Kite Consulting

John Allen, Becki Leach
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Kite Consulting Podcast

Kite Consulting provide business services to the entire food supply chain, from farmer to retailer and are widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading dairy consultancy companies.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    IFCN 2024 Conference: key messages and take homes

    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.

    48 min

  2. 13 SEPT

    Bluetongue update

    After Chris’ report this week we are joined by Lorraine Blaxell, a Vet from Three Rivers and Chapelfield Vets and Jonny Crickmore, a dairy farmer from Bungay in Suffolk to discuss the latest outbreak of the Bluetongue (BTV3) virus in the UK. Lorraine explains what the virus is, the animals that are affected and some of the main signs and symptoms we might expect to see as well as how the virus is spread and what treatment looks like for infected animals. She outlines the impact and legal steps that must be followed when an outbreak is identified on farm, including movement restrictions & possible culling if this outbreak is found in a new area of the country not already under restriction. Jonny explains what the control zones mean for his business within East Anglia and what steps they are taking to try and avoid contracting the disease as much as possible. Lorraine also explains the impact a pending vaccine could have, as well as how an extended period of cold weather could help stop the spread of the virus.

    40 min

  3. 6 SEPT

    Feed markets & forage situation on farm

    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.

    44 min

  4. 30 AUG

    Record Breaking Butter Prices

    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.

    48 min

  5. 23 AUG

    Calf rearing & heifer management….can we do it better?

    After Chris’ report this week, Will is joined by Kite Consultant Emily Stafford and Lincolnshire dairy farmer Zara Dorrington to discuss the importance of good calf and heifer rearing practices on farm. Emily explains why Kite have just updated the heifer rearing blueprint document, with new developments, new research and new technologies available and how this relates back to better heifer rearing, increased profit and also reduces a farms carbon footprint. Emily outlines the importance of the first 50 days & the potential cost to a business of both good and bad practices. Zara explains how they apply all of this on a practical basis on farm and what protocols are in place to meet these KPI’s, especially around disease transfer, feeding & the importance of good staff, as well as what they have done to improve conditions for youngstock on her farm

    37 min

  6. 16 AUG

    Organic Dairy: battered, bruised, but back on the up?

    After Chris’ report this week, he joins Will and Ben with guests Rob Daykin from Daykin Partnership and North Devon farmer Adam Stanbury to discuss Organic Dairy. Following the report this week co-authored by Rob, Chris and John Allen, titled “Organic Dairy: battered, bruised but back on the up?”, Rob and Chris discuss the organic milk markets after a sustained period of poor milk price & how the cost-of-living crisis has affected organic demand, as well as the challenge to processors in managing seasonal supply of organic milk; typically tight supplies in autumn and oversupply in spring. Rob & Adam discuss the challenges facing organic dairy farmers such as availability of raw materials, with reliance on importation & recent geopolitical instability. They also touch on the rise of regen ag & potential opportunities to work together & learn from each other to help drive organic dairy forward.

    52 min

  7. 9 AUG

    Capital Investment for Future Proofing Dairy

    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.

    42 min

  8. 2 AUG

    An update on Irish dairy

    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.

    49 min
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About

Kite Consulting provide business services to the entire food supply chain, from farmer to retailer and are widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading dairy consultancy companies.

Information

  • Creator
    John Allen, Becki Leach
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    223
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2020 Kite Consulting all rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Kite Consulting

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