Kite Consulting

In this week's episode, we explore the proposed Nutrient Action Programme (NAP) in Northern Ireland, which has sparked significant debate within the agri-food sector. Join hosts Will Evans and Ben Eagle, along with guests Aileen Lawson from the Ulster Farmers Union, Jason Rankin from AgriSearch and dairy market analyst Chris Walkland, as they delve into the implications of the NAP, the concerns raised by farmers and the potential impact on the agricultural landscape. With insights from their recent trip to Northern Ireland, the team discusses the balance between environmental responsibility and agricultural productivity, highlighting the urgent need for constructive dialogue and collaboration between farmers and policymakers.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

https://www.farmertime.uk/https://justfarmers.orghttps://ahdb.org.ukhttps://farmsunday.orghttps://www.nuffieldscholar.org/agdiversity  Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

Following Chris' milk market report, Will Evans is joined by compact feeding pioneer Niels Bastian Kristensen, Kite consultant Mike Bray, JG Vigar and Son's herd manager Dane De Boorder based in Wiltshire, and podcast producer Becki Reay. Together, they explore the transformative potential of compact feeding, delving into its advantages, potential drawbacks, and the unique challenges faced by UK dairy farmers. Dane De Boorder discusses the recent masterclass hosted by JG Vigar and Son, he talks about the productivity improvement on farm over the past 4 years & what he's learnt from introducing compact feeding.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

To find out more about Kite's Herd Management Training which starts in August 2025 and is now open for applications, please email people@kiteconsulting.com  Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

Episode 152 Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

After Chris' market report this week, highlighting a positive outlook for dairy prices, Will and Ben shift their focus from milk markets to the intricacies of feed markets, featuring insights from Chris Pickles, Procurement Manager at KW Feeds and Kite Technical Consultant Maimie French. Maimie provides an overview of the spring season, noting the quality of first cuts and the impact of weather on forage yields across the UK and touches on the challenges of heat stress. Chris discusses feed commodity markets, with ongoing considerations around protein sources for dairy rations, particularly the comparison between soya and rape meal, with an interesting and welcomed update on EU deforestation regulations. They also contemplate the potential outlook for harvest 2025 amidst current dry conditions and market uncertainties.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

Will and Ben are back this week, joined by Chris, who has just returned from holiday. In this episode, they delve into the current milk volume situation and the evolving milk market dynamics. With insights from Kite Director John Allen and podcast producer Becki Reay, the team discusses the implications of spring peak milk production, processing capacity, and the unexpected stability of milk prices amidst high volumes. Chris shares his market report, revealing how recent weather patterns and factory challenges have shaped the landscape. The conversation also touches on the contrasting pricing mechanisms of different processors and the potential future of milk pricing as the industry navigates these unique circumstances.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

Will and Ben return after a short break for Easter, to explore the current state of the dairy industry in New Zealand with insights from James Allen, CEO of AgFirst and John Allen, Kite Director. Following Chris' market report, James and John discuss the impact of recent weather patterns on milk production, dairy economics, and the implications of environmental policies. With an analysis of production figures, market trends and the future of dairy in New Zealand and where these sit in a global context amidst some of the current challenges.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

After Chris' report this week on the Kite Podcast, Will and Ben bring you a timely spring update, joined by Kite Consultant Marcus Doig and Cumbrian dairy farmer Paddy Morris-Eyton. They share insights into the potential long-term effects of this spring's weather on forage and milk flows, they also discuss the impact of recent market fluctuations, including milk price feed price ratio and the ongoing demand for beef on breeding strategies for dairy farmers. The conversation delves into the current state of grass growth across various regions, the challenges posed by dry conditions and the implications for farm management as we move deeper into the season.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

NMRThe National Johne's Management Plan Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

This week, Will and Ben explore the crucial topic of soil organic carbon, delving into its definition, benefits and ways to enhance its presence in our soils. They are joined by Robert Nightingale, Sustainability Technical Lead at Frontier Agriculture and Kite's Sustainability Lead, Helen Dent, along with everyone's favourite dairy market analyst, Chris Walkland. The discussion covers the significance of soil organic carbon in relation to climate change, soil health and farm resilience and how in the future, building soil organic carbon will become one of the tools in the carbon reduction journey. Helen shares insights from her newly released report on soil carbon, while Rob discusses practical steps farmers can take to improve their soil management practices. Together, they highlight the importance of understanding and measuring soil organic carbon as a vital component of sustainable farming .Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

