Claim OwnershipAgonomics
Subscribed: 11Played: 291
Subscribe
© Copyright 2025 AHDB
Description
AHDB's Charlotte Forkes-Rees, Hannah Clarke and Tom Spencer examine the stories behind the numbers from the world of agriculture.
As agri-food markets become more uncertain, driven by changing weather, geopolitics, energy costs and changing consumer demands, the team are joined by colleagues to track the latest trends and explain what it all means for our levy payer businesses. And what impact it has on consumers.
Each week the trio throw the spotlight on at least one sector, with the focus shared between arable, dairy, pork, beef and lamb as well as the wider farming industry. These sectors are ruled by the forces of economics and supply and demand which is why this podcast combines AGriculture and ecONOMICS.
Given commodity markets, their multi-annual cycles and key inputs continue to evolve, the hosts draw on their extensive expertise to offer insight to help farmers and supply chains alike navigate the volatility and capitalise on opportunities.
If you have a question, or a suggestion for a future episode, please email the team at: mailto:agonomics@ahdb.org.uk
Sign up to the AHDB Preference Centre (https://preferencecentre.ahdb.org.uk) so that you can:
* Easily update your preferences and contact information
* Get information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and more
* Receive important updates such as disease alerts
As agri-food markets become more uncertain, driven by changing weather, geopolitics, energy costs and changing consumer demands, the team are joined by colleagues to track the latest trends and explain what it all means for our levy payer businesses. And what impact it has on consumers.
Each week the trio throw the spotlight on at least one sector, with the focus shared between arable, dairy, pork, beef and lamb as well as the wider farming industry. These sectors are ruled by the forces of economics and supply and demand which is why this podcast combines AGriculture and ecONOMICS.
Given commodity markets, their multi-annual cycles and key inputs continue to evolve, the hosts draw on their extensive expertise to offer insight to help farmers and supply chains alike navigate the volatility and capitalise on opportunities.
If you have a question, or a suggestion for a future episode, please email the team at: mailto:agonomics@ahdb.org.uk
Sign up to the AHDB Preference Centre (https://preferencecentre.ahdb.org.uk) so that you can:
* Easily update your preferences and contact information
* Get information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and more
* Receive important updates such as disease alerts
66 Episodes
Reverse
The Farmbench team join Tom and Hannah to help call time on the podcast as they explain how they give farmers the ability to compare themselves to similar businesses.A new genetic tool called EnviroBeef that aims to reduce the carbon footprint of suckler beef is also discussed along with a report looking at the economic impact of the English red meat sector and the latest harvest updates.Plus, find out who's getting married and what's getting planted in the ground as a result?Some useful stuff from the world of AHDB:Farmbench - a farm business comparison tool | AHDBEnviroBeef | AHDBThe economic impact of the English red meat sector | AHDBHarvest progress across the UK, reports and interactive tool | AHDBIf you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.ukSign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:Easily update your preferences and contact informationGet information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and moreReceive important updates such as disease alerts
The Agonomics team welcome their boss David Swales to discuss beef price elasticity and what it means for consumers and processors. They also catch up with their even bigger former boss, departing CEO Graham Wilkinson, to chat about his time at AHDB.Plus, what do milk price indicators AMPE, MCVE and MMV mean?And find out who had a memorable (for all the wrong reasons) experience after landing in Chicago.Back to the useful stuff talked about on the show:Predicting beef demand as retail prices rise | AHDBRising prices for beef in dining-out market forecast to impact consumer demand | AHDBAMPE and MCVE calculator | AHDBIf you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.ukSign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:Easily update your preferences and contact informationGet information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and moreReceive important updates such as disease alerts
Despite being able to negotiate free trade agreements, the EU remains the UK's most important trading partner. AHDB's Amandeep Kaur Purewal joins the Agonomics team to discuss what it means for exports of red meat and dairy.The spotlight also falls on abattoirs and cold storage facilities to understand how the structure of the beef and lamb processing sector in England has changed over time.Plus, find out which A-Level subject our presenters all have in common.Before we forget - some really interesting and useful bits from the website:Prospects for UK agri-food exports: Europe – EU 27 | AHDBProspects for UK agri-food exports | AHDBHow has the structure of the beef and lamb processing sector changed over time? | AHDBIf you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.ukSign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:Easily update your preferences and contact informationGet information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and moreReceive important updates such as disease alerts
Pork is the focus in this episode as the Agonomics team are joined by AHDB colleagues Freya Shuttleworth and Vanessa Adamson to discuss the outlook for the market alongside current demand. They also look at public trust in farmers and what it means for buying British.Plus, find out who has never set foot in in a Greggs bakery.Some useful links:Pork market outlook | AHDBQ2 2025 Pork cost of production | AHDBConsumer positivity towards British agriculture and trust in farming hits six-year high | AHDBIf you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.ukSign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:Easily update your preferences and contact informationGet information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and moreReceive important updates such as disease alerts
