AHDB Food & Farming

Exports drive economic growth, and every year, the UK exports around £1.5 billion worth of red meat around the globe. In 2021, more than 550,000 tonnes of sheep meat, beef, and pork were shipped (according to AHDB analysis of trade data from IHS Maritime & Trade – Global Trade Atlas – HMRC). AHDB's Market Intelligence and Exports teams are collaborating to boost exports to current markets and...

Sustainable feed ingredients and feed efficiency is an area that can have a big impact on a farm's carbon footprint and can actually lower feed costs. This is achieved by not only the make up of the ration, but the whole farm and cow management. In this episode of the Food & Farming podcast, AHDB Dairy Knowledge Exchange Manager Emily Collins is joined by Andrew Gilman of Statfold Farm , and n...

In this episode of the Food & Farming podcast, AHDB’s Dr Nerys Wright is joined by independent sheep consultant and SCOPS representative Lesley Stubbings. They discuss the Nematodirus forecasting map for 2023 and details of the sheep element of the recently launch Defra funded animal health and welfare pathway. Nematodirus forecasting The nematodirus forecasting map for 2023 is live and hosted...

Rearing heifers is a substantial cost to your business with the return on investment not being recouped until they reach their 2nd lactation. Yet, on average, 17% of milking heifers exit the herd before this. Giving heifers the best opportunity to calve down for a 2nd time is not only important for your bottom line, but also the impact of herd longevity on your carbon footprint and consumer percep...

In this episode of the Food & Farming podcast, AHDB’s Senior Knowledge Manager Amy Hughes is joined by Canadian suckler cow producer, Arron Nerbas, to discuss what makes a suckler system profitable including how genetics, selection and management pressure can be used to breed a cow that fits and performs well. Being clear about what you’re trying to achieve on your farm and using your system t...

Zinc oxide has been used for many years in the pig industry to reduce diarrhoea in post-weaned pigs. However, as a result of potential risks to the environment and in line with regulations set by the European Union (EU), therapeutic use of zinc oxide was banned across the EU in the summer of 2022. The UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate granted an extension in the UK last year, allowing the indust...

For the best possible start in life, dairy calves need quality colostrum as their first feed. This early management can affect how that calf will perform health wise, its time to first service, and future milk production.  A newborn calf's ability to absorb those vital colostrum antibodies through the intestinal wall decreases rapidly within the first 12 hours of life. Contamination during collect...

The latest Cereals and Oilseeds Agri Market Outlook takes stock of the current situation and looks forward to what we might expect in the coming months for supply availability, trade and demand. In this episode of the Food & Farming podcast, AHDB’s John Bates talks with Sarah Baker, Senior Strategic Insight Manager, Megan Hesketh, Senior Analyst (Cereals and Oilseeds), and Anthony Speight, Sen...

2022 saw some historic highs for livestock, dairy and cereals. However, as we enter a new year, the position of the world has shifted. Concerns over demand as the global economy battles inflation has left us with supply levels which look ample. In this episode, John Bates speaks to some of AHDB’s market analysts to find out what impact this will have on the beef, lamb, pork and dairy sectors, as t...

In this episode of the Food & Farming podcast, AHDB’s Knowledge Exchange Manager Emma Steele joins Dr Liz Nabb. They discuss the management and control of lameness in sheep, focusing on footrot vaccination which Liz looked at in her recently completed AHDB funded PhD whilst also covering the five-point plan.   With lambing just around the corner for many, they also briefly discuss top tips for...

In this episode of the Food & Farming podcast we discuss the gap between food production on farm and the end consumer, often referred to as ‘Farm to Fork’. There are a multitude of ways in which we can all help to bridge this gap and boost the reputation of our industry. This can be through educating the public on how their food is produced and tackling misinformation often portrayed in the me...

Poorly planned disbudding can be stressful for calves and stressful for the people undertaking the task. It’s often undervalued on farm, and it’s important therefore that we give focus to this task. In this episode of the Food & Farming podcast, AHDB Dairy Knowledge Exchange Manager Thom Washbourne is joined by James Hipperson, clinical vet from Belmont Farm and Equine Vets in Herefordshire, t...

