Ahdb Cereals & Oilseeds

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 with fresh eyes, using proven lean management techniques to find more efficient ways of working. Improvements often relate to simple things, and some of these uncomplicated changes are already making a massive impact. They are achieving savings which add up over time without compromising performance.   Speaking to the host, John Bates, are Andrew Palmer, Knowledge Exchange Relationship Manager at AHDB, who leads on the delivery of the Monitor Farm Programme, and Lean Management Consultant Neil Fedden of Fedden USP Ltd.   Useful links Lean management for farmers and growers | AHDB Bringing lean management to life w

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 – Farm Economics, Mark Topliff.  We hear the biggest input cost across Colin Chappell’s business this year and how Colin is dealing with these rises and any changes implemented. Chris Taylor discusses the changes farmers are making due to the increase in input costs from fertiliser, changing their rotations to be at a lower input and planning for next year. Mark chats about the most significant cost concern for farmers and the changes that have occurred over the last 12 months.  Useful links Managing the rising costs of farm inputs Preparing for change: the characteristics of top performing farms Farmbench results:

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 costs.  We hear about how the crop can fit into your farm system and be utilised with herbal and grass leys. Getting the most out of your grazing can help prepare you for extreme weather events, have a positive environmental impact and has been proven to reduce production costs.  To find out more, visit the following webpages: https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/ahdb-grass  https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/paddock-design-and-transition-of-cattle-to-fodder-beet https://ahdb.org.uk/fodder-beet-sheep-video 

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 a bit easier with some menu suggestions and a social media campaign in the run-up to Christmas. Speaking to our host John Bates about the activities are AHDB's Peggy-Sue Elliott, Senior Social Media Manager and Denise Spencer-Walker, Food Communications Manager. Useful links Christmas | Love Pork | Love Pork Christmas Recipes | Simply Beef & Lamb | Simply Beef & Lamb (simplybeefandlamb.co.uk) AHDB | Facebook AHDB (@TheAHDB) / Twitter Feedback We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you’d like to give your feedback, please complete our short questionnaire, which will help us to improve the

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 episode, Anthony Speight, Senior Analyst (Cereals and Oilseeds), talks about the key factors driving the oilseed market this season and what this will mean for rapeseed prices.  Mark Topliff, Lead Analyst – Farm Economics, will assess the farm margins and input costs from Farm Bench data and the challenges facing arable farmers currently.  Useful links: Farmbench results: past, present and future | AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds markets Keeping in touch Feedback We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you’d like to give your feedback, please complete our short questionnaire, which will help us to impro

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 from Herefordshire, and James Evans, consultant and beef farmer from Shropshire.  To attend one of our one farm events, vist ahdb.org.uk/events For more information on soils, visit GREATsoils | AHDB For information on herbal leys visit ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/herbal-leys For information on regenerative agriculture visit ahdb.org.uk/news/northern-farmers-discuss-regenerative-agriculture To read the blog 'Fact checking: George Monbiot on pasture fed meat' visit www.agriwebb.com/blog/fact-checking-monbiot-meat/

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 John Bates chats to Lyndon Edwards, Dairy Sector Council Chair, and Tim Rycroft, AHDB Chief Executive Officer, about the results of the Shape the Future vote and the Dairy Sector Plan for 2022–2027. They discuss how the outcome of the last few months enables AHDB to have a strong understanding of the demands made by farmers and processors. They also talk about how AHDB is going to continue building on the positive engagement that is now underway. In the vote, you gave clear messages that your Dairy Sector Council has taken on board to direct the work of AHDB over the next five years. This resulted in the three key t

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 Colin Bateman and AHDB Chief Executive Officer Tim Rycroft about the results of the Shape the Future vote and the Beef & Lamb Sector Plan for 2022–2027. They discuss how the outcome of the last few months enables AHDB to have a strong understanding of the demands made by farmers and processors. They also talk about how AHDB is going to continue building on the positive engagement that is now underway. In the vote, you gave clear messages that your Beef & Lamb Sector Council has taken on board to direct the stream of work over the next five years. The council has refocused activities around three themes that

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 podcast, AHDB’s John Bates speaks to Stephen Briggs, Cereal & Oilseeds Sector Council Chair. Along with Tim Rycroft, AHDB Chief Executive Officer, about the results of the Shape the Future vote and the Cereal & Oilseeds Sector Plan for 2022–2027. They examine the priorities for the Cereals & Oilseeds sector and how AHDB’s progress toward achieving these be reported to Levy Payers. They also discuss the spending plan for the next five years and the continued communication with Levy Payers. Useful links A word from the Cereals and Oilseeds council chair Cereals & Oilseeds sector plan 2022–2027 Res

