Ahdb Cereals & Oilseeds

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 lambing 2023 in the wake of reported iodine shortages and reinforce the importance of good quality colostrum for newborn lambs. This podcast is in support of this month’s #ColostrumIsGold campaign. Find out more here: colostrumisgold.org  Dr Liz Nabb is a Veterinary Investigation Officer (VIO) at APHA following 16 years as a practising farm vet in North Devon and then recently completing her AHDB and BBSRC funded PhD at University of Birmingham looking at the footrot vaccine in sheep.   Useful links: ·         Watch Liz’s webinar on her PhD results and managing lameness AHDB Beef & Lamb: Managing lameness in

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 media.  Firstly, AHDB’s Head of Marketing Carrie McDermid talks about the work the marketing team do to promote eating red meat and dairy as part of a healthy balanced diet. AHDB’s successful We Eat Balanced campaign returned to TV screens over Christmas and major retailers got involved too with eight million on-pack stickers, milk bottle branding and banner adverts on retailer websites. The podcast then hears from a group of levy payers who joined AHDB’s Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager Izak Van Heerden at the LAMMA show in Birmingham to discuss ‘Bridging the gap between farm and fork’. They all have a broad social

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, to discuss legislation, best practice and whether sedation can play a significant role in reducing the stress during disbudding. Useful links How to disbud dairy calves efficiently, easily and painlessly An 8-step guide to disbudding a dairy calf Dairy calf management Calf management guide 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, Marcomms Executive (Dairy).

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 details of the activities they have planned to help put pork onto the shopping lists of Britain’s households.  Talking to host, John Bates, are AHDB’s Kate Abbey, Marketing Manager, Denise Spencer-Walker, Food Communications Manager and Stasha Napior-Kowska, Senior Account Manager. Useful links Mix Up Midweek 2023- LovePork | AHDB Pork takes centre stage in AHDB's health-focused marketing campaign | AHDB Recipes and Information to Inspire the Nation | Love Pork Mix up Midweek with Pork campaign returns | AHDB Get in touch if you have any questions or to find out more about anything discussed in this podcast: K

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 review, which includes a questionnaire, focus groups and stakeholder meetings.  Useful links: Recommended Lists for cereals and oilseeds (RL) review (2022–2023) 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 us with your thoughts, comments and suggestions: foodandfarming@ahdb.org.uk  This episode was edited by Chloe Kimberley, Marcomms Executive (Cereals & Oilseeds).   

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 has only been looked at from a safety perspective focused on the risk of injury to handlers. However, Simon has been researching how cow temperament can affect her fertility, reproductive performance and ability to produce a vigorous calf that grows well up to weaning. Listen to the podcast to find out more. This podcast forms part of AHDB’s Maternal Matters project, helping suckler producers breed heifer replacements which are efficient, profitable and fit for the future. For more information, please visit https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/maternal-matters .

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