AHDB Food & Farming

It’s Strategic Farm Week at AHDB! In this special edition of the podcast, we’ll discuss the research taking place at our host farms across the UK. Strategic Cereal Farm East host Brian Barker hosts a panel of researchers responsible for overseeing the harvest 2021 trials. Tune in to listen to: Emily Pope, Senior Knowledge Transfer Manager (Cereals & Oilseeds) at AHDB, providing an overview of...

In this episode we speak to Brendon Rockey, who will be the key note speaker at the Potato Industry Conference Day, which will be held online on 24th of November. He will speak about the way he farms and what made him choose a non-chemical way of farming.  In the second part of this episode we speak to Claire Hodge, Senior Arable Knowledge Exchange Manager for Scotland. Claire will speak about the...

This week’s guests Emily Boyce, Knowledge Exchange Manager Lauren Dimmack, Animal Health & Welfare Scientist Charlie Reeve, Market Analyst Principles of pig production Our principles of pig production webinar series is aimed at anyone looking to upskill or refresh their knowledge on pig production, both small-scale producers and stockpeople alike. Register for the next webinar on 24 November A...

In this episode Leah Shanks, Knowledge Exchange Manager for the South West, talks to a number of farmers about the sometimes controversial topic of succession planning and asks about their experiences, as well as sourcing some key advice. For more information visit: https://ahdb.org.uk/business-planning/changing-your-business/talking-things-through

For our protected edibles and mushrooms showcase week, this special edition podcast is hosted by Grace Choto, AHDB's Knowledge Exchange Manager for Field Vegetables (Leafy salads, herbs and speciality veg) and looks at our recent and current work with herbs. In particular, this episode looks at where levy payers' money has been invested and the benefits of both research and knowledge exchange work...

As the UK prepares for Brexit and the end of the transition in January 2021, we bring you an insight of upcoming changes that farmers and growers need to prepare for - ensuring agriculture is fit for the future.    In this podcast, John Bates welcomes special guests, Sarah Baker and Duncan Wyatt to provide an insight into what the impact of leaving EU will be on livestock markets. With the latest...

Earlier this year some dairy farmers took an unexpected hit when the Coronavirus pandemic closed big parts of the economy and quickly vast quantities of milk, around 2m litres a day usually destined for coffee shops, pubs and cafes, didn’t have a home.  In this podcast John Bates takes a look at how the industry got together and a £1m marketing campaign was whipped up in quick time. The first nati...

As the UK prepares for Brexit and the end of the transition in January 2021, we bring you an insight of upcoming changes that farmers and growers need to prepare for - ensuring agriculture is fit for the future.  In this podcast, John Bates welcomes special guests, David Swales and David Eudall to provide an insight into what the impact of leaving EU will be on crop markets. With the latest news d...

In this episode our Market Intelligence (MI) team discusses their latest reports. Graham Bannister offers an update on how lifting is progressing in the North West and East of England. Finally, Andy Shaw, potato grower in Cheshire, shares with us the struggle growers are facing at the moment due to Coronavirus and the low price for potatoes. Presenter: John Bates Guest speakers: David Eudall - Hea...

In this special edition podcast for our fruit showcase week, Scott Raffle, AHDB's Knowledge Exchange Manager for Fruit, leads a discussion about our research into fruit crop protection research. Scott is joined by AHDB's Research Manager for fruit crops, Rachel McGauley, agronomist, tree fruit grower and former tree fruit panel Chairman Nigel Kitney and Harriet Duncalfe, a long-established soft fr...

In this episode, Amy Hughes, Knowledge Exchange Manager, finds out more about direct selling. She chats to beef farmer, Andy Rumming, who shares experiences of direct selling from his own business and gives advice on how to get into it. She also talks to AHDB’s Senior Manager of Quality Schemes, Karl Pendlebury, who talks about his work with butchers and the supply chain as well as giving advice o...

Did you know, we invest over £19m in marketing and export development every year? According to YouGov, typically in the UK, marketing budgets currently account for 9.3% of overall company revenue. Today we speak about the latest campaign, ' Mix Up Midweek with Perfect Pulled Pork ', designed to increase pork consumption and overall sales, in the UK.   Pig producers, have you ever wondered how much...

