With cost the hot topic on many people's lips, both producers and consumers, David and Jack are joined by AHDB analyst Jess Corsair to discuss the cost of pig production. They talk markets, margins and look ahead to upcoming COP (cost of production) work.

To find out more, visit:

Pork: Cost of production and performance | AHDB

Pig production costs calculators | AHDB

Pork Cost of Production and Net Margins | AHDB

Q2 2024 Pork cost of production | AHDB

If you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: [email protected]

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The beef market outlook is AHDB’s forecast for the next 12 months, and potentially longer. David and Jack are joined by Hannah Clarke to discuss the most recent update.

Looking at supply, demand and trade, they discuss prime cattle slaughter figures, UK beef production, expected imports and exports, and the reduction of dairy and suckler herds.

To read the beef market outlook: Beef market outlook

If you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: [email protected]

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As applications for the expanded offer of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) open, David and Jack take a look at what it could mean for your farm business. The pair have come up with five top tips to help when you're considering which SFI actions are most appropriate.

You can also find out what Jack used to get paid to do on his dad's farm and discover why employees of one particular supermarket are talking about this show.

Some useful bits on SFI:

Sustainable Farming Incentive | AHDB

Stacking options for SFI | AHDB

Agroforestry in the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) | AHDB

If you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: [email protected]

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Farmbench, an online benchmarking tool that allows you to compare your farm to similar businesses, is put under the spotlight as David and Jack take their usual chat beyond just market analysis. The hosts are joined by AHDB's lead Farmbench manager, Julie Clark, to understand what's involved.

Plus there's talk of Pig World, karaoke and Ikea furniture.

More on Farmbench and other AHDB projects:

Farmbench - a farm business comparison tool | AHDB

Projects | AHDB

If you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: [email protected]

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The wet weather means we've seen a dramatic decline in cereals and oilseed rape this year - down to their lowest levels for over two decades in fact, according to the latest Planting and Variety Survey. David and Jack are joined by C&O analyst Matt Darragh to go through the report.

Plus find out how Jack's been setting a new trend in footwear at AHDB's HQ.

More on the important survey:

Planting and Variety Survey | AHDB

Lowest cereals and OSR area in GB for over two decades: Grain market daily | AHDB

If you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: [email protected]

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The characteristics of the top-performing farms are scrutinised by David and Jack as they're joined by Sarah Baker, AHDB's head of economics (analysis). The results of this year's report are intended to help farmers raise the performance of their farm business, regardless of current profitability.

Also up for discussion are the Muppets, Iain Dowie and a ham sandwich. And can you guess the mystery words or phrases that have been shoehorned into the episode?

Links to the important stuff:

Characteristics of top-performing farms 2024 | AHDB

Characteristics of top and bottom performing beef and sheep farms | AHDB

Characteristics of top and bottom performing cereals and oilseeds farms | AHDB

Characteristics of top and bottom performing dairy farms | AHDB

If you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: [email protected]

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With the latest inflation figure out, David and Jack look at how it's affecting shopping behaviours. They're joined by members of AHDB's Retail and Consumer Insight Team to help identify other factors that are causing trends at the tills.

Plus there's more barbecue talk and another suggestion for what fans of the show should be called.

Back to consumer trends - here are some useful links:

Retail and consumer trends: Meat and dairy | AHDB

Retail and consumer insight | AHDB

Consumers turning to flexitarian meals due to cost concerns | AHDB

If you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: [email protected]

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David and Jack are joined by red meat analyst Isabelle Shohet to go through the latest lamb market outlook which suggests total sheep meat production is expected to fall this year. The trio also discuss the lamb Down Under as volume in Australia grows.

And there's a nod to barbecues, crocheting, Taylor Swift and building sheep sheds. All bases covered then!

Important lamb stuff from the AHDB website:

Lamb market outlook | AHDB

Lamb markets | AHDB

If you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: [email protected]

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David and Jack begin with a look at why pork market prices have been stable so far this calendar year and what an extended run for Gareth Southgate's squad at Euro 2024 could do for demand. And while it's all quiet on the pig front, the same can't be said for the grain markets as we enter a critical and volatile time of the year with the harvests across Europe.

So, all eyes on Germany... and Russia and Ukraine this summer!

Plus, David reveals which former Loose Women panellist is already a fan of the show. And find out why a Katie Perry song holds fond memories for Jack.

Anyway, back to the important stuff:

Q1 2024 Pork cost of production | AHDB

Pig to feed wheat price ratio | AHDB

Warmest May on record benefited UK crop growth: Grain market daily | AHDB

If you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: [email protected]

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Agonomics with David & Jack is a new series from AHDB exploring the stories behind the numbers from the world of agriculture.

The podcast will see two of our top economists David Eudall and Jack Watts throw a weekly spotlight on the markets as well as mulling over wide-ranging issues that could impact profitability.

For more on the work AHDB does for levy payers visit: Home | AHDB