Kite Consulting

By Becki ReayBusiness Management

Kite Consulting episodes

May 15 Managing Through Chaos: Key Insights from the DIN Conference
In Episode 295 of the Kite Podcast, Will Evans and Ben Eagle are joined by farmer Fraser Jones, podcast producer Becki Reay and milk market analyst Chris Walkland to unpack the highlights and key takeaways from the DIN Conference last week, held under the timely theme ‘managing through chaos’. The episode explores what that theme meant in practice, from geopolitical uncertainty and volatile milk markets to changing consumer demand and environmental pressures. Becki provides an overview of the conference and why it remains a key fixture in the dairy calendar, while the panel reflects on standout speakers and global perspectives from regions including France and the United States, highlighting both shared challenges and emerging opportunities. A strong message throughout is the importance of collaboration, innovation and investment across the supply chain, with Fraser bringing the discussion back to farm level and considering what practical lessons can be applied within his own business. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been
prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute
advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no
representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or
otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products
during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of AB Agri
Limited or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are
personal and may not be the views of AB Agri Limited . The contents of
this podcast are the copyright of AB Agri Limited.
46 min
May 01 NFU Dairy Board Hot Topics: permitting, FDOM & Iran impact on costs
In episode 294 of the Kite Podcast, hosts Will Evans and Ben Eagle welcome new NFU Dairy Board Chair Ian Harvey and Vice Chair Rob Davies, alongside regular contributor Chris Walkland for the latest milk market report. The discussion kicks off with an overview of the recent changes within the NFU Dairy Board and the pressing priorities that lie ahead for dairy farmers.
Ian and Rob outline key issues such as permitting challenges, water availability and the ongoing impact of geopolitical events on the dairy sector. They delve into the complexities of FDOM (The Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations), the importance of farmer engagement in the NFU’s permitting survey and the critical need for health and safety awareness within the industry.
Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been
prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute
advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no
representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or
otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products
during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of AB Agri
Limited or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are
personal and may not be the views of AB Agri Limited . The contents of
this podcast are the copyright of AB Agri Limited.
52 min
April 24 The SFS Launch: Support, Sustainability and the Future of Welsh Farming
Sustainable Farming Scheme Information
Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of AB Agri Limited or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of AB Agri Limited . The contents of this podcast are the copyright of AB Agri Limited.
50 min
April 17 From Uncertainty to Opportunity: IFCN Insights on the Future of Dairy
Kicking off with Chris Walklands’ Milk Market Report, Episode 292 of the Kite Podcast hosts Will Evans and Ben Eagle are joined by Philipp Goetz, Head of Sales and Business Development at IFCN, and podcast producer Becki Reay. The group delve into insights from a recent IFCN and Eucolait workshop that brought together from across the dairy industry to discuss what the future might look like. Discussions explore increasing pressures on dairy farmers, from rising input costs to geopolitical uncertainty, as well as significant structural shifts within the industry, including a gradual move in production from Western to Eastern Europe shaped by economic, regulatory and consumer trends. Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, Philipp outlines cautious market projections, mentioning that while short term challenges are expected to continue, longer term recovery remains possible, though likely slower and less predictable than hoped. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been
prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute
advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no
representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or
otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products
during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of AB Agri
Limited or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are
personal and may not be the views of AB Agri Limited . The contents of
this podcast are the copyright of AB Agri Limited.
38 min
April 10 The Future of Feed Efficiency: Tech, Costs and Smarter Dairy Management
In episode 291 of the Kite Podcast, we kick things off with Chris Walkland’s latest milk market report before Will Evans and Ben Eagle are joined by Kite Consulting’s Ben Watts and Suffolk dairy farmer Nathan Utting. Together, they explore one of dairy farming’s most pressing challenges: feed efficiency and its role in managing rising costs. The discussion highlights why truly understanding feed costs has never been more important for farm profitability. The team delves into Feedlync, an integrated feed management and weighing system that not only improves cost control but also helps farmers monitor productivity across groups and diets with real‑time accuracy. Nathan shares how the system has streamlined decision‑making on his farm, and together they highlight that including smart technology like Feedlync is becoming essential for staying efficient, competitive and profitable in today’s dairy sector. Feedlync is now approved under FETF grant item 421, offering eligible farmers in England a £1,398 contribution, with applications open until 28 April 2026. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been
prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute
advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no
representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or
otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products
during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of AB Agri
Limited or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are
personal and may not be the views of AB Agri Limited . The contents of
this podcast are the copyright of AB Agri Limited.
31 min
March 27 Learning from Denmark: Biosecurity Insights for UK Farmers
