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

Jul 21, 2023 · 48 min
NFU Dairy Production Intentions Survey & the future for dairy
Unfortunately Chris Walkland has to deliver another generally downbeat milk market report, after which Will and Ben are joined by Michael Oakes, farmer and NFU Dairy Board Chair and Edward Lott, Managing Director at Kite to discuss the NFU’s latest dairy production intentions survey. They discuss the number of dairy farmers exiting the industry over the past 12 months and the current sentiment and outlook in light of milk price and current Costs of Production. They discuss the importance of le
Jul 13, 2023 · 45 min
A dairy market & cost of production update from New Zealand
After another less than cheery milk market report from Chris this week, Will and Ben are joined by Phil Journeaux, an agricultural consultant and economist with AgFirst Waikato & John Allen, Director at Kite for an update on dairy in New Zealand. Firstly, looking back at last season for some context, Phil moves on to give some insight into outlook for this season, talking costs, inflation, interest rates and Cost of Production for NZ farmers. With John bringing it back to the UK, comparing the s
Jul 6, 2023 · 36 min
Using the ‘EcoFeed’ genomic traits to improve feed efficiency & a gloomy milk market report
After a very gloomy report from Chris Walkland, we move into something more positive to help farmers with those ever-rising costs; Will and Ben are joined by Jocelyn Johnson, research scientist with STgenetics in the USA (parent company of Cogent) and Rose Jackson, Kite’s Head of Genetics to tell us all about the ‘EcoFeed’ index. Jocelyn introduces STgenetics and explains the driver behind looking for these genomic traits, how the index was developed and the opportunity it presents to help reduc
Jun 29, 2023 · 48 min
An update on commodity & feed markets, Cost Of Production & milk flows
This week after Chris’ milk market report, Will is joined by James Bolesworth, Managing Director at CRM AgriCommodities and Edward Lott, Kite Director for an update on feed markets, Cost of Production and milk flows. James gives an update on current commodity prices and a round-up of where the feed markets have been over the last few months. He shares his thoughts on the impact of the Russia/Ukraine situation, specifically looking at news from the weekend and how this has and could influence co
Jun 23, 2023 · 40 min
AHDB levy increase & where will the money be spent?
With discussions of a potential increase in levy rates on the table, Dairy Sector Council Member and Gloucestershire farmer; Mike King joins Kite’s Senior Consultant; Becki Leach to talk through how inflation has played a part in making this decision, the process for getting the increase implemented and realistically, how often the levy should be reviewed. With AHDB’s current priorities focusing on defending the reputation of dairy farmers and the health and welfare of animals, where should the
Jun 16, 2023 · 42 min
IFCN & the future of world dairy
This week after Chris’ milk market report, Ben is joined by Torsten Hemme, IFCN founder and John Allen, Kite Director to talk about the International Farm Comparison Network. Torsten briefly talks through the background to IFCN and the changes we’ve seen over time since it was established in 2000, as well as the main talking points and findings presented at the most recent researcher conference in Riga last week. John and Torsten discuss the challenges for world dairy and the outlook and trends
Jun 9, 2023 · 50 min
Regenerative Ag at RABDF's Down to Earth Events
This week after Chris’ usual milk market report, Will and Ben are joined by Matt Knight, Managing Director of the RABDF, Somerset farmer Neil Baker and Mark Lee based in Cumbria, to discuss this years’ Down to Earth events taking place over the summer. Matt takes us through the background to the events and why it has grown this year to an event in the north and the south of England, at two very different farms and how this presents different learning opportunities for attendees. Neil and Mark t
Jun 1, 2023 · 35 min
Efficient dairying - achieving 1000kg milk solids
The week’s podcast is perfectly timed for World Milk Day. After Chris’ usual milk market report, Will is joined by Joe Ives, Hampshire based dairy farmer and Maimie Sloan, Kite Consultant, to discuss Kite’s 1000Kgs project which examines herds achieving (or very nearly achieving) 1000kg of milk solids per cow per year. Maimie gives some background to the project, why Kite have decided to look at this and what kite hope to achieve. As one of the farmers involved in the project, Joe gives some ins
May 26, 2023 · 37 min
EP156: DIN Conference: Adding Value & Monetising Sustainability
On the podcast this week we are joined by DIN’s Editor & Director of Eden Publishing; Catherine Paice and Kite’s Head of Sustainability; Hayley Campbell-Gibbons who come together to talk through why monetising sustainability was the focus for this year’s DIN conference. They discuss the emphasis on Sustainability internationally and how dairy processors and traders are aligned on demonstrating improved sustainability within the supply chain, viewing it as an investment in securing the future of
May 18, 2023 · 31 min
EP155: Peak Milk & Forage: Quality over Quantity
This Week, Chris Walkland gives us his usual market update which leads us perfectly into a great discussion with Kite’s very own Paul Macer, Eliot Greenfield, and Becki Leach to deliberate if we have reached peak milk for 2023 and where we can expect volumes to go from here. With Eliot based in the North and Paul based in the South, they consider how the slow spring and catchy weather is affecting grass growth, first cut, forage quantities and quality and how all of this, along with milk price i