Levy payers work hard to produce great food for the nation to eat and there are lots of steps between the farm gate and the shop shelf. In this episode of the podcast, we discuss part of these steps with some of AHDB’s marketing specialists. AHDB is launching another burst of its Mix up Midweek with Pork consumer marketing campaign today, 23 January 2023, and members of the marketing team share de...

The first phase of a major review of the Recommended Lists for cereals and oilseeds (RL) is taking place this winter.  In this food and farming podcast, AHDB’s Jason Pole talks to Jenna Watts, who leads on integrated pest management research at AHDB. The Q & A session explores the variety trialling project and the need to review it periodically. Listen in to find out how to take part in the re...

In this episode of the Food & Farming podcast, our Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager, Sarah Pick is joined by Simon Turner, a scientist working at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) with a particular interest in livestock behaviour and how it impacts welfare and maternal performance.  Flighty cows have been shown to produce poorer calves, but do we know why that is? Up until now, cow temperament...

In this episode, we discuss our current pork Monitor Farm Programme, which has been running for the last year. As we enter the final months of work, we share how the Pork Knowledge Exchange team has introduced lean management techniques to pig farmers and helped them make positive changes to benefit their businesses. Pig producers are saving labour and money by stepping back and looking at things...

In this episode of the Food & Farming podcast, we are reviewing the last year and looking ahead to 2023’s input costs and future rotations. Knowledge Exchange Managers Izzy Eames (North East), Hannah Bowden (South East) and Michelle Nuttall (North West) will be talking to three experts, Grower Collin Chappell, Agronomist and Nuffield Farming Scholarship Chris Taylor and AHDB Lead Analyst – Far...

In this episode of the Food & Farming podcast, we are looking ahead and planning for 2023 with a focus on grazing, using herbal leys and the benefits of outwintering on fodder beet. Our grass specialist Katie Evans speaks to New Zealand fodder beet expert Dr Jim Gibbs and UK expert Marc Jones (KWS) about how to successfully outwinter stock on fodder beet to maximise performance and reduce cost...

Christmas and the run-up to the new year are special times when many families and friends gather to share in the celebrations, fun and festivities. One aspect which can put pressure on even the most organised of us is what to eat and serve our visitors.  There is a limit to how much sliced cold meat and reheated veg we can all put up with. So, this year, AHDB is trying to make life in the kitchen...

In this episode of the Food & Farming podcast, John Bates talks with Megan Hesketh, Senior Analyst (Cereals and Oilseeds) in the Market Specialist Arable team, and Olivia Bonser, Analyst (Cereals and Oilseeds). To discuss the Grain Market Outlook Conference and the Black Sea region and why the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is vital to the future of global grain prices.  Also, in this epi...

In this episode of the Food & Farming podcast, join Amy Hughes, Ian Farrant and James Evans to chat about regenerative farming, sustainability and productivity. They talk about what regenerative farming means to them and their businesses and why it is important for the industry.  Amy Hughes, Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager for AHDB Beef and Lamb, is joined by Ian Farrant, AHDB Monitor Farmer...

The Dairy sector plan 2022–2027 has been published by AHDB as part of their commitment to outline how the levy will be invested over the next five years. The decisions taken by the sector councils take into consideration the added financial pressures faced by the sector in the challenging economic climate currently being experienced. In this episode of AHDB’s Food & Farming podcast, AHDB’s Joh...

It has been a turbulent few months for the Beef & Lamb sector, with inflation in prices for fuel, feed and fertiliser and a prolonged dry summer causing shortages of grass and forage. Supporting levy payers through these changing times remains a focus for the team at AHDB. In this episode of AHDB’s Food & Farming podcast, our host John Bates chats to Beef & Lamb Sector Council Chair Co...

The cereals & Oilseeds sector plan 2022–2027 has been published by AHDB as part of their commitment to outline how the levy will be invested over the next five years. The decisions taken by the sector councils take into consideration the added financial pressures faced by the sector in the challenging economic climate currently being experienced. In this episode of AHDB’s Food & Farming po...

It’s been a brutal time for the pork sector, with the combination of Brexit and Covid creating a perfect storm, followed by hugely inflated costs of production resulting from the war in Ukraine. Supporting levy payers through these unprecedented times is more crucial than ever. In this episode of AHDB’s Food & Farming podcast, AHDB’s John Bates chats to Mike Sheldon, Pork Sector Council Chair,...