In episode 290 of the Kite Podcast, host Ben Eagle is joined by Sophie Brewster from AHDB, Norfolk farmer Zara Dorrington, and Kite Consulting’s Nicola Bowden to discuss the recent AHDB knowledge exchange trip to Denmark— known for its strong focus on biosecurity and herd health. The group explore the purpose behind the visit, the current disease pressures facing UK livestock producers, and the innovative biosecurity measures they observed on Danish farms. Sophie reflects on the value of farmer to farmer learning and the benefits of stepping outside routine practice, while Zara highlights how shared knowledge and collaboration is rapidly growing in the farming community. Nicola brings her consultancy perspective, discussing how Danish learnings could lead to improved herd health and more resilient on farm decision making. They consider how a more collective and proactive approach to biosecurity could strengthen UK agriculture and improve preparedness for future disease challenges. The episode also includes the usual milk market report from Chris Walkland. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been
prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute
advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no
representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or
otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products
during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of AB Agri
Limited or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are
personal and may not be the views of AB Agri Limited . The contents of
this podcast are the copyright of AB Agri Limited.
44 min
March 20 Middle East conflict: how geopolitics will impact dairy
In episode 289 of the Kite Podcast, Chris Walkland opens with his usual milk market report. Host Ben Eagle is joined by Erik Elgersma, director and founder of Strategic Analyses Services based in the Netherlands, along with podcast producer Becki Reay. Together, the group delve into how global politics, rising geopolitical tensions and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East are shaping agriculture, inflation and, crucially, the dairy markets. They explore how current events are influencing everything from fuel and fertiliser prices to packaging costs and consumer behaviour. Erik provides a clear global overview of the conflict’s ripple effects across energy markets and inflation. With pressures mounting across supply chains and consumers becoming more cost conscious, the team discuss both the short and long term implications for farmers, processors and the wider food sector. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been
prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute
advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no
representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or
otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products
during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of AB Agri
Limited or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are
personal and may not be the views of AB Agri Limited . The contents of
this podcast are the copyright of AB Agri Limited.
42 min
March 13 From Oil Spikes to Export Chances: Inside the Current Milk Market
In episode 288 of the Kite Podcast, hosts Will Evans and Ben Eagle are joined by Chris Walkland and Becki Reay to unpack the complex dynamics shaping today’s milk market, particularly as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East push oil prices toward $100 a barrel. Rising fuel and fertiliser costs — including a 50% jump in red diesel prices this month —putting mounting pressure on farmers, while milk prices continue to swing dramatically, with recent increases reported by Farmers Weekly underscoring the market’s volatility. Despite these challenges, many farmers are demonstrating impressive resilience, maintaining production levels comparable to last year, though questions remain about how long this stability can last. The team also highlights how important it is for farmers to stay adaptable, with Becki Reay encouraging proactive approaches to navigating sudden shifts in input and output prices. Looking forward, they also consider how growing global demand could create export opportunities, even as uncertainty continues to surround the UK market. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been
prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute
advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no
representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or
otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products
during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of AB Agri
Limited or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are
personal and may not be the views of AB Agri Limited . The contents of
this podcast are the copyright of AB Agri Limited.
35 min
March 06 From Forage Shortfalls to Feed Price Spikes: The Feed Market Outlook
In this week’s episode of the Kite Podcast, Will Evans is joined by Kite Consultant Torin Nicholson, KW Feed procurement manager Chris Pickles, and producer Becki Reay as they unpack the growing regional disparities in forage availability across the UK. Torin highlights why some areas are seeing plentiful forage while others face shortages, and what this means for farmers trying to formulate effective rations. Chris provides a clear overview of the current feed market, discussing the volatility created by supply chain disruptions caused by US/Israeli strikes in the Middle East and the impact of ADM’s production halt on the rapemeal sector. The team also looks ahead to the coming months, exploring the importance of strategic fertiliser planning, particularly with potential price rises linked to geopolitical pressures. Despite the challenges, the panel brings a sense of realism and optimism. They reflect on recent a stabilizing milk market, share why there are reasons to feel positive about the market outlook. Chris Walkland’s latest milk market report adds further positivity, with recent trading continuing to show strong progress. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been
prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute
advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no
representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or
otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products
during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of AB Agri
Limited or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are
personal and may not be the views of AB Agri Limited . The contents of
this podcast are the copyright of AB Agri Limited.
32 min
March 03 Inside the NFU Conference: Fresh Leadership, Rising Optimism, and the Future of UK Farming
Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of AB Agri Limited or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of AB Agri Limited . The contents of this podcast are the copyright of AB Agri Limited.
51 min

About Kite Consulting

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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.