Agonomics

David's joined by senior livestock analyst Freya Shuttleworth to run through the pork market outlook. The pair cover off topics like price stability and expectations for breeding herds, as well as touching on imports, exports and a trip to the Philippines. Plus who is Marc Pugh? And what's he ever done for AHDB? More on our important pork work: Pork market outlook | AHDB Pork markets | AHDB Recipe...

How is the consumer landscape changing and what are the key trends impacting farmers, processors, retailers and the wider supply chain? Ahead of AHDB's Retail and Consumer Insights Conference in Solihull on 17 October, David also finds out if farming is deemed a trustworthy profession by the general public. Plus, is it okay to eat your children's Easter eggs? Some key links: Retail and Consumer In...

Jack bows out by joining David on a tour of the AHDB sectors to see how the markets and their dynamics have changed since the podcast began back in June. The pair also lift the curtain to reveal how the shows are cobbled together. Some useful links: Cereals and Oilseeds markets | AHDB Pork markets | AHDB Dairy markets | AHDB Beef markets | AHDB Lamb markets | AHDB If you want to get in touch with...

David and Jack are joined by AHDB Senior Analyst Olivia Bonser to go over the final harvest. They cover wheat, oats and barley, how crops have faired against this year’s weather, and the current situation compared with earlier predictions. Plus, testing each other’s – and your – knowledge of the Gen Z vocabulary. More analysis and information on the harvest: Harvest progress across Great Britain,...

David and Jack are joined by AHDB's Head of Animal Health and Welfare, Mandy Nevel, to discuss the impact the bluetongue virus is having on cattle and sheep, with some premises in England under restrictions. There's also a look at recent movements in the beef market. Plus Jack tries to convince David to ditch all conspiracy theories about this year's harvest. More information on the really importa...

Feed and raw materials, sustainable soy, straw prices and gas market anxiety are all covered, plus more besides, as David and Jack take a forensic look at how input costs are currently affecting UK farmers. And if there was ever to be an animal orchestra, David admits he's not so sure a pig would play the trombone. Back to the serious stuff: Markets and prices | AHDB Natural gas prices are rising...

David and Jack look at the bigger issues to understand how the likes of global GDP growth, currency and energy affect UK farmers. Should we be sweating the big stuff? Plus find out if the pair were among the many who took to panic buying toilet roll during the Covid pandemic. Useful stuff: Trade and policy: food, farming and agriculture | AHDB Food security and the externalities of food consumptio...

David and Jack are joined by Helen Plant, AHDB's senior analyst for cereals and oilseeds, to discuss how this year's harvest is progressing, with a nod to the impact of ergot. Plus, find out who managed to get sun and chemical burnt knees over the recent bank holiday. Useful links: How much wheat can we expect from harvest 24? Grain market daily | AHDB Recommended Lists for cereals and oilseeds (R...

Grass growth and milk markets are in the spotlight as David and Jack use AHDB's Forage For Knowledge data to understand how this year's wet weather has affected grass quality before looking at market trends to see how it's impacted dairy production. The pair are joined by colleagues Katie Evans and Susie Stannard to run through the figures. Plus find out which farmers Jack follows on social media....

David and Jack delve into the world of agri benchmark, a global non-profit network of agricultural economists, advisors, producers and specialists, to understand how it helps farmers. How does the UK compare and what lessons can we learn from other countries? The pair also offer themselves up as agony uncles. And find out who always makes the cups of tea in Jack's house... More on agri benchmark:...

With cost the hot topic on many people's lips, both producers and consumers, David and Jack are joined by AHDB analyst Jess Corsair to discuss the cost of pig production. They talk markets, margins and look ahead to upcoming COP (cost of production) work. To find out more, visit: Pork: Cost of production and performance | AHDB Pig production costs calculators | AHDB Pork Cost of Production and Net...

The beef market outlook is AHDB’s forecast for the next 12 months, and potentially longer. David and Jack are joined by Hannah Clarke to discuss the most recent update. Looking at supply, demand and trade, they discuss prime cattle slaughter figures, UK beef production, expected imports and exports, and the reduction of dairy and suckler herds. To read the beef market outlook: Beef market outlook...

As applications for the expanded offer of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) open, David and Jack take a look at what it could mean for your farm business. The pair have come up with five top tips to help when you're considering which SFI actions are most appropriate. You can also find out what Jack used to get paid to do on his dad's farm and discover why employees of one particular supermar...

Farmbench, an online benchmarking tool that allows you to compare your farm to similar businesses, is put under the spotlight as David and Jack take their usual chat beyond just market analysis. The hosts are joined by AHDB's lead Farmbench manager, Julie Clark, to understand what's involved. Plus there's talk of Pig World, karaoke and Ikea furniture. More on Farmbench and other AHDB projects: Far...

The wet weather means we've seen a dramatic decline in cereals and oilseed rape this year - down to their lowest levels for over two decades in fact, according to the latest Planting and Variety Survey. David and Jack are joined by C&O analyst Matt Darragh to go through the report. Plus find out how Jack's been setting a new trend in footwear at AHDB's HQ. More on the important survey: Plantin...

The characteristics of the top-performing farms are scrutinised by David and Jack as they're joined by Sarah Baker, AHDB's head of economics (analysis). The results of this year's report are intended to help farmers raise the performance of their farm business, regardless of current profitability. Also up for discussion are the Muppets, Iain Dowie and a ham sandwich. And can you guess the mystery...

With the latest inflation figure out, David and Jack look at how it's affecting shopping behaviours. They're joined by members of AHDB's Retail and Consumer Insight Team to help identify other factors that are causing trends at the tills. Plus there's more barbecue talk and another suggestion for what fans of the show should be called. Back to consumer trends - here are some useful links: Retail a...

David and Jack are joined by red meat analyst Isabelle Shohet to go through the latest lamb market outlook which suggests total sheep meat production is expected to fall this year. The trio also discuss the lamb Down Under as volume in Australia grows. And there's a nod to barbecues, crocheting, Taylor Swift and building sheep sheds. All bases covered then! Important lamb stuff from the AHDB websi...

David and Jack begin with a look at why pork market prices have been stable so far this calendar year and what an extended run for Gareth Southgate's squad at Euro 2024 could do for demand. And while it's all quiet on the pig front, the same can't be said for the grain markets as we enter a critical and volatile time of the year with the harvests across Europe. So, all eyes on Germany... and Russi...

Agonomics with David & Jack is a new series from AHDB exploring the stories behind the numbers from the world of agriculture. The podcast will see two of our top economists David Eudall and Jack Watts throw a weekly spotlight on the markets as well as mulling over wide-ranging issues that could impact profitability. For more on the work AHDB does for levy payers visit: Home | AHDB