AHDB Food & Farming

John Bates speaks to Louise Woodward from the AHDB marketing team 

behind the campaign and potato sector chair Alison Levett about why the humble jacket potato has taken centre stage in The new packed lunch AHDB campaign. 

The six week campaign (the campaign has now been extended until end of March 2021) talks about 

the versatility of baked potatoes in health conscious and delicious looking recipes with some great cooking tips all as part of the campaign.

Host: John Bates

If you would like to share your feedback about this episode, or if you have any suggestions, please contact podcast producer Maria Covlea at [email protected]

In this podcast Stephen West, AHDB knowledge exchange manager for AHDB Dairy talks to Dr. Temple Grandin, a globally respected animal behaviourist from Colorado State University, who changed the way the US handled cattle. He finds out Grandin’s top tips for handling both beef and dairy cattle.

We also held a webinar in February, which can be viewed on YouTube Cattle handling with Temple Grandin.

More information

Improving cattle handling for better returns 

templegrandin.com

Dr. Grandin is a designer of livestock handling facilities and a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. Facilities she has designed are located in the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries. In North America, almost half of the cattle are handled in a center track restrainer system that she designed for meat plants. Curved chute and race systems she has designed for cattle are used worldwide and her writings on the flight zone and other principles of grazing animal behavior have helped many people to reduce stress on their animals during handling.

She has also developed an objective scoring system for assessing handling of cattle and pigs at meat plants. This scoring system is being used by many large corporations to improve animal welfare. Other areas of research are: cattle temperament, environmental enrichment for pigs, reducing dark cutters and bruises, bull fertility, training procedures, and effective stunning methods for cattle and pigs at meat plants.

She obtained her B.A. at Franklin Pierce College and her M.S. in Animal Science at Arizona State University. Dr. Grandin received her Ph.D in Animal Science from the University of Illinois in 1989. Today she teaches courses on livestock behaviour and facility design at Colorado State University and consults with the livestock industry on facility design, livestock handling, and animal welfare. She has appeared on television shows such as 20/20, 48 Hours, CNN Larry King Live, PrimeTime Live, 60 Minutes, the Today Show, and many shows in other countries. She has been featured in People Magazine, the New York Times, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report, Time Magazine, the New York Times book review, and Discover magazine. In 2010, Time Magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people. Interviews with Dr. Grandin have been broadcast on National Public Radio and she has a 2010 TED Lecture titled "The World Needs ALL Kinds of Minds." She has also authored over 400 articles in both scientific journals and livestock periodicals on animal handling, welfare, and facility design. She is the author of "Thinking in Pictures", "Livestock Handling and Transport," "Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals," "Guide to Working with Farm Animals," and "Humane Livestock Handling." Her books "Animals in Translation" and "Animals Make Us Human" were both on the New York Times best seller list. "Animals Make Us Human" was also on the Canadian best seller list. Her latest book, Calling All Minds, was a New York Times best seller for middle school students. Her life story has also been made into an HBO movie titled "Temple Grandin, staring Claire Danes," which won seven Emmy awards and a Golden Globe. The movie shows her life as a teenager and how she started her career. In 2017, she was inducted into The Women's Hall of Fame and in 2018 made a fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Two months ago the transition period from Britain being a full-blown member of the European Union came to an end. Over several weeks since we have seen reports and comments about increased paperwork, delays and the slow resumption of normal levels of traffic, at the borders.

In this podcast, John Bates interviews Sarah Baker, AHDB’s agricultural economist who explains the implications of new policies for farmers, growers and exporters since leaving the EU. Our special guest, Rizvan Khalid MD from Euro Quality Lamb will also join us to share his experience as a meat exporter and if the theory matches reality.

Feedback survey: We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you’d like to give your feedback, please complete our short questionnaire, which will help us to improve the podcast on an ongoing basis.

Podcast produced and edited by Aisha Shabnam

Email: [email protected]

Being part of an industry, which is frequently criticised for not doing enough to reduce its impact on the environment, it can be tough to know what and who to listen to. The more we all understand about the carbon cycle, and where we as farmers fit into it, the sooner we can understand how we can make a difference.

This year, AHDB has launched Carbon Week, which takes place the first week in March (1 – 5 March) with the aim of sharing factual and practical information about what farmers can do to reduce carbon emissions on their farm. 

Farming in the UK is responsible for 10% of the nation’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. But the incredible thing about farming is that we have the ability to enhance the environment too, through sustainable land-use and management practices. For example, soils are for the third largest store of carbon, with the ability to absorb carbon from the atmosphere and locking it into the ground.

In this podcast we begin with an overview of what greenhouse gases are and where farming fits into the equation with Jon Foot, Head of AHDB’s environment team. We are then joined by two farmers Tom Pearson and Phil White to tell us about their journey so far with reducing their carbon footprint on farm and changes they have made to their business. Finally, we speak to one of AHDB's senior scientists Harley Stoddart to explain what each sector can do to help make a difference. 

Tom Pearson tips: Things as simple as not cutting your hedgerow every year and rainwater harvesting. If you are combining carbon footprinting with a regenerative agriculture approach then there are some incredible opportunities. Lots of other industries are having to publish their carbon footprint for their product, we should be publishing ours.  

Phil White tips: One of the biggest changes so far has been implementing rotational grazing. I am convinced that this have lead to significant improvement in pasture quality and quantity and well as soil organic matter. Another immediate change is a move from a more intensive system where we housed our livestock through winter, to an outwintering and bale grazing approach. It has to make sense financially as well but from what I have seen so far I have seen the financial benefits already. 