AHDB Events Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

This week, our hosts Will and Ben focus on Dairy Producer Organisations (DPOs) and their vital role in the dairy industry. With Ian Harvey, farmer, Director at Davidstow Creamery as well as a member of the NFU Dairy Board and former member of AHDB Dairy Sector Council, along with our own dairy market analyst, Chris Walkland. Starting the discussion prompted by a recent article from Chris in British Dairying Magazine, they discuss the role of DPO's and the importance of collective representation for farmers. They discuss the limitations of DPOs, particularly highlighted in Chris' article after 2 significant processors who do have DPO's. have just given notice to a number of farmers. They also discuss the difference between DPOs and farmer boards, and the significance of FDOM (Fair Dealings Obligations Milk) over the next few months.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

Following Chris' report this week, Will and Ben are joined by Jukka Likitalo, Secretary General of Eucolait, and Kite Director John Allen to examine the European Commission's recently published Vision for Agriculture and Food document. Jukka elaborates on the Commission's perspective regarding the future of agriculture and food in Europe, highlighting key priority areas aimed at enhancing the competitiveness and appeal of the agri-food sector while ensuring long-term food security. He emphasises the implications for farmers, particularly in fostering a fairer supply chain for dairy and improving farmers' incomes. Additionally, Jukka and John discuss the influence of recent farmer protests in Europe on policy development, as well as the effects of the evolving geopolitical landscape and increasing trade tensions. They also address the differences between the EU and the UK post-Brexit, particularly concerning the loss in subsidies for dairy.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

This week after Chris' report, Will and Ben are joined by Nick Evans, co-founder and Managing Director of Oxbury Bank and David Keiley from Kite, to discuss financing and sustainability. They focus on Oxbury's new ‘transition facility,' designed to offer finance at as low as 1% over base for farmers who are carbon footprinting & actively looking to improve their carbon credentials either via engagement with SFI or processor/retailer carbon reduction schemes. Nick explains the key features and qualifying criteria along with Oxbury's motivation for providing the funding. David talks about the importance of access to finance for farmers, especially regarding working capital and stresses the need to collaborate across the supply chain to gather data, reduce carbon footprints and support the Net Zero goal.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

Will Evans, Becki Reay and Chris Walkland are joined this week by Betty Berning; Contributing Dairy Economist at Highground Dairy. After Chris' rather inert milk market update, they go on to discuss the economics of USA dairy production and what is driving low volumes we are currently seeing from the USA, including record low heifer inventory numbers and record high beef calf prices. They discuss further the significant investments seen in cheese production facilities and the effect of Trump tariffs on exports.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

After a successful day at Dairy Tech, Chris presents his usual market report. Will and Ben are joined by James Bolesworth, CEO of CRM Agricommodities, and Kite Consultant Amy Watson to discuss the effects of Trump's tariffs, particularly on agricultural commodities & feed markets. James updates on the market impact of tariffs on China since Trump's inauguration, focusing on Europe's protein market and UK feed prices, with a reminder about the importance of supply and demand fundamentals. Amy talks about farmer and grower sentiment, milk-feed price ratios and advises farmers to manage feed risks amidst volatility while remaining positive about the long-term UK dairy outlook.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

After Chris' report this week, Will and Ben are joined by Luis Cubel, Group Vice President and Managing Director of Arla Foods Ingredients to discuss the acquisition of the Volac Whey nutrition business last year. Luis gives an overview of why AFI was interested in Volac, with a change in consumer habits and the growth in popularity of Whey protein and where Volac sits in the context of other investments. He discusses what products they will be marketing, plans for investment in the site and what this means for current Arla farmers, especially in terms of adding value to the Arla business.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

After Chris' report this week, Will & Ben are joined by podcast regulars, Erik Elgersma, founder & director of Strategic Analysis Services BV & Kite Director John Allen to discuss US & global dairy following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the USA. Erik & John discuss if there is any predictive value in what Trump did in his first term in relation to how the current term might impact US dairy. They consider short to medium term outlook, with particular reference to the influence of the US Senate, with a strong agricultural constituency behind which could not only impact economic policy, but also in relation to foreign labour. They also discuss the impact on global power dynamics & the potential to have a negative impact on trust where exports are concerned, with the opportunities this could provide to Europe.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

