AHDB Food & Farming

In this episode you will hear from  Sophie Churchill, chair of Potato board, who will offer an overview of the work that underway to support the potato industry. Then we talk to our MI and marketing team for a fresh update on the markets and the campaigns we have been running. At the end of the podcast we will talk about how our monitoring systems and SPot farm trails have been affected by this cr...

The coronavirus crisis means things are moving quickly, having a big impact on markets. This episode features David Eudall, head of our Arable Market Intelligence team, discussing the latest trends. David is joined by analysts Anthony Speight and Alex Cook. For the latest information on cereals and oilseeds markets from AHDB visit: https://ahdb.org.uk/cereals-oilseeds-markets For information on ho...

In this episode, we chat to industry experts about the creation of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and what the £330 million endeavour means for levy payers up and down the country. To find out more, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses . During this uncertain time for farm businesses,...

In this edition Chloe Mckee, Knowledge Exchange Officer talks to Bethan John from Liverpool University about her PhD research on liver fluke in silage and how through good fermentation you can prevent the risk the livestock. She also gives practical tips on how best to ensile to prevent liver fluke contamination. For more information Making grass silage for Better Returns manual for more info on s...

In this special issue of the Potatoes Podcast we will discuss the impact of Coronavirus on the Potato Markets. A fresh update on how Covid-19 has resulted in an increased demand on the retail market, while the chipping market has suffered the hardest hit. The uncertainty of the current situation will force businesses to seek alternative markets, listen to this episode find out what are the tools a...

In this episode we discover how our participants are dealing with the effects of COVD-19. Our guests discuss recent production issues, the fluctuation of sales, duty of care to staff and how operations have been adapted to suit the current climate.  For information, guidance and support around Coronavirus, visit our dedicated web page: https://ahdb.org.uk/coronavirus . 

Life largely carries on as normal for most of Britain’s dairy farmers during the current Covid-19 outbreak, however there’s certainly been upheaval beyond the farmgate with a seismic shift in the normal patterns of behaviour.    Alistair McLaren spoke with AHDB’s Lead Dairy Analyst Patty Clayton and Susie Stannard, Consumer Insight Manager for an update on how the current situation is affecting da...

In this episode we focus purely on the effects of Covid-19 on the beef and lamb market place, prices and exports. We hear from Duncan Wyatt who is our lead analyst for red meat in our Market Intelligence team. Duncan talks about the impact which the coronavirus outbreak has had so far on the beef and lamb markets, both domestically and globally. We also hear about the change in demand, market requ...

Our Arable Market Intelligence team take a look at what's happening in cereals and oilseeds markets. They discuss the impact of coronavirus in the short and long term, both domestically and globally. As well as grains, the team discuss the outlook for oilseeds markets – including oilseed rape. With a rise in spring cropping this year, we hear what to watch out for in the months ahead. For lots mor...

As the world wrestles with Coronavirus and the scientists seek a COVID-19 vaccine the farming and food industries, for a host of reasons have come into sharp focus – not least as they deal with the consequences of the changes imposed by Government on people’s day to day lives. In this episode, our guest, Jane King the Chief Executive of AHDB, will talk about the new normal, the information and sup...

As if anyone needed reminding an important element of the economy is the multi-million-pound exports trade Britain has with the rest of the world. Vietnam is an emerging market and in this podcast John Bates speaks to AHDB experts about key markets and the efforts made throughout the year to gain access to countries and grow trade, so that farmers goods from here at home can be sold to almost ever...

We caught up with three of our keynote speakers, who agreed to provide an overview of their areas of speciality.  Mike Hutchison of Hutchison Scientific provides an update on the microbiological organisms of most concern in edible crop production, including how to manage listeria. Jim Monaghan of Harper Adams University discusses irrigation water quality, application methods and risk management. A...

In the summer of 2019 there was an increased number of reports of issues related to Potato Virus Y, in this episode we look at the industry response and the two main test methods for seed potato virus. In this episode we will speak with: Alex Godfrey, chair of NFU’s potato forum and potato grower in North Lincolnshire Rob Clayton, AHDB Strategy Director for Potatoes Sue Cowgill, Senior Pest Scient...