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, and Tim Rycroft, AHDB Chief Executive Officer, about the results of the Shape the Future vote and the Pork Sector Plan for 2022–2027. They discuss how the outcome of the last few months enables AHDB to have a strong understanding of the demands made by farmers and processors. They also talk about how AHDB is going to continue building on the positive engagement that is now underway. In the vote, you gave clear messages that your Pork Sector Council has taken on board to direct the work of AHDB over the next five years. This resulted in the three key themes of work below, which are detailed in this Pork Sector Pl

Take a waste walk around your silage clamps this winter and make sure that however much home-grown forage you have managed to make this year, it’s going to be fully utilised. You can lose half of a grass crop through the silage making process, and even maize crops are vulnerable – just through poor management at every stage from harvest to feeding out.  With maize now costing over £1,400/ha to grow and clamp – and first cut grass silage estimated at over £1,200/ha – it’s important to reduce any waste to boost milk from forage and profitability, particularly given current escalating costs.  But it is possible to cut losses to 20%. All it needs is a checklist, a critical eye and a will to act, borrowing a technique from manufacturing known as Lean management.  In this episode, Shirley Macmillan, AHDB Dairy Knowledge Exchange Manager, is joined by independent consultant and Lean practitioner Dr George Fisher to find out what’s involved in a silage waste walk and how to do it. Useful links Find out how Lean

This episode of the Food & Farming podcast was recorded live from SIAL Paris, one of the largest and most respected food and drink trade fairs in the world bringing over 310,000 visitors from more than 200 countries together under the one roof. AHDB's Head of Media & PR Phil Maiden speaks to a range of different visitors at the event to find out how AHDB are delivering the best value for levy payers. This year, AHDB had its largest ever presence at the trade fair playing a major role in the exhibition, showcasing quality meat from Britain alongside 11 red meat export companies, who were flying the flag for beef, lamb and pork from the UK. The dedicated space on the pavilion allowed levy paying exporters to meet international buyers and develop new opportunities in various international markets. To find out more about AHDB's exports work, please visit ahdb.org.uk/exports Useful links: Quality meat from Britain video AHDB host largest showcase at SIAL Paris 2022 Beef trade data Sheep meat trade da

A good team is worth its weight in gold and finding the right people, at the right time, with the right skills is vital for the success of your business. However, recruiting and managing people can feel like a daunting task. In this episode of AHDB’s Food & Farming podcast, Kay Lane, AHDB's Agrileader Workforce Development Manager, chats to Kim Stafford, Director of U&I, and farmer Nicola Carr about people management. They discuss the challenge of recruitment and finding time to invest in your people, as well as how the farming sector has been upping its people management game over the last few years. This week’s guests Kim Stafford, Director of U&I Kim has been working as a management coach, trainer and facilitator for 20 years. She specialises in service quality management, management development and coaching. Since completing her master’s degree in Total Quality Management, Kim has developed a distinctive approach that ensures any learning and development connects to business improvement.

In this podcast episode, Dr Bethan John Animal Health & Welfare Scientist at AHDB, speaks to Dr Philip Skuce from Moredun Research Institute in Scotland to talk about Liver fluke and why autumn is a key time for liver fluke control.  Philip has extensive expertise on the sustainable control of worms & fluke in livestock, and conducts research into anthelmintic resistance, parasite diagnostics, detection in the environment and vaccination studies. He sits on the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) Steering Group, with specific responsibility for liver fluke and anthelmintics and the environment working groups. Further resources: Liver fluke control in grazing livestock manual: https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/liver-fluke-control-in-grazing-livestock Liver fluke survival in silage project by Dr Bethan John: https://ahdb.org.uk/liver-fluke-survival-in-silage-project Managing Liver Fluke: https://ahdb.org.uk/liver-fluke COWS: https://www.cattleparasites.org.uk/ SCOPS: https://ww

A successful weaning programme reduces stress, disease, and ensures dairy calves maintain target growth rates so they will enter your herd at the optimum time. And since adult cows will spend half their time ruminating, developing a calf’s rumen is critical if you want them to utilise energy for efficient production in later life. In this episode, AHDB Knowledge Exchange Manager Alan McFadzean is joined by dairy farmer Johnnie Sloan and vet Ali Haggarty to discuss the practical aspects of weaning calves and the practices we should be aiming for. We are currently running a series of practical on-farm meetings across the country to help farmers improve calf weaning. Visit our website to find your nearest event. Feedback We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you'd like to give your feedback, please complete our short questionnaire, which will help us to improve the podcast on an ongoing basis, or email: foodandfarming@ahdb.org.uk.    This episode was produced and edited by Kate Herrick, Marcomm

