People

Pig Industry Scholarship Programme offers recruitment opportunities

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 11:33:55 GMT

Pig Industry Scholarship Programme offers recruitment opportunities

UK Ministers appoint AHDB Pork sector council chair and board members

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 08:30:48 GMT

UK Ministers appoint AHDB Pork sector council chair and board members

Scholarship success stories speak volumes

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 09:39:01 GMT

Scholarship success stories speak volumes

Recruiting the next generation

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 10:10:24 GMT

Recruiting the next generation

Educating a new generation

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 11:41:24 GMT

Educating a new generation

Teachers empowered with hands-on farm experience

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 08:27:47 GMT

Teachers empowered with hands-on farm experience

AgriLeader Forum inspires farmers

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 10:35:37 GMT

AgriLeader Forum inspires farmers

Recruiting the next generation for the agricultural sector

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 10:05:08 GMT

Join us to find out about the opportunities and challenges to recruiting new entrants into agriculture.

Agenda

The ten commandments to the recruitment and retention of staff; Paul Harris, Real Success
A guide to setting up an apprenticeship on your farm and working with the local college; Easton College
Practical and legality concerns around employing U18s on farm, including weekend staff; Thomas Price, NFU
Apprenticeships – the missed opportunity for the industry; Thomas Price, NFU
Understanding the next generation; Tess Howe, TIAH
Establishing links with ex armed forces personnel as potential new employees; Jeremy Gibbs, Forces Farming

If you have any questions, get in touch with KE Relationship Manager Andrew Palmer (andrew.palmer@ahdb.org.uk or 07976 443454) or our events team.

The webinar will be recorded and shared after the event.

Somerset: Michael Blanche – Time and time again

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 08:40:58 GMT

Join us for an interactive event on time management and business efficiency with Michael Blanche of The Pasture Pod.

Bringing his series ‘It’s about time’ to Somerset, Michael will be discussing everything from prioritising and delegating to time management and strategic planning.

He'll lead a workshop venturing into his learnings from conversations around time management with some of the top producers in the country and the important of the 4Ps: perception, purpose, patterns and priority.

We’ll then hear from a panel of farmers, interviewed by Michael, as they share their experiences with time management and planning – what they do well and where they know they need to improve.

Anybody who has come across Michael before will know this event will be entertaining, but more importantly, it will leave you with ideas of how other farmers, from a variety of sectors, better manage their time to be more effective and enjoy both life and farming.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

The event is free to attend, but please register using the booking link above to enable us to cater accordingly.

Please arrive by 11:00am for an 11:15am start.

RoSA, BASIS, NRoSO and Dairy Pro points will be available for attending.

Book for the Herefordshire event

Book for the Cheshire event

Blog: Training is key in development of stockpeople

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 09:09:38 GMT

Blog: Training is key in development of stockpeople

Ecological principles and system-based decision making in agriculture

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 13:47:35 GMT

Join us, in partnership with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and The Farmer Scientist Network, as we tap into the expertise and experience of our speakers to find the answers that you need to take your business forward.

We understand the vital role that farmers play in supporting the environment and ensuring the well-being of our communities. The agriculture landscape is evolving, and it is time to explore sustainable practices that not only preserve but enhance our precious resources. This panel discussion will explore innovative approaches to farming that align with agroecology principles and system-based decision making.

This meeting will cover

Ecological principles in agriculture: Explore the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the impact of ecological principles on crop resilience and resource conservation.
System-based decision making: Understand how shifting to a system-based approach transforms decision-making processes on the farm, leading to more resilient and adaptive strategies.
Changing information requirements: Learn about the evolving information needs in the context of reformative farming and how technology can support informed decision making.
Success stories and lessons learned: Hear from experienced farmers who have successfully implemented ecological practices and embraced system-based decision making.

RoSA CPD points will be available for attending this event.

About the speakers

Jason Rowntree

Jason Rowntree is the director of Michigan State University’s Centre for Regenerative Agriculture. He has been responsible for the system change that has taken place there, using holistic and regenerative management principles to improve soil properties, forage production and ecological function while employing an 18–20-month finishing model.

Jason’s research focus is identifying the metrics and management that reflect ecological improvement in grazing land systems. He has also worked with the Savory Institute to co-develop an Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) that is now being used on over 2m acres of grasslands on every continent except Antarctica. Furthermore, he is also the project director of a new $19.2m-funded project entitled, 'Metrics, Management, and Monitoring: An Investigation of Pasture and Rangeland Soil Health and its Drivers'.

His work in beef sustainability has been featured in the movie 'Sacred Cow', The Washington Post, New York Times, Forbes and many other popular media publications.

Stuart Johnson

Stuart Johnson runs a family tenanted farming business with his parents and brother. They currently manage 540 acres AHA mixed farmland under long term regenerative management; 280 acres FBT permanent pasture, where they are introducing regenerative practices; and 220 acres annual let land conventionally managed.