In an (almost) all-female episode, AHDB Senior Analyst Becky Smith and Retail and Consumer Insight Manager Emma Wantling are in to take us through the current outlook for the beef market, along with demand, predictions and how things are going in retail and food service.CEO news, dodgy puns and teasers for future guests are also on the cards. Useful stuff:Beef market outlook | AHDBNew modelling on rising prices for beef forecast to impact consumer demand | AHDBEngland abattoir numbers – cattle and sheep | AHDBRed meat retail performance - 13 July 2025 | AHDBRed meat foodservice performance – 15 June 2025 | AHDBIf you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.ukSign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:Easily update your preferences and contact informationGet information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and moreReceive important updates such as disease alerts
AHDB Analyst Grace Bolton joins the Agonomics team to talk through the headlines from the Lamb market outlook's mid-year update, with new season lambs coming through later, lighter and in slightly fewer numbers. Charlotte highlights yoghurt's positive performance in the home while Hannah and Tom help explain the importance of the milk-to-feed-price ratio for dairy farmers.Plus, find out which member of the team won't be needing to to use a comb in the near future.Useful stuff:Lamb market outlook | AHDBYogurt’s positive performance in-home highlights opportunities to push harder | AHDBMilk to feed price ratio (MFPR) | AHDBIf you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.ukSign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:Easily update your preferences and contact informationGet information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and moreReceive important updates such as disease alerts
New AHDB Chair, Emily Norton, joins the Agonomics team to discuss her appointment as well as her aspirations for the organisation and farming in general. Emily says she's not here to fight for a "single version of any particular future" of agriculture and intends to make sure AHDB continues to serve all levy payers.Plus, find out how the recruitment process is going in the search for a new CEO.Useful links:New Chair of AHDB appointed by Defra Ministers | AHDBGraham Wilkinson to step down as AHDB CEO | AHDBHome | AHDBIf you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.ukSign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:Easily update your preferences and contact informationGet information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and moreReceive important updates such as disease alerts
UK tractor registrations have fallen significantly to their lowest level in over two decades and the Agonomics team discuss what may have caused this sharp drop. They also look at AHDB's first report of the earliest harvest for at least 19 years and this week's big question is around the importance of carcase balance.Plus, could we be expecting a lot of new jumpers to be knitted, as a sheep-shearing record falls?Useful links:Tractor market hits 25-year low as confidence wanes | AHDBFirst harvest report of 2025 off to earliest start in 19 years | AHDBMarkets and prices | AHDBIf you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.ukSign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:Easily update your preferences and contact informationGet information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and moreReceive important updates such as disease alerts
The Agonomics team take a look back at Groundswell, the regenerative agriculture festival, where Charlotte was part of one of the discussion panels. From AI in farming to wireworms, Charlotte's report from the two-day event brings you a flavour of what took place at Lannock Farm in Hitchin.Tom also looks at the difference between land sparing and land sharing.Plus, have you ever met a member of the Royal family?Some relevant links:AHDB champions evidence at Groundswell 2025 | AHDBIdentification and management of wireworms in field crops | AHDBRetail and consumer insight | AHDBIf you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.ukSign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:Easily update your preferences and contact informationGet information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and moreReceive important updates such as disease alerts
As early harvesting begins, the Agonomics team are joined by AHDB's Lead Analyst for C&O, Millie Askew, to look at the latest crop conditions across the UK.Charlotte and Tom report back from the National Craft Butchers event in Nottingham as well as explaining what diseconomies of scale refer to.Plus, find out which presenter is rather proud of where they grew up.Important stuff to read:Mixed fortunes for UK crops as rain offers partial relief | AHDBDirect selling of beef, lamb and pork meat boxes from the farm | AHDBIf you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.ukSign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:Easily update your preferences and contact informationGet information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and moreReceive important updates such as disease alerts
Tom's joined by AHDB Senior Analyst Becky Smith to discuss the trends of cattle slaughter ages in GB, with dairy-beef generally finishing later than suckler-bred animals.Charlotte runs through her review of Easter looking, in part, at how beef and lamb fared.And Hannah's question about how many Olympic-sized swimming pools of milk we produced last year is answered. Let's just say it's quite a few!Some useful info:Beef market update: BCMS data shows recent uptick in average slaughter ages for prime cattle | AHDBEaster 2025 review: Beef vs Lamb | AHDBDairy markets | AHDBIf you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.ukSign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:Easily update your preferences and contact informationGet information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and moreReceive important updates such as disease alerts
When it comes to dairy products, just how well are the organic and protein-rich markets faring? Hannah, Charlotte and Tom find out as they're joined by AHDB analyst Annabel Twinberrow.Following the recent spending review the team recap what we know so far before looking at the importance of seasonal demand for our farmers.Plus, find out what's been in producer Martin's lunchbox recently...Important links:Consumers demand natural, high protein dairy products | AHDBSpring Spending Review explained | AHDBEaster 2025 review: Beef vs Lamb | AHDBIf you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.ukSign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:Easily update your preferences and contact informationGet information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and moreReceive important updates such as disease alerts
