dinner plate rather than the farmgate as David learns more about young consumers - Gen Z - to understand their attitudes towards health and how red meat and dairy fit into their meal choices. Joining him is colleague Charlotte Forkes-Rees, a retail and consumer insight analyst. Plus find out what social media David uses. Or not! More on our insight work: Shopping bask...

David's joined by AHDB's Lead Red Meat Analyst, Hannah Clarke, to go through the results from Defra's most recent UK livestock population survey. Released in December, the figures show cattle and sheep numbers on farm were at historic lows in June 2024. And find out what guitarist The Edge thinks about one Midlands football team. More on livestock data: Beef & lamb market update: Defra’s June...

What can farmers and levy payers expect across the year? David's joined by AHDB analysts from the beef and lamb, cereals and oilseeds, dairy, and pork sectors to discuss the next 12 months. Plus, find out who is the non-golfer amongst them. Some useful webpages to bookmark for reference: Beef markets | AHDB Lamb markets | AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds markets | AHDB Dairy markets | AHDB Pork markets |...

Given the farming inheritance tax changes and the fact that Christmas is a time when families get together, this episode explores the topic of succession and how to approach those tricky conversations with loved ones. AHDB Senior Engagement Manager Amy Hughes chats to Lyn Sykes, globally renown succession expert, to cover some of the basics. Could the way we deliver sex education have any influenc...

The final Defra production figures for cereals and oilseeds are discussed as David's joined by AHDB Senior Analyst Olivia Bonser. The pair also look at what it means for this season's balance sheet and offer early predictions for 2025. Plus, find out which animal made a surprise appearance at a recent Nativity. Back to the farming stuff: Analyst Insight: Final UK harvest 2024 estimates | AHDB Regi...

As we head into the festive season, find out what consumers are planning to eat given positivity among shoppers is pointing to a better Christmas than last year. Joined by AHDB colleagues Emma Wantling and Becky Smith, David also throws the spotlight on red meat prices and how they compare against costs. And is it the year of the air fryer? Or dehumidifier? More from the consumer insight team: Sen...