Kite Consulting

In this episode, hosts Will Evans and Ben Eagle continue their exploration of Irish agriculture with an inspiring story from Frank Dunne and his farming journey after he bought his first dairy farm at 26 years old. Joined by podcast producer Becki Reay and dairy market analyst Chris Walkland, the team delve into Frank's evolution from leaving his uncle’s dairy farm, to beef and progressing onto become a successful dairy farmer; discussing his innovative approaches and future aspirations, redefining success in dairy. Chris shares insights from the latest milk market report, highlighting significant developments in the European dairy industry, including the recent Arla and DMK merger discussions. The conversation also touches on the challenges of land availability in Northern Ireland and the importance of strategic planning in 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 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.

In this week’s episode, we explore the proposed Nutrient Action Programme (NAP) in Northern Ireland, which has sparked significant debate within the agri-food sector. Join hosts Will Evans and Ben Eagle, along with guests Aileen Lawson from the Ulster Farmers Union, Jason Rankin from AgriSearch and dairy market analyst Chris Walkland, as they delve into the implications of the NAP, the concerns raised by farmers and the potential impact on the agricultural landscape. With insights from their recent trip to Northern Ireland, the team discusses the balance between environmental responsibility and agricultural productivity, highlighting the urgent need for constructive dialogue and collaboration between farmers and policymakers.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.

https://www.farmertime.uk/

https://justfarmers.org

https://ahdb.org.uk

https://farmsunday.org

https://www.nuffieldscholar.org/agdiversity

 

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.

Following Chris’ milk market report, Will Evans is joined by compact feeding pioneer Niels Bastian Kristensen, Kite consultant Mike Bray, JG Vigar and Son’s herd manager Dane De Boorder based in Wiltshire, and podcast producer Becki Reay. Together, they explore the transformative potential of compact feeding, delving into its advantages, potential drawbacks, and the unique challenges faced by UK dairy farmers. Dane De Boorder discusses the recent masterclass hosted by JG Vigar and Son, he talks about the productivity improvement on farm over the past 4 years & what he’s learnt from introducing compact feeding.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.

To find out more about Kite's Herd Management Training which starts in August 2025 and is now open for applications, please email people@kiteconsulting.com 

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.

Episode 152

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.

After Chris’ market report this week, highlighting a positive outlook for dairy prices, Will and Ben shift their focus from milk markets to the intricacies of feed markets, featuring insights from Chris Pickles, Procurement Manager at KW Feeds and Kite Technical Consultant Maimie French. Maimie provides an overview of the spring season, noting the quality of first cuts and the impact of weather on forage yields across the UK and touches on the challenges of heat stress. Chris discusses feed commodity markets, with ongoing considerations around protein sources for dairy rations, particularly the comparison between soya and rape meal, with an interesting and welcomed update on EU deforestation regulations. They also contemplate the potential outlook for harvest 2025 amidst current dry conditions and market uncertainties.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.

Will and Ben are back this week, joined by Chris, who has just returned from holiday. In this episode, they delve into the current milk volume situation and the evolving milk market dynamics. With insights from Kite Director John Allen and podcast producer Becki Reay, the team discusses the implications of spring peak milk production, processing capacity, and the unexpected stability of milk prices amidst high volumes. Chris shares his market report, revealing how recent weather patterns and factory challenges have shaped the landscape. The conversation also touches on the contrasting pricing mechanisms of different processors and the potential future of milk pricing as the industry navigates these unique circumstances.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.

Will and Ben return after a short break for Easter, to explore the current state of the dairy industry in New Zealand with insights from James Allen, CEO of AgFirst and John Allen, Kite Director. Following Chris’ market report, James and John discuss the impact of recent weather patterns on milk production, dairy economics, and the implications of environmental policies. With an analysis of production figures, market trends and the future of dairy in New Zealand and where these sit in a global context amidst some of the current challenges.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.