The results from this year's Planting and Variety Survey are revealed as Charlotte, Hannah and Tom are joined by AHDB Senior Analyst Helen Plant to discuss them in more detail.We also hear what happened when 28 buyers from across the globe took part in our biggest ever inward mission for the red meat sector.And as 10 top tips for managing cabbage stem flea beetle are announced, find out which member of the team once shared a caravan with the pests!Some useful links:Planting and Variety Survey | AHDBBiggest red meat inward trade mission highlights global appetite for British produce | AHDBReboot for cabbage stem flea beetle management in OSR | AHDBIf you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.ukSign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:Easily update your preferences and contact informationGet information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and moreReceive important updates such as disease alerts
Charlotte, Hannah and Tom take over the reins as David looks at the economics of agriculture for one last time. Among the topics discussed are flexitarian diets, Donald Trump's tariffs and why AHDB reports on pricing.Plus, who makes the lousiest cup of coffee?More on the important stuff:Video – What does future red meat consumption look like? | AHDBImpact of UK-US deal on UK agriculture | AHDBMarkets and prices | AHDBIf you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.ukSign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:Easily update your preferences and contact informationGet information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and moreReceive important updates such as disease alerts
AHDB chair Nicholas Saphir joins David to talk about his life in farming as he comes to the end of his five years in the role. Nicholas offers insight into British agriculture, how it compares to the rest of the world, and the challenges that lie ahead.Plus, find out how David's getting on growing his own vegetables.More on the chair of AHDB:Nicholas Saphir to stand down as AHDB chair in spring 2025 | AHDBNew Chair of AHDB appointed by Defra Ministers | AHDBHome | AHDBIf you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.ukSign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:Easily update your preferences and contact informationGet information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and moreReceive important updates such as disease alerts
There’s been a lot of talk about trade deals of late with new agreements in place with the US, India and most recently the EU. David's joined by his AHDB colleagues Sarah Baker and Amandeep Purewal to discuss the impact these arrangements could have on our farmers and levy payers.Plus, welcome to the world baby Evie.More on global trade:UK–EU trade summit presents opportunity for agri-food exports | AHDBWhat will the new UK-India Trade Deal mean for red meat and dairy? | AHDBAnalyst Insight: What does the UK-US deal mean for the domestic grain market? | AHDBIf you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.ukSign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:Easily update your preferences and contact informationGet information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and moreReceive important updates such as disease alerts
The Land Use Framework presents an approach to inform and improve decision-making on how land is best used and managed to achieve Defra’s land use vision. In this episode David's joined by Lead Environment Specialist, Saskia van Dongen, to go through the five points AHDB raised for consideration during a recent consultation period.Plus, is buying a horse excessive?More on the framework:AHDB submits consultation response on Land Use Framework | AHDBBlog: Why a robust evidence base is essential to a successful Land Use Framework | AHDBOur responses to consultations | AHDBIf you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.ukSign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:Easily update your preferences and contact informationGet information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and moreReceive important updates such as disease alerts
David delves into the world of natural capital to understand the potential ways farmers could get a financial return on their stock of natural resources such as trees, water, biodiversity, and soils. AHDB analyst Hannah Clarke is also on hand to run through the latest trends in some of the markets.Plus, find out who is a fan of The Cure.More on natural capital:Natural capital checklist for farmers | AHDBNatural capital: Leveraging environmental assets on farm roadshow | AHDBAdditional income streams – what natural capital and government schemes are available to you? | AHDBIf you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.ukSign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:Easily update your preferences and contact informationGet information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and moreReceive important updates such as disease alerts
When exploring the impact of Brexit on the UK pork industry, it's important to understand that there have been multiple compounding factors at play. AHDB analysts Charlotte Forkes-Rees, Hannah Clarke, and Tom Spencer take the reins in order to go through the finer details.Plus, what were you doing five years ago? The Agonomics team reveal how the Covid lockdown affected them.More on the pork industry:The UK pork industry post-Brexit: A five-year overview | AHDBUK-US pork trade and Trump's tariffs | AHDBChina pork market: offal imports continue to grow despite changing consumption | AHDBIf you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.ukSign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:Easily update your preferences and contact informationGet information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and moreReceive important updates such as disease alerts
David's joined by AHDB's Head of Economic Analysis, Sarah Baker, to help farmers understand the impact recent tariffs US President Donald Trump introduced could have on UK and global agricultural markets. The pair strip it down to the basics of supply and demand to help make sense of the current uncertainty.Plus, did you spot a mystery Easter bunny running about Ipswich over the bank holiday? David has all the details...More on Tariffs:The US imposes 10% tariff on all UK exports to the US | AHDBTrade and policy: food, farming and agriculture | AHDBUK-US pork trade and Trumps tariffs | AHDBIf you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.ukSign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:Easily update your preferences and contact informationGet information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and moreReceive important updates such as disease alerts
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States