May 12, 2023 · 49 min
Food, Farming and the Current UK Political Landscape
Following Chris Walklands dairy market update, former Deputy President of the NFU and Hertfordshire farmer Stuart Roberts joins Kite’s John Allen and Becki Leach to talk about his role advising the Lib Dems on their Food and Farming policy and how important it is in supporting food security whilst also keeping climate change and environmental factors at the forefront. Stuart talks in length about the impact of a potential hung parliament affecting the Farming policy in the future and, off the ba
May 5, 2023 · 48 min
Talking & tasting Farmhouse Cheese fit for a King with Courtyard Dairy
A very happy podcast team this week with some cheese on the menu, but firstly we welcome Chris back with his milk market report for the week. Ben then hosts Cheesemonger, Andy Swinscoe, co-owner of the Courtyard Dairy and a former Cheesemonger of the Year at the World Cheese Awards onto the podcast alongside Kite Consultant and Lucy McClymont, to talk about his business and award-winning cheeses. But before the team get to taste any, Andy introduces us to the business and how it evolved to where
Apr 28, 2023 · 40 min
India Dairy Update including Lumpy Cow Disease, production & consumption shifts
A depleted podcast team this week as we are missing both Ben and Chris, but there is no shortage of fantastic discussion as Will is joined by Prashant Tripathi, Director of Market Development at Solera Advisors in Germany and John Allen, Kite Director for an update and discussion on dairy in India. Prashant talks about lumpy cow disease which is currently affecting cattle in India and discusses the impact on farmers, local communities and domestic milk volumes up to National level. Prashant and
Apr 21, 2023 · 34 min
Highlights of the latest proof run and the methane index numbers
After Chris Walkland’s milk market report this week, Will and Ben welcome Drew Sloan, Vice President in Corporate Development Semex and Rose Jackson, Senior Consultant & Kite. Rose talks through the highlights from the latest April proof run and Drew joins to talk through the numbers and data for the methane emission trait. Together they discuss the practical applications of genomic data on farm and in context of the wider sustainability agenda. Drew also outlines the upcoming Semex Roadshows wh
Apr 14, 2023 · 43 min
The benefit that Nuffield Farming Scholarships provide to the industry
This week after Chris’ milk market report, Ben and Will are joined by Rich Walker, dairy farmer from South West Scotland and 2019 Nuffield Scholar to talk us through the findings of his Scholarship looking at ‘British Dairy Exports: The Opportunities and Challenges. We are also joined by Tom Rawson, current Vice Chair of Nuffield’s trustees & a Director of Evolution Farming who along with Rich, take us through their Nuffield journeys; what the Scholarship offered them as individuals in the short
Apr 6, 2023 · 36 min
Feed and Forage Efficiency
After Chris Walkland’s milk market report, joining Ben this week are Maimie Sloan, Technical Consultant with Kite and Henry Lewis, Herefordshire based dairy farmer to discuss feed and forage efficiency on farm. Maimie outlines what she sees as the important things to put in in place to achieve ideal feed efficiency and reduce cost per litre without compromising elsewhere. Henry gives us a forage making masterclass, taking us through his well refined system including their fertiliser/slurry appl
Mar 31, 2023 · 49 min
EP148:Eucolait debrief - Will falling milk prices prompt a 2-tier dairy market?
EP148: Eucolait 2023 This Week, Chris Walkland kicks us off with his usual market update which continues to be down beat as it has been in recent weeks, and further emphasised by today’s announcement from Arla of the significant but not unexpected reduction for April. John and Chris go on to discuss the inevitability of others following suit and a substantial differential emerging between processors selling into retail and commodity markets. This further illustrates the points John made at the I
Mar 24, 2023 · 43 min
Farmer Protest Party Election Win & Dutch Politics
Chris Walkland kicks of this week’s podcast with his market update and he is followed by Erik Elgersma; Founder & Director of Strategic Analysis Services BV who joins John Allen to delve deeper into the developments of the Dutch situation and address the unexpected winner of the recent provincial elections - The Farmer Citizen Movement Party. They discuss structure of the Dutch Parliament and senate, who The Farmer Citizen Movement Party are and what this means for Dutch politics along with shar
Mar 17, 2023 · 34 min
AHDB Veganuary analysis & consumer buying behaviour
After our usual milk market report from Chris, Will and Ben are joined on the podcast this week by Grace Randall, Retail Insight Manager at the AHDB and Helen Dent, Senior Consultant with Kite, to share some insight into the AHDB data on Veganuary. With numbers of those taking part in Veganuary remaining relatively low this year, Grace takes us through some of the consumer and shopper data in the report, including the demographic of buyers and buying trends that might help indicate future figure
Mar 10, 2023 · 48 min
Tribute to Ian Potter 22 May 1960 – 27 February 2023
We dedicate this weeks’ episode to Ian Potter. Ben and Will are joined by Ash Amirahmadi, John Allen and Chris Walkland along with Becki to reflect on Ian’s career and impact on the industry. They share personal stories on the many positive memories they have of knowing, and working closely with Ian and recall how, as you would expect, this didn’t mean they were immune to his opinion! Chris shares details of Ian’s Celebration of Life Event later this month (see link in show notes) along with gi