In this episode of the Food & Farming podcast, our host John Bates speaks to AHDB’s CEO Tim Rycroft as he reaches his 12-month anniversary at the helm of the organisation. Tim reflects on the momentous challenges faced over the past year, both within the organisation and in the wider industry. This includes a discussion around the loss of the two sectors; potatoes and horticulture, which ultimately led to a reduction in income for AHDB and subsequently a reduction in head count.  Following the call earlier in the year for levy payers to have their say on the future of AHDB’s areas of work and priorities, the sector councils have taken the information and devised a strategy on how this will be delivered over the next five years. Tim speaks about what he hopes will come from the next 12 months in the role including an element of ‘business as usual’ as AHDB settles into a new era.   If you have any comments about this podcast, or would like to be a guest, please get in touch. You can email foodandfarming@a

Knowledge is power but the clever thing is to use that power wisely and to good effect. Knowledge Exchange is at the heart of what we do at AHDB, sharing knowledge, research and skills with levy payers. Our pork knowledge exchange team consists of experienced and enthusiastic individuals located across England. They share best practice and facilitate discussions among levy payers. They run pig clubs, work on research projects, plan events and webinars, and so much more. Joining host, John Bates, are the following members of the team: - Zanita Markham, Projects & Engagement Relationship Manager Andrew Palmer, Knowledge Exchange Relationship Manager (East) Patrick Loten, Knowledge Exchange Manager (South) Tony Bayles, Knowledge Exchange Relationship Manger (North) Useful links How does AHDB Pork support you and your business? SmartPork Getting to know Patrick Loten | AHDB Getting to know Zanita Markham, Knowledge Transfer Pork | AHDB Getting to know Tony Bayles | AHDB Getting to know Andrew Palmer | AHDB

In this episode, Hannah Bowden chats to two Monitor farmers who have just wrapped up harvest 2022 in different parts of the UK.  Dan Moore, arable manager at R&L Anthony in South Wales and Rob Waterston from the Welford estate partnership near Newbury, are today’s guests. They both discuss their successes and struggles of this year’s harvest, how the drought has impacted them and their plans for the growing season ahead. Hannah asks them what challenges and opportunities lie ahead for their farm businesses. One of the aims of this episode is to highlight the diversity between systems and how growers adapt to change. Useful links Harvest progress in Great Britain Newbury Monitor Farm Vale of Glamorgan Monitor Farm Get in touch If you have any comments about this podcast, would like to be a guest because you have something of interest to say to levy payers, or to suggest a topic for a future episode, please get in touch: foodandfarming@ahdb.org.uk We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts

In this episode of the Food & Farming podcast, independent specialist Liz Genever speaks to three of our AHDB Beef & Lamb Strategic Farmers located in different parts of the country to ask them how the dry summer has affected their farm business. Focusing on how farmers have dealt with the dry summer we find out what decisions they made and what they would do differently given the chance. It’s all down to good management, tactical timing and a little bit of luck! Chris Elkington farms with wife Louise along with running a catering company, Gelston Lamb in Grantham, Lincolnshire. Read more https://ahdb.org.uk/farm-excellence/chestnut-farm  Steve Lawson farms with his father, Alan, in Newcastle, Northumberland. Read more https://ahdb.org.uk/farm-excellence/south-farm  Adrian Coombe farms with his wife, Lyn and father Peter, in Callington, Cornwall. Read more https://ahdb.org.uk/farm-excellence/dupath-farm  Useful links: For more information on managing dry weather, visit https://ahdb.org.uk/knowle

A healthy body, a healthy mind, many people live by that mantra.  To help the young understand the importance of a healthy, balanced diet, teachers are using the free, fact-based resources available on the Food – a fact of life website. A site backed by a partnership between AHDB and the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF).  As the new school year begins, we ask teachers Amy Bergiers and Michaela Ryan to share their stories about showing primary and secondary school pupils where their food comes from. Listen to them chat with host, John Bates, and AHDB’S Roz Reynolds, Head of Strategic Operations, Education and Nutrition. Useful links Food A Fact Of Life Education | AHDB British Nutrition Foundation   Get in touch if you have any questions or to find out more about anything discussed in this podcast: Roz Reynolds, Head of Strategic Operations, Education and Nutrition, AHDB Roz.Reynolds@ahdb.org.uk  Your Feedback We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you'd like to give feedback, please