Kite Consulting

Becki Reay

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.

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305 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes305

Newest first

May 6, 2022 · 38 min
DIN Conference & an update on dairy Down Under
Chris opens as usual with the milk market report after the 4th consecutive fall in the GTD auction and the podcast team are joined by Steve Spencer, Director of FreshAgenda and John Allen, Kite’s Managing Partner. Steve gives us an update on dairy Down Under in terms of milk volumes and the mood of farmers at present, as well as the view from Australian dairy on the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement. With all 3 at the DIN Conference this week, they discuss the key themes and sentiments that have
Apr 29, 2022 · 40 min
Indonesian Palm Oil Ban: a changing situation
This week Will and Ben are joined by James Bolesworth, Managing Director CRM AgriCommodities and John Allen, Managing Partner at Kite to discuss the unexpected news this week of an export ban on palm oil by Indonesia, pushing up the oilseeds markets. Plus our usual milk market report from Chris Walkland. With Indonesia as the largest global exporter of palm oil, James talks us through the fast moving situation, giving some context to the situation and what it means within the wider oilseed pict
Apr 22, 2022 · 39 min
Dairy UK informs healthcare professionals dairy keeps us stronger for longer
This week Will and Ben are joined by Erica Hocking, Senior Nutrition Scientist at Dairy UK, David Levick, Kite Partner and for our milk market report, Chris Walkland, to discuss the benefits of dairy nutrition and the Dairy UK Stronger for Longer event. With the Dairy UK nutrition team on the front line, bringing together emerging dairy nutrition and dairy science, Erica summarises the webinar which was aimed at communicating the benefits of dairy nutrition to other healthcare professionals. Eri
Apr 15, 2022 · 45 min
A view from Europe on dairy markets
This week the podcast team Will, Ben & Becki are joined by Marcel van der Vliet who is Sales & Procurement Manager for the VanDrie Group and President of CELCAA; the voice of European traders in agri-food commodities. Along with John Allen, Managing Partner at Kite and Chris Walkland, they discuss and compare the dairy markets and trading environment in the UK and Europe. Marcel shares his thoughts on dairy market cycles and if or when and where we might see markets settle and for how long. W
Apr 8, 2022 · 30 min
The Gold Cup Award Winner & DairyTech Debrief
For our landmark 100th episode and with everyone back “fresh” from DairyTech 2022, Ben and Will are joined by Di Wastenage MBE, Devon dairy farmer and Chair of RABDF and John Torrance, who was announced yesterday as the 2020 winner of the RABDF NMR Gold Cup. They debrief and discuss the sentiment at DairyTech this year and the key topics on everyone’s mind. With the long-awaited announcement of the Gold Cup Award winner, we celebrate with John Torrance and hear a little about his business, where
Apr 1, 2022 · 32 min
Is 50 the new 40ppl required to incentivise milk production?
On the first day of the new milk year and after a week of significant milk price announcements from major retailers and processors, Kite’s Paul Macer and John Allen join Chris, Becki, Ben & Will on the podcast discussing current UK milk volumes which are significantly down year on year. The same production and supply challenges are being seen across Europe and they discuss whether the recent price announcements quoting milk prices of 40ppl are sufficient to incentivise milk production & to redu
Mar 25, 2022 · 41 min
Arla give a boost to UK dairy
Ian Potter, renowned dairy commentator, John Allen, Kite’s Managing Partner and Chris Walkland join Ben, Will & Becki on this week’s podcast to discuss Arla’s 5 year growth strategy for the UK which was announced earlier this morning. Hot off the press, they discuss the key elements including; Arla’s growth plan in key dairy categories, including organic and the subsequent need to recruit more milk and new farmers. They discuss Arla’s significant investment commitments, including investments i
Mar 18, 2022 · 46 min
Cost of Production rising to 40ppl plus Interest & Inflation Impact
This week Will and Ben are joined by Neil Wilson, Director of SAB Advisory Ltd and Edward Lott, Managing Partner at Kite. With our recent analysis predicting break-even milk price at 40ppl, they discuss the time delay between input price and milk price rises and the impact this is having on cash flows. Also, given this week’s interest rate rise, revised predicted inflation rates and the likelihood of seeing costs continuing to increase, they highlight the importance of regularly reviewing budget
Mar 10, 2022 · 26 min
Ukraine impact on feed markets & the planning and feeding implications on farm
Will and Ben are joined this week by James Bolesworth, Managing Director at CRM Agri-Commodities and Mike Bray, Partner at Kite to discuss the initial impact of the war in Ukraine on commodity markets and the implications this may have on farm feeding strategies. James explains how the markets have reacted to the initial shock and the exacerbating factors such as low stock levels on key commodities and shipping restrictions in the Black Sea. Mike describes the impact and sentiment he is seeing
Mar 4, 2022 · 39 min
Balancing retailer climate commitment with food security
This week, after the usual milk market report from Chris Walkland, Will and Ben are joined by Chris Brown, Senior Director of Sustainable Supply Chains at Asda and Rachael Madeley-Davies, Kite’s Head of Sustainability, to discuss the BRC’s ambition for all food products in the UK to achieve Net Zero by 2040 and the associated requirements for reducing carbon emissions on farm. Chris Brown shares his insight on ASDA’s ongoing climate commitments and goes onto discuss with Rachael whether recent e
Feb 25, 2022 · 42 min