In this episode, we hear about swine dysentery from Lauren Dimmack, one of our Health and Welfare Scientists. We also find out how coronavirus is impacting pork markets. In 2019 we saw a spike in cases of swine dysentery and we have seen a couple more this year as well. A new challenge we’re facing is that recent cases haven’t shown the typical clinical signs i.e. bloody diarrhoea, so it’s more di...

In this episode Samantha Charlton, AHDB Beef & Lamb regional manager, speaks to Challenge Sheep farmer, James Drummond, who farms at Lemmington Hill Head in Northumberland about his lambing system and how he collects his data.  For more information:  Lambing ewe lambs https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/lambing-ewe-lambs  Challenge Sheep project http://beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/returns/project...

In this episode Knowledge Exchange Manager Emily Collins talks to dairy farmer Keith Davis about how he adapted his grazing and silage practices and the impact this had on his yield from forage. With feed prices on the rise, increasing the yield from home-grown forage becomes ever more important. For the latest research and advice on grass, forage and soil management to help improve grassland prod...

It's Careers Week, so we've been speaking to industry expert Richard Longthorp about recruitment and retention challenges. We also chat to AHDB Skills Manager Amie Burke about the work AHDB is doing to provide training and development opportunities, with two farmers giving their thoughts on a recent leadership and management training course. For more information on the work of the AHDB Skills team...

In this podcast we hear from high profile chefs about the versatility and varieties which make potatoes great to work with. At the Lensbury Hotel in Middlesex guests enjoy a special dinner including the #MonsterFries speciality and John Bates speaks to the great chefs who have got together to prepare an eight-course dinner. The key ingredient at every course is the once humble potato, as a part of...

RB209 helps you make the most of organic materials and balance the benefits of fertiliser use against the costs – both economic and environmental.  The latest edition of RB209, published this month, contains some of most significant changes to Phosphorus – or P – use in over 30 years.  In this episode we hear from: Sajjad Awan, AHDB on the updated guidance  Professor Roger Slyvester-Bradley on the...

Wayne Brough, AHDB's Knowledge Exchange Manager for Ornamentals, talks to Neil Bragg of Substrate Associates, Chloe Whiteside of ADAS and Steve Carter of Tristram Plants about the transition to responsibly sourced growing media.  They chart the history of the move to peat-free growing media, the development of current projects, the ramifications alternative growing media has for manufacturers and...

A report highlighting how a massive step change in productivity growth is key to unlocking a successful future for UK agriculture was published yesterday by the Food & Drink Sector Council (FDSC). In this episode we hear from Sir Peter Kendall, Chairman of both AHDB and  the FDSC’s Agricultural Productivity Working Group, about his views on farming in the future as well as some of the findings...

In this episode, we speak to independent sheep consultant, Lesley Stubbings, and Leicestershire sheep farmer, Gareth Owen. The topic being discussed is best practice worm control leading up to lambing, which includes conversation on faecal egg counts, wormer resistance, testing for and treating liver fluke and the prevalence of sheep scab.  Useful links: https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/worm-...

In this episode Knowledge Exchange Manager Steve West talks to Chris Hudson from the University of Nottingham about how farmers can assess whether there is a problem with transition in their cows, and some of the areas that are important to focus on.   We're running Success in Transition meetings throughout February and March. To find a workshop near you please visit our website . Learn more about...

In this episode, we hear about some of the marketing activity we’re involved with to promote pork to consumers, butchers and chefs from Carrie McDermid (senior marketing manager) and Karl Pendlebury (quality schemes manager). Below, you’ll find links to all the websites and resources mentioned in the podcast. Love Pork Website: https://www.lovepork.co.uk/ Assets for you to download: https://www.lo...

Ordinary food is good enough We are constantly informed by media on how to consume food, regardless of the negative mental and health impact it may cause us or our loved ones. In light of these challenges we face daily, the ‘Ordinary Food is Good Enough’ campaign is aiming to fight back these negative and unregulated fed diets which encourage an unbalanced diet.  In this podcast, Christine Watts,...