As we approach the end of the year, we find ourselves in our final episode, just days away from Christmas. This festive season is often filled with gatherings, laughter, and indulgence in food and drink with loved ones. Yet, for some, Christmas can bring about feelings of loneliness, especially for those facing challenging family situations. It's a time when many reflect on the past and ponder the future. We likely know someone who may be struggling during this season, and today, we will focus on the importance of supporting one another during Christmas and how to navigate the heavier emotional burdens that may arise. Joining us for this important conversation are rural life coach Jo Speed, first-generation dairy farmer Lucia Slack from Cumbria, podcast producer Becki Reay, and the ever-insightful dairy market analyst Chris Walkland.

Following the results of the farm assurance review earlier this year, Red Tractor have this week announced its key priorities and planned actions, including a full review of standards. To discuss this, Will and Ben are joined on the Kite podcast this week by Tim Lock, the Dairy Sector Chair for Red Tractor to discuss the priorities for dairy, what actions are planned & how farmers can provide feedback on what they want to see by 1st February 2026. Chris Walkand is trying his best to find a glimmer of hope in this weeks milk market update.

In this episode of the Kite Podcast, hosts Ben Eagle and Will Evans take a closer look at Ireland's dairy sector in light of the recent European Commission proposal to extend the nitrate derogation for another three years. They are joined by Joe Patton, Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer at Teagasc and Emily Stafford, a Dairy Consultant with Kite, to discuss the implications of this decision for farmers both in Ireland and the UK. The conversation covers the importance of the derogation for Irish dairy farmers, the ongoing political debates surrounding water quality, and the conditional requirements that come with this licence. Chris Walkland also shares his latest milk market report, providing insights into the current state of the dairy market amidst challenging conditions.

In this episode of the Kite Podcast, Will Evans and Producer Becki Reay delve into the recent COP30 conference held in Brazil, exploring its implications for the agricultural sector, particularly dairy. Joining them is Brian Lindsey, an agricultural consultant and sustainability lead at Global Dairy Platform, who shares his insights from the conference. The trio discusses the key takeaways, including the evolving narrative around livestock and the importance of adaptation in climate discussions. The conversation touches on the relevance of COP discussions to UK dairy farmers and the necessity of maintaining a voice in global climate dialogues. Chris Walkland also provides his latest milk market report, highlighting the challenges facing dairy prices and the impact of new policies, such as the upcoming milkshake tax.

In this episode of the Kite Podcast, hosts Will Evans and Ben Eagle explore the state of Argentina’s dairy sector, examining its current challenges and long-term potential amid significant political and economic shifts. They’re joined by John Allen, fresh from a visit to Argentina, along with Lukasz Wyrzykowski, Managing Director of IFCN, and Hugo Quattrochi, an IFCN dairy researcher based in the country. Together, they discuss Argentina’s rich agricultural resources, the scale and strengths of its dairy production, and the realities farmers face in an unpredictable economic climate. The conversation also delves into the impact of recent political changes under President Milei, including efforts to tackle inflation and stabilise the currency, and what these reforms might mean for the dairy industry’s future. As always, the episode features Chris Walkland’s latest market report, offering insights into current milk prices and broader market trends.

In this week’s episode of the Kite Podcast, we’re heading to New Zealand for a wide-ranging update on the country’s dairy sector. Following recent storms with winds reaching 155km/h and widespread power outages, we explore how agriculture has been affected and what it means for farmers on the ground. Will Evans is joined by James Allen, CEO of AgFirst, to discuss milk flows, pricing, farmer confidence, and the implications of Fonterra’s $4.22 billion sale to Lactalis. We also look at New Zealand’s dairy export ambitions, including the strategic opening of Fonterra’s London office as part of its global push. As always, Chris Walkland brings us the latest milk market report, and Becki Reay is behind the scenes producing the show.

In episode 273 of the Kite Podcast, following this week’s Milk Market update from analyst Chris Walkland, we learn more about Freshways’ £25 million investment in a new processing hub in West Bromwich, set to handle up to 500 million litres of milk annually. Freshways Managing Director Bali Nijjar joins Becki and Chris to discuss the company’s growth, its farmer suppliers, and what the expansion means for the future. With many processors preparing to announce December prices, Becki, Chris, and Bali discuss the market dynamics influencing those decisions, ongoing challenges in the milk market, and what farmers can expect in the months ahead.

