Open Farm Sunday is a fantastic opportunity for farmers to showcase what they do and connect with their local community. It is a chance to educate people about farming and food production, and to highlight the important role that farmers play in our daily lives. The public can see where their food comes from and learn about the different stages of production.  In this episode, we discuss Open Farm Sunday, an annual event that takes place across the UK, where farmers open their gates to the public. This year's event is set to take place on 11 June and is sponsored by a wide range of organ ..read more

In this episode of the Food & Farming podcast, AHDB National Specialist for Grass Forage and Soil Katie Evans is joined by Dr Kathryn Huson from Agri-Food and Bioscience Institute, to discuss the GrassCheckGB project and how the industry can benefit from being involved in this piece of work.  Useful links View our Grass resources Find out more about Forage for Knowledge Sign up to the Forage for Knowledge weekly newsletter Visit the GrassCheckGB website Feedback We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you'd like to give your feedback, please complete our short question ..read more

In this episode, AHDB’s John Bates talks to three farmers about their experiences of the AgriLeader Forum – an annual conference for farmers looking to improve the way they manage themselves, their people and their businesses. He also speaks to AHDB’s Mark Campbell to find out more about the AgriLeader programme. Listen to find out why the guests attended the conference in the first place, what they took away from it and why they would recommend more farmers get involved with AHDB's AgriLeader programme.   This week’s guests Charlotte Courtney, dairy farmer Charlie Thompson, pig farmer J ..read more

Exports drive economic growth, and every year, the UK exports around £1.5 billion worth of red meat around the globe. In 2021, more than 550,000 tonnes of sheep meat, beef, and pork were shipped (according to AHDB analysis of trade data from HIS Maritime and Trade – Global Trade Atlas – HMRC). AHDB's Market Intelligence and Exports teams have been collaborating to boost exports to current markets and explore new opportunities for UK agri-food over the next decade. Dr Phil Hadley, Director of International Development at AHDB, has been discussing this activity at various events, including the ..read more

Sustainable feed ingredients and feed efficiency is an area that can have a big impact on a farm's carbon footprint and can actually lower feed costs. This is achieved by not only the make up of the ration, but the whole farm and cow management. In this episode of the Food & Farming podcast, AHDB Dairy Knowledge Exchange Manager Emily Collins is joined by Andrew Gilman of Statfold Farm, and nutrition consultant David Levick from Kite, discussing the key takeaways from a strategic dairy farm meeting discussing how Andrew has improved his feed efficiency through feeding management, the rati ..read more

In this episode of the Food & Farming podcast, AHDB’s Dr Nerys Wright is joined by independent sheep consultant and SCOPS representative Lesley Stubbings. They discuss the Nematodirus forecasting map for 2023 and details of the sheep element of the recently launch Defra funded animal health and welfare pathway. Nematodirus forecasting The nematodirus forecasting map for 2023 is live and hosted on the SCOPS website. The map uses the daily temperature to monitor when the over winter larvae may hatch and the subsequent risk of Nematodirus this year in young lambs. Other risk factors to consi ..read more

Rearing heifers is a substantial cost to your business with the return on investment not being recouped until they reach their 2nd lactation. Yet, on average, 17% of milking heifers exit the herd before this. Giving heifers the best opportunity to calve down for a 2nd time is not only important for your bottom line, but also the impact of herd longevity on your carbon footprint and consumer perception of dairy farming.  That’s why it’s so important to monitor the performance of your milking heifers and consider management changes that will help them to adapt to herd life, allow them to f ..read more

In this episode of the Food & Farming podcast, AHDB’s Senior Knowledge Manager Amy Hughes is joined by Canadian suckler cow producer, Arron Nerbas, to discuss what makes a suckler system profitable including how genetics, selection and management pressure can be used to breed a cow that fits and performs well. Being clear about what you’re trying to achieve on your farm and using your system to select the cows that fit, is how the Nerbas Bros. have developed a profitable suckler cow that works for them and their system. Following Arron’s visit to the UK in January, funded by AHDB and the ..read more

Zinc oxide has been used for many years in the pig industry to reduce diarrhoea in post-weaned pigs. However, as a result of potential risks to the environment and in line with regulations set by the European Union (EU), therapeutic use of zinc oxide was banned across the EU in the summer of 2022. The UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate granted an extension in the UK last year, allowing the industry to use up any product purchased before the authorisation expired in June 2022. Current supplies of zinc oxide are expected to be exhausted this summer (2023). In this episode, we hear about resea ..read more

For the best possible start in life, dairy calves need quality colostrum as their first feed. This early management can affect how that calf will perform health wise, its time to first service, and future milk production.  A newborn calf's ability to absorb those vital colostrum antibodies through the intestinal wall decreases rapidly within the first 12 hours of life. Contamination during collection, transfer or feeding puts the calf at risk by introducing harmful bacteria when it has no active immunity to fight infection.  In this episode of the Food & Farming podcast, AHDB D ..read more