We are starting the year as we mean to go on, our first podcast of 2025 is a positive one; featuring the milk market report from Chris and discussing the exciting developments from Muller. Ben is joined by Rob Hutchison, CEO Muller Milk and Ingredients, Kite's Becki Reay and Chris Walkland as they debrief on the Semex conference earlier this week and discuss what's going on at Muller in more detail. It is only 10 weeks since the acquisition of Yew Tree by Muller but Rob summarises what they've been doing since then and the significance of this investment strategically, including how this fits in with their existing network of dairies and the opportunities it brings, not only to improve efficiencies but the potential market access and commercial benefits. Rob & Becki go on to discuss the launch of Muller's innovative Fast-Track programme, which will bring together real time data measurement and monitoring of key inputs and outputs on farm to further drive efficiency and deliver commercial benefit to the farm and accelerated carbon reduction to Muller. As well as a broader conversation about the commercial incentive to reduce carbon, how that looks at farm level as well as consumers. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

In the final podcast episode of the year, we are joined by Dale Farm's Group Chief Executive, Nick Whelan and podcast producer Becki Reay. Following on from Chris' milk market report we discuss Dale Farm, the largest UK only farmer-owned dairy co-op. Located in Northern Ireland, Dale Farm has recently invested £70 million in their cheddar processing facility at Dunmanbridge. The podcast team discuss recent changes in the Dale Farm business, investments, challenges and opportunities for the dairy industry.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

After Chris' report this week, Will and Ben are joined by Rachael Madeley-Davies, AHDB's Head of Environment Technical and Dorset dairy farmer and Nuffield scholar Sophie Gregory to discuss the most recent UN Climate Change Conference - COP29. They outline some of the key themes from COP and how agriculture was featured; with a full day looking at food and farming for the second year in a row. Rachael discusses how this links to the Paris Dairy Declaration on Sustainability and the sectors commitment to the sustainable transition of dairy. Along with how other sectors are delivering on carbon commitments, how dairy and agriculture are viewed across the world and what we can learn from elsewhere. Sophie emphasises the need to communicate to all stakeholders to look beyond just carbon and appreciate what farms bring to the local community and the environment. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

Following a week long media storm triggered by Arla's press release relating to Bovaer, we couldn't not discuss on the podcast this week. And who better to join Ben & Will than Bas Padberg; Managing Director of ARLA Foods alongside John Allen, Becki Reay & Chris Walkland. They discuss the timeline of events including ARLA's response along with unpicking some of the detail around the product, ARLA's carbon reduction journey & their view on what role Bovear will continue to play in that. Chris warns of the risk to the wider dairy sector whilst Bas asks for the dairy industry to unite. Listeners can expect the usual milk market update & creative analogies from Chris Walkland.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

This week after Chris' report and discussion on the media flurry around the use of Bovaer, Will and Ben are joined by Robert Martin, Chair of the Tenant Farmers Association and Kite's John Allen to discuss farm tenancies and landlord tenant relationships in the context of the UK Inheritance Tax reform. Rob firstly explains the role of the TFA in making sure tenancies work for tenant farmers and the work they do engaging with and lobbying policy makers. He discusses with John the broader sentiment and need for more engagement with government and policy makers to help them better understand the industry and make more positive decisions for the future of dairy and UK farming. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

Read the Dairy UK report here Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

After Chris' usual report and following on from last week's episode on the Governments new Budget, Will and Ben are joined by Rob Hitch, Partner at Dodd Accountants and Alex Jack, dairy farmer from Fife, to discuss what farming families and businesses can practically do to make sure they are fit for the new legislation. Rob outlines some advice to farmers in terms of working out assets and risks and what can be done to mitigate some of these, emphasising the importance of acting sooner rather than later and having plans and open discussions around succession. Alex introduces her family business & how this she sees this affect them, highlighting the importance of seeking advice from the right professionals to make sure people don't get caught out.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

NFU Online - what is a mass lobby Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

After Chris Walkland's usual report, he joins Kite Director John Allen to discuss autumn milk flows, first touching on the outcome of the CMA in relation to Muller's acquisition of Yew Tree and what this means for the industry. They discuss the milk flows this autumn with record high volumes being produced throughout October as the trend for moving to autumn block calving continues. They go on to flag issues with seasonality payments as an unintended consequence of the milk contracts legislation which is currently being reviewed again.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