This week on the Kite Podcast, host Ben Eagle brings you an inspiring conversation with Sophie Gregory, an organic dairy farmer based on the Dorset-Devon border, who has recently been recognised as one of the King's Foundation's 35 under 35s. Joined by Kite Consultant Evie Rogers, Evie and Sophie outline their diverse journeys into agriculture and highlight the accessibility of the industry to those without traditional farming backgrounds. They discuss the evolving perception of farming among younger generations and both emphasise the importance of networking, mentorship and remaining open to opportunities, even amid economic challenges. The episode also explores the balance between sustainability and financial viability in modern farming. Chris Walkland provides his usual milk market report, which, while not overly optimistic, offers valuable insights into the current state of the dairy industry.

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.

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.

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.

In this episode, we delve into the intricate dynamics of the UK dairy market with the authors of the new report "Decoding Dairy Disruption." Join Ben Eagle, Will Evans and guests John Allen, Erik Elgersma, Becki Reay and Chris Walkland as they dissect the current bleak short-term milk price, market volatility and the implications for producers and retailers alike. They also discuss some of the longer-term fundamentals outlined within the report and how investment in UK processing would mean access to higher value export market & competition for domestic supply.

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.

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.

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.

In a rare Monday Kite Podcast, hosts Ben Eagle and Will Evans delve into the exciting intersection of dairy and women's sport, highlighting the recent successes of the English Lionesses and the upcoming Women's Rugby World Cup. Joined by Carrie McDermid, Head of Marketing at AHDB, Cheshire dairy farmer Jack Allwood and Will Roberts, CEO of British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS), the discussion centres around AHDB's summer sport campaign promoting milk as a vital recovery drink for young athletes. Carrie shares insights into the campaign's objectives, including its focus on building a connection between dairy and sports performance, while Jack discusses his experiences running a milk vending business and its involvement in supporting local sports teams. Will provides an overview of BUCS and its commitment to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle among students. He emphasises the importance of engaging young people in nutrition discussions, particularly as they transition to university life where they begin making independent choices about their diets. The episode also touches on the importance of engaging with the next generation of dairy consumers and the positive perceptions of milk among student athletes.

In this episode, hosts Ben Eagle and Will Evans explore the role of on-farm anaerobic digestion (AD) in the UK dairy sector with guests Gary Hague, UK Sustainability and Development Manager for Biolectric, and Kite’s Sustainability Lead, Helen Dent. The discussion provides an overview of AD technology, its role in managing slurry and manure more sustainably, and its potential to reduce the environmental footprint of dairy farming. Helen and Gary share insights on adoption rates, farmer perceptions, financial incentives, and whether AD can help processors meet carbon reduction targets. They also explore the differences between large-scale and small-scale AD systems, and the viability of operating plants solely on slurry without the need for additional feedstock.

After Chris Walkland’s dairy market update this week, Ben Eagle is joined by Kevin Ziemba, Global Applied Genetic Consulting Manager at STGenetics (parent company of Cogent Breeding) and Steve West, Senior Consultant with Kite to explore the latest in genetics and genomics in dairy farming. They discuss the financial benefits of breeding for Ecofeed to improve feed efficiency and profitability, as well as how to build a genetic strategy to best fit your business. They also discuss the newly discovered gene responsible for muscle weakness in calves and the impact this could have.

In episode 260 of the Kite Podcast, hosts Ben Eagle and Will Evans explore major upcoming developments at Yew Tree Dairy, including a £45 million investment in its Skelmersdale production site—just nine months after acquisition from Muller. This strategic move is not only aimed at expanding the business but also at further aligning Yew Tree Dairy offering farmers new and updated supplier contracts, Joining the conversation are Rob Hutchinson, CEO of Muller Milk & Ingredients, and podcast producer Becki Reay, who shares valuable insights into the future of dairy processing and what it means for farmers. The episode also features Chris Walkland’s latest milk market report, highlighting recent trends and challenges in the dairy market.