Useful links:

Carbon week https://ahdb.org.uk/carbon-week 

Carbon footprinting https://ahdb.org.uk/news/ahdb-launches-on-farm-carbon-footprinting 

Calculating your carbon footprint https://ahdb.org.uk/farm-excellence/Coton-Wood-Farm/calculating-and-reducing-your-carbon-footprint

ELMS https://ahdb.org.uk/news/new-details-on-elms-design

Carbon https://ahdb.org.uk/carbon

Rethinking Methane video https://youtu.be/UOPrF8oyDYw 

Nathalie Key, AHDB Horticulture Knowledge Exchange Manager for Protected Edibles and Mushrooms is joined by Jonathan Swain, Technical Director at NFU Energy, leader of the Growsave project. Also joining is Eirinn Rusbridge, Project Manager at NFU Energy, Rebecca Fry, Development Manager at Neame Lea (an ornamentals growing business) and Georgia Whitehouse, a geography student at Leeds University specialising in carbon emissions and who has been working at Neame Lea.

 

The group explore the carbon emissions targets of net zero, carbon auditing work in an ornamental commercial environment including the relationship with wider retail, and what this could mean for the wider horticulture industry. 

 

Useful links:

 

·         https://ahdb.org.uk/growsave

·         https://www.nfuenergy.co.uk/ 

·         https://www.bridgefarmgroup.co.uk/the-group/neame-lea/ 

The evidence suggests shoppers are becoming increasingly curious about where their food comes from.

 

Red Tractor says the logo is seen on around £14bn worth of food products sold each year, and many retailers incorporate the logo on their advertising as the Red Tractor Assurance Scheme famously covers from farm-to-fork. 

 

Behind the scenes, 46,000 farms are members and inspected by independent assessors and standards enforced by the Red Tractor team. Chief Executive Jim Mosely joins the podcast to explain proposed changes to standards and the chance farmers and stakeholders have to be a part of the consultation. 

Jim Moseley says the consultation is genuine and Red Tractor are listening but it’s fair to say some members have not welcomed the proposals – hear the facts behind this story.

Read the full news story and have your say.

Feedback survey: We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you’d like to give your feedback, please complete our short questionnaire, which will help us to improve the podcast on an ongoing basis.

Podcast produced and edited by Aisha Shabnam

Email: [email protected]

In this episode Antonia Walker, AHDB Senior Knowledge Transfer Manager, talks to agronomist Andy Steven and Agri‑Business Consultant Philip Dunn​, about the things potato growers should take in consideration when renting land.

The conversation looks at aspects such as soil quality but also legal aspects regarding the contracts.

Host: Antonia Walker - AHDB Senior Knowledge Transfer Manager

Speakers:

If you would like to share your feedback about this episode, or if you have any suggestions, please contact podcast producer Maria Covlea at [email protected]

A ballot to decide the future of AHDB Horticulture has concluded and the outturn has been passed to Ministers for a decision on what happens next.

In this podcast, John Bates interviews Nicholas Saphir, AHDB's Chair on the outcome of the horticulture ballot results.  The voting information reported by UK Engage shows different sentiment across different crop sectors and size of business – it is really a very complex picture. Learn what the results are and the next steps for growers.

The overall voter turnout was 69%. By individual votes cast, the No vote was 61% versus the Yes vote of 39%. Voting analysis by UK Engage according to value of levy paid, showed a reverse picture of 57% Yes votes versus No votes of 43%.

Feedback survey: We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you’d like to give your feedback, please complete our short questionnaire, which will help us to improve the podcast on an ongoing basis.

Podcast produced and edited by Aisha Shabnam

Email: [email protected]

Potato sector levy payers have a ballot and between the 17 February and 17 March 2021 AHDB want you to cast a vote. 

To help make a judgement about whether you vote Yes or No, as well as this podcast AHDB is running meetings, sending information to levy payers and answering questions to guide levy payers towards the necessary information about how and why to vote.

In this podcast hear Alison Levett, potato sector board chair and Nicholas Saphir, AHDB chairman talk to John Bates about why it’s important to vote yes – a yes vote is for change.

 

Host: John Bates

Useful links:

What do I get for my levy page 

What do I get for my levy podcast 

If you would like to share your feedback about this episode, or if you have any suggestions, please contact podcast producer Maria Covlea at [email protected]

Jen Waters, Head of Knowledge Exchange (Pork)

Duncan Wyatt, Lead Analyst (Livestock)

Lauren Dimmack, Animal Health & Welfare Scientist

Christine Walsh, Head of Transitional Support

Felicity Rusk, Analyst (Dairy & Livestock)

In this pork-focused episode, we discuss the standard pig price (SPP) with Duncan Wyatt and Jen waters. We talk about out what does and doesn’t contribute to it, the impact of heavy pigs, and whether the price rises as quickly as it falls. 

We also talk about export health certificates (EHC) – what’s changed, what you need to do to comply, and the latest position with Trichinella testing.

Pig prices and market news

Pork markets

GB deadweight pig prices (EU spec)

'What effect do heavy pigs have on the SPP?' article

Information and FAQs

'Use of Export Health Certificates to be extended' article

Information from Defra if you export or move food, drink and agricultural products

Webinars for exporters of products of animal origin, live animals, plants and plant products to the EU

Contact Defra directly: [email protected] 

Login page: https://www.pighub.org.uk/iip/home.eb

User guides: https://www.pighub.org.uk/iip/global_nav/help.eb

eAML2 helpline number: 0844 335 8400

We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you’d like to give your feedback, please complete our short questionnaire, which will help us to improve the podcast on an ongoing basis.