After Chris' report, Will and Ben are joined by Tom and Karen Halton who are finalists for British Farming Awards ‘Dairy Farmer of the Year', as well as last year's winner Patrick Morris-Eyton, to discuss the Awards ahead of the ceremony later this evening. Tom and Karen introduce their business including their priorities on farm in terms of maintaining high herd welfare standards and looking after their staff, as well as why they feel it's important to them to connect with the public as the end user of the product they produce and how they do this. Paddy outlines how his farm has changed since they won the Award last year and as a judge this year, what he has seen in the candidates in terms of forward-thinking and sustainable farming. Paddy, Tom & Karen discuss why award ceremonies such as this are important to showcase best practice and excellence in people within the industry.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

After Chris' report this week, Will and Ben are joined by Nuffield scholar Ruth Grice, who works on her family's dairy farm in Leicestershire as well as being the Farm Liaison and Sustainability Manager for Long Clawson Dairy, along with Rachael Madeley-Davies, Head of Environment Technical at AHDB to discuss how dairy farmers & environmental organisations can work together to achieve sustainable food security & combat climate change. With her Nuffield Scholarship and previous role within the Wildlife Trust, Ruth offers a unique perspective on the topic including how their environmental priorities on farm sit with what she has learned during her Scholarship from both farmers & environmental organisations in other countries. Ruth & Rachael discuss the role that Levy Boards play in connecting all the different elements, right through to the consumer. With the fundamental outcome being that of collaboration & creation of positive messaging between farmers, land managers, conservationists and the general public to ultimately achieve the same goal.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

Following Chris' report this week, Will and Ben are joined by Kite consulting's Eliot Greenfield consultant based in Cumbria with special interests including business management and planning, ruminant nutrition and technical consultancy, Scottish Dairy Farmer Robin Campbell, and podcast producer Becki Reay, who thinks it was a good time to look back on farms costs and profits for the last financial year and reflect on what is ahead. The group discuss current market situation, cost of production, and how profitable dairy farmers are looking 6 months into financial year. Eliot goes on to advise what should business owns be doing…Is this a time to invest or hold on to the cash?Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

In episode 223 of the Kite Podcast, Will and Ben are joined Canada's Farm Whisperer, Elaine Froese, AHDB's Amy Hughes and Kite podcast producer, Becki Reay. The group talk about the taboo subject …Succession. Elaine a certified coach, speaker and author and an expert in helping farm families to improve their communication has been brought over to the UK by AHDB to speak in their upcoming Autumn workshops. The group discuss why this appears to be a difficult topic to discuss at home, how to approach these types of conversations with family and how to resolve communication issues. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

This week after Chris' report, Will and Ben are joined by Andrea Lendewig, Head of Research and Development at IFCN and Dominik Streyl from Josera, who along with Becki attended IFCN Supporter Conference which was held in Poland last week. With Andrea's presentation this year on global dairy status, she discusses the challenges the industry has been facing over the last few years, including the effects of unstable global economy, changes in environmental regulations, extreme weather and Geopolitical conflict on global supply, alongside the increasing global demand for milk. With Josera as a main sponsor of the conference, Dominik describes the productivity and structure of European dairy farms and the need to employ effective change management to address the changes the industry will need to make moving forward. Making comment on the opportunity for host country Poland to dramatically increase productivity and output. They conclude with an overall positive message for global and UK dairy. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

DEFRA Bluetongue information Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

This week after Chris' report, Will and Ben are joined by Paul Macer and Amy Watson from Kite as well as James Bolesworth, CEO at CRM AgriCommodities for an update on the feed markets & forage situation on farm. Paul and Amy discuss the growing season and the quality and quantity of forage in clamps, in particular the variability in quality, but with lower protein forages being more common. They consider the impact of late planting on maize growth and both cereal and straw yields. James gives headline prices for the feed and commodity markets for key feed materials and discusses how political challenges are effecting this. Paul goes onto discuss the milk production volumes coming out of quarter 3 into quarter 4 ahead, in the context of the current milk price feed price ratio. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

Following Chris' report this week, Will and Ben are joined by Kite consulting director John Allen and Erik Elgersma, founder and director of Strategic Analysis Services BV. The group talk about the current record high butter prices and how these are underpinning milk prices at present as reflected in today's milk price announcement by Arla and Muller. They go on to debate the potential risk of a milk price driven by one specific element. Moving on from butter to discuss current milk volumes and cashflows on farm and the situation regarding trade tensions between China and the EU.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