Ukraine impact & UK dairy market dynamics Beyond Reset
On this week’s podcast Ben and Will are joined by Erik Elgersma, founder and Director at Strategic Analysis Services BV, John Allen, Kite’s Managing Partner & Chris Walkland to discuss our Beyond Reset analysis. After Chris’ usual milk market report, they explore the Kite document which highlights the need for retailers to work with processors to provide fair market returns if they want to secure long-term liquid milk supply, whilst at the same time, fulfilling their decarbonisation objectives.
Feb 18, 2022 · 43 min
Reacting to BBC Panorama ‘A Cow’s Life: The True Cost of Milk’
After the usual milk market report, this week Ben and Will are joined by Ian Potter, renowned dairy commentator, John Allen, Kite’s Managing Partner and Chris Walkland to talk about the recent and controversial Panorama programme ‘ A Cows Life; The True cost of milk’. Ian was featured in the programme and discusses with John and Chris the complexity of the issues as well as their thoughts on whether the BBC was ‘balanced’ in its coverage. They talk about the response from both Red Tractor and Fr
Feb 11, 2022 · 35 min
The science behind products designed to reduce methane
After the usual milk market report from Chris Walkland, Will and Ben are joined by Kite Senior Consultant Vicky Hicks and Managing Partner David Levick to follow on from last week and discuss greenhouse gas emissions. With Ruminants hitting the headlines recently, Vicky and David discuss why it’s important to consider methane alongside carbon dioxide, looking at the science behind the products and feed additives being promoted to reduce methane or improve feed efficiency. They also outline what
Feb 4, 2022 · 32 min
The inevitable carbon taxation for NZ farmers
After the usual milk market report from Chris Walkland, Ben is joined by Phil Journeaux of Agfirst Waikato and John Allen, Kite’s Managing Partner to talk about the inevitable carbon taxation for farmers in NZ. Phil outlines He Waka Eke Noa (The Primary Sector Climate Action Partnership) and how they are consulting with farmers about this more sustainable alternative to the ETS (Emission Trading Scheme), including how it will be administered and what impact this could have for farms in terms of
Jan 27, 2022 · 25 min
Does Genomic testing provide a good return?
After the usual milk market report from Chris Walkland, Ben and Will are joined by Rose Jackson; Senior Consultant and Genetics lead at Kite alongside dairy farmer Richard Ward to discuss Genetics and Genomics. Rose outlines why having a focussed genetics strategy, including genomic testing is a key component of improving cow and herd performance and profitability and Richard gives an overview of his farm, how genomics has been implemented, the unexpected range in results he has seen and how it
Jan 21, 2022 · 41 min
"We Eat Balanced" and Positive Dairy Promotion
After the usual milk market report from Chris Walkland, Will and Ben are joined by Liam Byrne, AHDB Marketing Director and Anna Jones, a freelance journalist and broadcaster who set up Just Farmers in 2018, to discuss the new We Eat Balanced campaign which focuses on dairy & red meat marketing and farm promotion. Anna starts by outlining the issue of the urban-rural divide and the need to overcome this disconnect between farmers and consumers, as well as the importance of creating positive relat
Jan 14, 2022 · 34 min
Outlook on inputs – feed markets, fertiliser and forage
After the usual milk market report from Chris Walkland, this week we hear from James Bolesworth, Managing Director at CRM Agri-Commodities and Kite Partner and feed guru Tim Davies to talk about the feed, fertiliser and forage markets and outlook. James gives a summary of the feed market, including current stock to use ratio and supply and demand situations, followed by a look at the impact of international weather, particularly on soya and corn and the impact of China buying behaviour on stocks
Jan 7, 2022 · 32 min
2022 Outlook and Beyond Project Reset
For the first podcast of 2022, Ben Eagle is joined by Kite’s Managing Partner John Allen and Chris Walkland to give their outlook for the year ahead and to revisit Project Reset. Before this though, they first pay respects to Dairy Journalist Barry Wilson, who sadly passed away on Christmas Day. Carrying on his milk market positivity from 2021, Chris delivers the first milk market of 2022 and goes on to discuss with John the milk market outlook and continuing (upward) shift in both the milk mar
Dec 17, 2021 · 32 min
Festive Feel Good with Jessica Langton - Countryfile's Young Countryside Champion
Will Evans and Ben Eagle are joined by 4th generation Derbyshire based dairy farmer, NFU dairy board appointee and multiple award winner; Jessica Langton alongside podcast Producer and Kite Consultant Becki Leach and of course, Chris Walkland for our last podcast and milk market report of 2021. Jessica gives some background on the farm business as well as the topics keeping the NFU Dairy Board busy and shares why she feels it is important to have the next generations voice represented. She also shares her enthusiasm for linking up agriculture with consumers. Jessica, Becki and Chris share the positives of 2021 and what they believe to be the key challenges and opportunities going forward over the next year. 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 Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.
Dec 10, 2021 · 30 min
EU Ag policy: Challenge for Europe, Opportunity for UK Dairy?
This week hosts Ben Eagle and Will Evans are joined by Hayley Campbell-Gibbons; Freelance Consultant, John Allen and Chris Walkland to look at the key themes and requirements of incoming European Agricultural policy as highlighted in Kite’s recent report titled ‘EU Agricultural Policy 2021: A Vintage Year’. Exploring the importance of the European dairy market as the UK’s biggest competitor, they go on to discuss the key challenges of incoming CAP changes for European farmers and the resultant