Agonomics

This week’s AG Show is absolutely stacked.

We’re diving into a huge project that’s been seven years in the making - Challenge Sheep - and hearing what farmers Ian and Anna Wilson have actually taken from it. It’s all about body condition, breeding ewes younger, and what that really means for lifetime performance.

Then… it gets interesting.

Never mind the bullocks, here comes the rewilder. Derek Gow joins us to explain why he ditched conventional farming to hand his land back to nature. But will any of that thinking rub off on his neighbour, Devon farmer and previous AG Show guest Derek Banbury?

Perfect timing, too - because both Dereks are about to hit the big screen in a brand new film: Derek vs Derek.

SOME USEFUL BITS (FROM AHDB & BEYOND)

Challenge Sheep | AHDB

www.derekvsderek.com/screenings

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Charlotte, Hannah, Phil and Producer Martin would love to hear what you think! Got feedback, stories, or ideas for future episodes? Drop them a message at [email protected].

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The AG Show hit the ground running at the Pig & Poultry Fair, catching up with some of the UK’s pig meat exporters and hearing how producer Fergus Howie got his start trading overseas in Dubai.

AHDB trade butcher Martin Eccles also breaks down why offal is such a big deal in certain global markets – and how its value can really stack up.

Plus, Irish pig producer Shane McAuliffe shares some top tips on owning your farm’s story, whether that’s making the most of social media or getting stuck into your local community.

SOME USEFUL BITS (FROM AHDB & BEYOND)

Exports | AHDB

The British Pig & Poultry Fair

Pig Farming in Ireland - McAuliffe Pig Farms

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Charlotte, Hannah and Producer Martin would love to hear what you think! Got feedback, stories, or ideas for future episodes? Drop them a message at [email protected].

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The AG Show is hitting its half-year mark, and we’re kicking things off with the BUCS Super Rugby Milk Championships - where student athletes are getting a proper look at why dairy still earns its place on the team sheet. Turns out, milk’s doing a lot more than just filling your tea mug.

We also break down what an Advertising Standards Authority ruling means for AHDB’s Let’s Eat Balanced campaign - and why it’s sticking around.

And we’re back with part two of our chat with Cornish beef and sheep farmer Will Whiting, as he shares what it’s really been like taking on the 200-acre farm next door. Missed the first half? Go and catch up in the revious episode - trust us, it’s worth it.

SOME USEFUL BITS (FROM AHDB & BEYOND)

Milk Every Moment | AHDB

BUCS British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS)

Home - Let's Eat Balanced

Fursdon Farming - YouTube

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Charlotte, Hannah and Producer Martin would love to hear what you think! Got feedback, stories, or ideas for future episodes? Drop them a message at [email protected].

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It’s a 200‑acre leap of faith for one of our guests on this episode of The AG Show, after they took the plunge and snapped up the neighbouring land and buildings. Cornish sheep and beef farmer Will Whiting joins us to talk about what tipped him over the edge - and how a friendly wager with fellow YouTuber Cammy Wilson is spurring him on.

We also dig into how pig producers, vets, processors and everyone in between can get the most out of AHDB’s Workshop in a Box – a handy digital toolkit designed to help build a solid African swine fever contingency plan.

Plus, why does the UK look so tempting to sweet potato growers over in North Carolina, USA? And is there anything British exporters could nick from their playbook?

SOME USEFUL BITS (FROM AHDB & BEYOND)

Fursdon Farming - YouTube

ASF contingency planning: Workshop in a box for pig farms and vets | AHDB

North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission | Home

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Charlotte, Hannah and Producer Martin would love to hear what you think! Got feedback, stories, or ideas for future episodes? Drop them a message at [email protected].

Sign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:

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The AG Show team catch up with filmmaker James Dawson and one of the two farmers at the heart of his new film, Derek vs Derek. The documentary looks at what happens when two very different approaches to managing land meet - quite literally - on opposite sides of a Devon lane.

James asks a simple but provocative question: What’s it like living next door to Britain’s most notorious rewilder? We hear from Derek Banbury, a dairy and beef farmer who’s had a front‑row seat to watching his neighbour, former sheep farmer Derek Gow, drastically change how his land is used by reintroducing endangered species as part of a major conservation project.

The team also get into the Pork Environmental Roadmap, breaking down what it means and how it sets out a shared, evidence‑based plan to help drive environmental progress across the pork industry.

SOME USEFUL BITS (FROM AHDB & BEYOND)

Derek vs Derek | What's it like to live nextdoor to Britain's most notorious rewilder?

The Pork Environmental Roadmap | AHDB

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Charlotte, Hannah and Producer Martin would love to hear what you think! Got feedback, stories, or ideas for future episodes? Drop them a message at [email protected].

Sign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:

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The AG Show links up with Jeremy Clarkson’s pub, The Farmer’s Dog, for a chat about Great British Beef Week. We catch up with head butcher Charlotte Kingham, who shares her top tips for picking the perfect steak – plus a bit of behind-the-scenes gossip about what life’s really like at the pub when the cameras aren’t on.