Book the Kite PDO Conference here Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

Report - Organic Dairy: battered, bruised, but back on the up?Kite Progressive Dairy Operators Conference - click for info & to book.  Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

Uncommonly at this time of year, Chris Walkland's milk market report is distinctly positive this week! Will, Ben & the podcast team are then joined by Kite consulting's Emma McAvoy and Derbyshire dairy farmer Adam Sills to talk about a recent report published by Kite Consulting which highlights £4 billion worth of investment required by the sector in order to future proof farm businesses against the impact & challenges of climate change on their farms. Adam shares his experience on the impact he has seen on his farm, including forage production challenges through summer droughts & the wetter winters and how he is investing to mitigate some of these risks. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

A bit of good news in Chris' report today before Will and Ben are joined by Conor Mulvihill, Director of Dairy Industry Ireland and Kite Director John Allen for an update on the dairy situation in Ireland. Conor gives us a general update on how the year has been for Irish dairy including how adverse weather and environmental regulations are affecting farmers and current farmer sentiment. Connor and John discuss commodity markets, the Irish grass-based systems vs elsewhere in Europe, as well as processor sentiment in terms of investment. Connor also emphasises the need for better communication from an industry perspective on the positive changes farmers are making, especially to meet sustainability requirements. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

Will and Ben are joined this week by Erik Elgersma - founder and director of Strategic Analysis Services BV – a Dutch-based globally active consulting firm in strategy, market and competitive intelligence and training. Also with us is Kite Director John Allen, and Senior Consultant Becki Reay. As the new Labour government settles in here in the UK we thought we'd take a look at the political landscape elsewhere today, especially in Europe. We discuss the political changes happening across Europe and what this means for farmers. Erik gives us an update on the political situation in the Netherlands and a summary of the carbon tax policy and how this might affect Danish farmers. Chris Walkland gives his usual Milk Market report for this week.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

Following Chris' report this week, Will and Ben are joined by Lancashire dairy farmer Ed Towers and Kite consultant Tillie Williams to discuss the importance of investing in people. Ed and Tillie address the challenges associated with labour in agriculture, noting that labour costs are the second-largest expense on a farm. They explore how investing in employee development and training can positively impact the business, even if the benefits are not directly financial, by improving the business retention and positively influencing recruitment efforts. Tillie also discusses how changes in government and the likely resultant policies may affect employment and recruitment efforts.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

A very special episode and a Kite podcast first as we record with a live audience from Down to Earth at Grosvenor Farms. Starting with the usual report from Chris Walkland, Will, Ben and Becki are joined by Mark Roach, Managing Director and Charlie Steer, Arable Manager for Grosvenor Farms, Helen Dent, Senior Sustainability Consultant with Kite and Amy Jackson, Director Oxtale Specialist Communications to discuss regenerative dairy farming. Helen outlines what we mean when talking about regenerative agriculture, looking at the SAI's regen ag framework and what regen might look like for different systems. Mark and Charlie discuss the important role large, housed herds play in sustainable circular farming, what this means in the context of regen and how the principles have been integrated at Grosvenor. Focusing on questions from the audience, Amy emphasises that every farm can do something towards regen and the importance of authentically communicating these positive changes and messages to the consumer via the supply chain, with simplified proactive messaging.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

After Chris' report, this week Will and Ben are joined by an impressive line-up with Dr Anna Watkins MBE, double Olympic medallist and two times World Champion in the women's double scull, Wendy Martinson OBE, Technical Lead and Performance Rehabilitation Nutritionist at the UK Sports Institute as well as Dr Judith Bryans, CEO at Dairy UK to discuss the import role dairy nutrition plays with athletes. Anna describes her journey into elite rowing and the role that dairy plays as part of her diet when training for events like the Olympics. Wendy introduces her role as a nutritionist to these elite athletes and why the composition of dairy products like milk, specifically play such an important role in their diet, including its ease of access wherever they are in the world and the importance of protein rich foods, especially for post workout recovery. Judith explains how Dairy UK are working with people like Anna & Wendy to educate teachers & other influential professionals about diary nutrition & running consumer campaigns via social media.Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

Register for the NFU Scotland Hustings here Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.