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.

This week, after Chris’ milk market report, Will and Ben dive into the important topic of Johne’s disease management as they discuss the recent launch of Phase Three of the National Johne’s Management Plan. They are joined by Karen Bond, Veterinary Technical Advisor at National Milk Records (NMR), along with Ben Watts, Kite's Head of Technical and Innovation, and Norfolk farmer Jonny Burridge. They discuss the new phase of the plan which builds upon the previous efforts aimed at controlling and reducing the incidence of this disease, focusing on risk management, best practice and the implementation of effective control strategies. The conversation explores the practical & financial implications of the management plan on farms, the changes with the average test value and the importance of data in successfully managing Johne’s disease to make sure phase three is a success.

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 .

This week, Will and Ben welcome Graham Wilkinson from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). Marking a full year since Graham assumed the position of CEO, he joins the show to reflect on his initial twelve months in this role. The discussion will cover his insights, the unforeseen challenges he has encountered, and the current priorities for AHDB, as well as what we can anticipate in the coming year. Accompanying Graham are podcast producer Becki Reay and everybody’s favourite dairy market analyst Chris Walkland.

Following Chris’ report this week, Kite’s Sustainability Lead Helen Dent, opens with some advice for anyone who has an SFI application currently pending, after yesterday’s disappointing news that DEFRA have put an immediate stop on new SFI applications. Will and Ben then delve into the issues surrounding environmental management on dairy farms, focusing on nitrogen, ammonia and phosphate regulations. Joined by Cheshire dairy farmer John Allwood, who shares insights from his recent trip to the Netherlands with an AHDB led farmer delegation, they explore the Dutch approach to air quality and ammonia management. Helen provides a detailed overview of the current challenges and legislation affecting farmers including the impact of the Clean Air Strategy. The discussion covers potential solutions for reducing emissions through dietary adjustments and innovative slurry management practices, as well as the importance of proactive measures to avoid stricter regulations being imposed by the government in the future.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This week after Chris’ report, Will is joined by joined by Dr Judith Bryans, Chief Executive of Dairy UK and José Nobre, Chief Executive of AB Agri to discuss the new Dairy UK report titled ‘UK Dairy: More nutrition with fewer emissions’. The new report aims to change the perception of politicians and policy makers who believe that an effective way to reduce carbon emissions is to reduce animal protein consumption. Judith and Jose discuss the highlights of the report, including stark facts on malnutrition in the population and prioritising where dairy sits in health-based diets. They also outline how the dairy sector is already addressing climate change and progressing with carbon reduction. Jose goes onto explain how AB Agri have, through their recent acquisitions, demonstrated their support for the dairy sector, as well as how they are positioning themselves in the arena to be a powerful and influential voice for dairy.

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.

After a week off, the team are back starting with Chris’ milk market report and joined by Tom Bradshaw, NFU President, Sean Rickard, an independent economic analyst and John Allen, Kite Director to dig beneath the headlines of the Labour government’s recent budget. Tom, Sean and John discuss and debate the main headlines and their potential impact on dairy and the wider farming industry and food supply chain. Including the increase in public investment, reduced BPS payments, changes in agricultural property relief, uplift in costs for employers and the consequences of an agriculture budget focused on environment.