Elsewhere in the episode, AHDB might just be tackling one of farming’s biggest headaches: entering the same data over and over again. Input once, use many times is the aim of the Farm Data Exchange, and project lead Adam Short joins us to explain how the proof-of-concept pilot has been going.

And with spring marathon season in full swing, we’ve also got a bit of running chat.

SOME USEFUL BITS (FROM AHDB & BEYOND)

Great British Beef Week | AHDB

The Farmer's Dog - Jeremy Clarkson’s proper British pub

– KNGM Sportswear

Proof of concept pilot demonstrates AHDB’s Farm Data Exchange is viable and supported by industry | AHDB

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Charlotte, Hannah and Producer Martin would love to hear what you think! Got feedback, stories, or ideas for future episodes? Drop them a message at [email protected].

Sign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:

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The AG Show team dives into the world of red meat and dairy exports, finding out how AHDB helps open doors to new markets and keep vital trade routes moving. With the Iran war in the spotlight, we also hear how business across the Middle East is being affected.

There’s a shout-out to cereal and oilseed rape growers across the UK to take part in the annual Planting and Variety Survey, helping build an early picture of what this year’s harvest could look like.

Plus, find out who’s been granted permission to drive a flock of sheep across a bridge in London.

SOME USEFUL BITS (FROM AHDB & BEYOND)

Exports | AHDB

Global appetite for UK dairy and red meat sees exports hit record high of £4 billion | AHDB

Middle East | Latest News & Updates | BBC News

AHDB Planting Survey

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Charlotte, Hannah and Producer Martin would love to hear what you think! Got feedback, stories, or ideas for future episodes? Drop them a message at [email protected].

Sign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:

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It’s back to the classroom for The AG Show team as we dive into regional grass growth and how the industry is helping kids better understand where their food actually comes from.

We kick things off with Forage for Knowledge, a handy tool supporting farmers with grassland management - and with the help of a brand new F.I.E.L.D. Agent, we find out exactly what it brings to the table.

We also catch up with LEAF to hear how they’re teaming up with AHDB to make sure students get the full picture when it comes to sustainable, responsible farming.

Oh - and we discover who’s planning to swap wellies for cowboy spurs with a horse‑riding honeymoon on the cards.

SOME USEFUL BITS (FROM AHDB & BEYOND)

Forage for Knowledge | AHDB

Education – AHDB Catalogue

Home | Countryside Classroom

Sustainability in Agriculture | Countryside Classroom

Homepage - Open Farm Sunday

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Charlotte, Hannah and Producer Martin would love to hear what you think! Got feedback, stories, or ideas for future episodes? Drop them a message at [email protected].

Sign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:

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The AG Show is going full continental this week! We’re joined by a couple of our dairy farmers who’ve just landed back from an AHDB study tour in Denmark. They’ve come home buzzing with fresh ideas from one of the most forward‑thinking dairy industries out there… although it seems someone completely missed the memo about bringing back Danish pastries.

We’re also digging into how farmers and broadcasters are leaning on AHDB to make sense of how the conflict in the Middle East is hitting agriculture and food production. There’s even a brand‑new weekly fertiliser price tracker to help keep everyone in the loop.

And finally, did Hannah get grilled by her parents for daring to step into the kitchen wearing her wellies while farm‑sitting? You’ll have to listen in to find out…

SOME USEFUL BITS (FROM AHDB & BEYOND)

Dairy | AHDB

SEGES Innovation

Middle East conflict: Impacts and implications for UK farmers | AHDB

GB fertiliser prices | AHDB

GET IN TOUCH

Charlotte, Hannah and Producer Martin would love to hear what you think! Got feedback, stories, or ideas for future episodes? Drop them a message at [email protected].

Sign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:

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From roof to resource - The AG Show is teaming up with a project across nine farms in Cumbria that’s helping farmers kit out their buildings to collect and reuse rainwater. AHDB’s Beef and Lamb Engagement Manager for the North West, Karl Pendlebury, pops by to chat about what it’s all about.

Good job Karl’s on hand too, because Hannah’s attempts to join live from her parents’ calving shed are… well, let’s just say temperamental! Karl also talks about his role working directly with farmers - something our Chair, Emily Norton, recently dug into on the Meet the Farmers - The Big Debate podcast.

And Charlotte’s got the latest from the EU, where plant‑based foods might soon be banned from using labels like "fillet" or "bacon".

SOME USEFUL BITS (FROM AHDB & BEYOND)

Protecting the water supply for your crops | AHDB

West Cumbria Rivers Trust - Caring For West Cumbrian Rivers & Lakes

Farmers React to the Iran Conflict. And Does the AHDB Provide Value for Money? Big Debate ep10

Plant-based brands brace for ‘chaos’ after EU rule change | The Grocer

GET IN TOUCH

Charlotte, Hannah and Producer Martin would love to hear what you think! Got feedback, stories, or ideas for future episodes? Drop them a message at [email protected].

Sign up to the AHDB Preference Centre 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