In this special edition of the Cereals and Oilseeds podcast the head of AHDB’s Arable Market Specialists David Eudall talks to grain market experts from around the globe. David’s guests include: Robert Johansson (01.25 – 23.48), Chief Economist at the US Department of Agriculture. Robert explains how the US is using data to improve market awareness and the big global drivers. Ben Buckner (23.55 –...

John Bates recently caught up with Kim Malley (Senior Analyst within AHDB's Consumer Insight team) and Sarah Baker (Economist for AHDB). They discussed the latest changes in consumer behaviour and how views have shifted throughout the year.  Key issues such as COVID-19 and Brexit were on the agenda, with both our experts providing updates on the role they've played in recent times in affecting con...

In this episode Knowledge Exchange Manager Steve West talks to Jamie Robertson from the University of Aberdeen about how to tackle calf pneumonia during the changing autumn weather.   For more information please visit our Calf Pneumonia webpage or you can access calf resources on our Knowledge Library .   Feedback survey: We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you’d like to give your...

If I told you 84% of farmers under the age 40 are battling with poor mental health what would you say. You’d be shocked, right?   Your health is your wealth, so the saying goes, and the Coronavirus pandemic has certainly tested many individuals and families due to the restrictions and changes in everyday life.    In this episode, John Bates discusses the importance of mental health with those with...

Exiting the EU, the pandemic and economic uncertainty at home and abroad, should farmers and growers plan for the worst and hope for the best?  Also, the weather during the last growing season will not be forgotten anytime soon with farmers and growers now coping with the results of a poor harvest, reduced cash flow and the availability of feed for livestock.  Can AHDB help mitigate the challenges...

In this episode, Mandy Nevel, Head of Animal Welfare at AHDB speaks to representatives from Morrisons, Red Tractor and the National Pig Association about the importance of good pig handling. This week’s guests Sophie Throup, Head of Agriculture, Morrisons Dr Zoe Davies, Chief Executive, National Pig Association Dr Georgina Crayford, Technical Manager for Pigs, Red Tractor   Useful links Moving and...

Defra published the government-led Request for Views on AHDB in April 2020 in which, Victoria Prentis’ foreword stated that 64% felt that there was a need for the statutory levy to continue. However, it also identified that there is a desire for an overhaul of the current structure of AHDB and its governance to operate in a more modern way to reflect the needs of the modern market.   In this episo...

In this episode Sarah Pick, Knowledge Exchange Manager for AHDB Beef and Lamb talks to Donall Fahy who manages the dairy calf to beef trial at Teagasc, Ireland. During the podcast Donall discusses the management practices he recommends to improve animal health and business profitability in calf rearing systems. Additional resources: Better returns from calf rearing

In this episode Knowledge Exchange Manager Kate Harris talks to Andre van Barneveld from Graise Consultancy about what makes a good grassland farmer stand out from the average, and what the challenges might be for them in the future.   For the latest research and advice on grass, forage and soil management to help improve grassland productivity on livestock farms, visit our Grass & forage mana...

In the latest AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds podcast, James Lamb from our Farm Economics team chats to Knowledge Exchange Managers David Pett and Tabitha Allen about the importance of knowing and understanding your costs. David and Tabitha also speak to two farmers, George Hosford and Tom Jackson, about their experiences of AHDB's discussion groups with regards to the subject of costs and how Farmbench...

In the first part of this episode we discuss the results of our latest marketing campaign and how our education team continued to teach children about potatoes even when the schools were closed. In the second part you will hear from our Market Intelligence team. They will explain us why the price of potatoes is still low at the moment and what are the latest trends.  Guest speakers: Nicola Dodd -...

In this episode, we hear from Pippa Handley, Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager (Pork) and Emily Boyce, Knowledge Exchange Officer – Skills Development (Pork).    Pippa takes us through the recent changes in the knowledge exchange and knowledge transfer teams, as well as outlining the plan for our autumn pig farmer events. Emily then talks about the stockperson training courses and how they might l...

Defra published a summary and response to the government-led Request for Views on AHDB in April 2020. In this episode, John Bates talks to AHDB Chair, Nicholas Saphir, on a new pledge to levy payers having listened to feedback. Commitments outlined by Nicholas include a new strategy, featuring key areas of farm performance and marketing (both home and overseas) underpinned with independent evidenc...