Kite Consulting

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by the freshly crowned Farmers Weekly Dairy Farmers of the Year, Nicola and John Young. Hosts Will Evans and Ben Eagle dive into the Youngs’ remarkable journey—from starting with just 80 cows to building a thriving herd of over 500, averaging 14,000 litres and almost 1,000kg of milk solids per cow per year. Joined by Kite’s David Keiley, the conversation explores the history of their business growth, early-stage succession planning, technical herd performance, genetic strategy, key focus areas, business performance, current investments, and future plans. They also reflect on what it means to be recognised at the top of their industry—and what that recognition means to others. Sadly, there isn’t nearly as much positivity in Chris Walkland’s milk market report this week, but it’s essential listening for anyone keeping an eye on dairy trends. 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.

On this week’s podcast, there’s a very sobering milk market report from Chris Walkland following several drops announced this week. Kathryn Rowland and Marcus Doig from Kite Consulting join us to review dairy production costs and explore the trends we’re seeing in the data, including insights on investments and funding strategies. We’re also pleased to welcome southwest farmer Andrew Fry, who talks through his own investment strategy—including the economics behind adopting robotic milking and how it’s reshaped operations on his family farm.

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.

This week on the Kite Podcast, we dive into the heart of IFCN’s Supporter Conference in Graz, Austria, where the theme was “Making Sustainability Profitable: how to future proof the dairy industry.” We unpack the key discussions with Milica Kocić, Lead in Product Development at IFCN, and Kathryn Rowland from Kite, alongside our resident dairy market expert Chris Walkland and producer Becki Reay. Covering short-term challenges and long-term opportunities, global market trends, the future of supply and demand, insights into U.S. milk production, and emerging growth areas in dairy demand, this episode offers a comprehensive overview of the forces shaping the dairy 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 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 episode, we explore the rapidly evolving intersection of technology and the dairy industry with experts Caroline Hamilton from Intelligent Dairy Solutions and Matt Butlin, Head of Ag Tech from AB Agri. Join Will and Ben as we discuss the impact of robotics, AI, and data integration on dairy farming, as well as the challenges and opportunities these advancements present. From effectively utilising vision technology, improving feed efficiency and the importance of data collaboration and linking systems, as well as making better use of existing data which could shape the future of dairy farming. With Chris Walkland providing his usual market report that highlights the current challenges facing the dairy sector, particularly concerning the impact of increased U.S. access to the UK food 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 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.kiteconsulting.com/2025/09/01/decoding-dairy-disruption/

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.

This week on the Kite Podcast, hosts Will Evans and Ben Eagle are joined by Rob Daykin, Managing Director of Daykin Partnership and organic farmer Will Armitage, as they delve into the current state of the organic milk sector. The episode explores milk flows, forage availability and the challenges faced by organic farmers in today's climate. Rob shares insights from his extensive experience in organic farming and consultancy, while Will discusses the impact of weather conditions on forage stocks and the strategies he's employing to navigate these challenges. The conversation highlights the resilience of the organic sector amid ongoing pressures and the importance of maintaining a stable supply for consumers. Chris Walkland also returns with his market report, providing a detailed analysis of the latest developments affecting the dairy market, including significant fluctuations in prices and the implications for organic producers. 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.

This week Ben Eagle and Will Evans welcome Shelagh Hancock, Chief Executive of First Milk, to discuss the cooperative's impressive annual financial results and the broader implications for the dairy industry. Shelagh reflects on the significant progress First Milk has made over the past year, including the successful integration of BV Dairy into their operations. Additionally, Shelagh shares insights into First Milk's commitment to regenerative farming and its impact on sustainability and farm resilience, as well as the cooperative's strategic initiatives, community engagement, and future growth plans. The conversation also explores the ongoing challenges in the milk market, with Chris Walkland providing his expert analysis on current trends and price fluctuations affecting dairy producers. 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 poignant episode of the Kite Podcast, hosts Ben Eagle and Will Evans are joined by Cheshire dairy farmers Tom and Karen Halton, who share their heartfelt journey of deciding to sell their herd after a remarkable career in dairy farming. Winners of the Dairy Farmer of the Year category at the British Farming Awards 2024, the Halton’s reflect on their successful tenanted dairy business and the emotional challenges surrounding their decision to step away from the industry. As they discuss the factors that led to this significant life change, Tom and Karen delve into their experiences of navigating the ups and downs of dairy farming, from market fluctuations to personal aspirations. The conversation also touches on their future plans, including property development and the joy of exploring new opportunities. Chris Walkland returns with his insightful milk market report, with an update on current market trends and challenges facing the dairy 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 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.

Watch the BUCS pilot results video here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lEQ3ELF9Bg 

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.