They view their business as a livestock-based business that has the capacity to grow home used arable and cover crops.

The family tenated farming business focuses on regenerative practices at their home farm in West Wharmley. Initially it was purely for financial reasons, there was not much thought for social or environmental benefits at the time. They wanted to make sure as a business they are as resilient as possible going forward, reducing their exposure and reliance on external parties or inputs.

They have now reduced nearly all variable costs without over sacrificing yields. They believe they are more resilient to price changes and weather extremes and, in an industry that has seen hugely aggressive swings of late they are hoping this can only be positive.

Ruth Wade

Ruth Wade is an ecologist at heart, with a passion to use knowledge and ideas from ecological systems in agricultural systems, working towards sustainable farming whilst maintaining a resilient and productive farming system.

She is particularly interested in plant-soil interactions, plant defence strategies and multi-trophic interactions. She uses a combination of novel laboratory, small plot and field scale trials to investigate the impact of different land management decisions and changes in rainfall patterns on plant growth, plant chemical composition, soil structure and fertility as well as interacting organisms such as insects and their natural enemies.

Liz Genever

Dr Liz Genever, a mixed farmer in south-east Lincolnshire, is a beef and sheep consultant who specialises in grass and forage systems. She is one of the founders of Carbon Calling, which has the aim of building a community of farmers who support and learn from one another to make their farm and themselves healthier and happier. She worked at AHDB for 13 years as a technical specialist and established her own independent consultancy business in 2019.

Liz was part of OFC Emerging Leaders programme in 2020 and completed the WCF Challenge of Rural Leadership course in 2016. She just completed the holistic management training.

Her goals are to be the go-to-person for beef and sheep farmers interested in regenerative approaches, and to develop and deliver a holistic approach for her home farm. She has experience of managing research and knowledge exchange project over her career, which including AHDB’s Ram Compare and Challenge Sheep projects.

This panel discussion aims to provide you with valuable insights, practical knowledge, and a platform for open conversation. We look forward to your participation and to collectively exploring the possibilities that reformative farming and system-based decision-making hold for the future of agriculture.

Talking Leaders: Think differently

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 15:59:19 GMT

Join this online broadcast with Carol Glover, the 'Maverick Maker', as she shares insight on why it matters to think differently, be different and act differently.

Carol Glover

Carol describes herself as a ginger, punk-inspired, maverick intrapreneur, disruptive leader, speaker and transformative coach and mentor from the Isle of Man, who loves to dance.

Carol is a successful maverick leader and an ILM level 7 executive coach and mentor.

As a Senior Practitioner Coach and Mentor with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council, with Carol, the highest standards of coaching, professional ethics and confidentiality are assured.

Join this online broadcast for inspiration on how to think differently and how to unlock your potential and that of your team.

Find out more about our AgriLeader activities and other Talking Leaders broadcasts

Talking Leaders: Building a brand

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 09:05:32 GMT

Join this online broadcast with Jack Sheffield, farmer and founder of FeelAliveAgri, for tips on building your brand.

Jack started FeelAliveAgri in 2017, with the aim of creating an agricultural clothing and accessory brand aimed at young people in agriculture that was affordable, yet stylish. A brand that can be worn on the farm, in the field or at the shows.

Jack Sheffield

Jack has been involved with farming all his life, growing up on the family farm in Sussex, attending agricultural college and working on farms in both the UK and Australia.

He is no stranger to the farming way of life, but he saw there was something the people of the farming community needed and wanted.

With social media being a massive part of his life and even more so agriculture, it gave launching the brand a helping hand.

Jack will be discussing how he built his brand, the advice he’d give to others, as well as lessons learnt and much more.

Join this online broadcast to find out more about Jack, FeelAliveAgri and building a brand.

Find out more about our AgriLeader activities and other Talking Leaders broadcasts

Talking Leaders: A business is never too small for effective communication

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 16:23:26 GMT

Join this online broadcast with Kirsty Lewis, Founder of the School of Facilitation, as we discuss why a business is never too small for effective communication.

Kirsty understands the trials and tribulations of going it alone, being an associate and facilitating within a corporate structure, because she has experienced those facets herself.

Kirsty Lewis

Back in 2007, Kirsty was seeking comradery in the world of facilitation, working with corporates for the majority of her career, and was feeling the pull of real connection and people who just ‘got it’. After months and years of soul searching and web scouring, she realised that the solution she sought was within herself!

In 2014 the School of Facilitation welcomed its first members, having been gradually formulating in the background for some time. By 2017 the school was supporting and encouraging facilitators and corporations from around the world.

Kirsty has worked with powerhouse brands and household names, such as Diageo, Chanel and Jacob Douwe Egberts.

Her own personal facilitation journey spans decades and she has worked for herself for much of that time.

Join this online broadcast to find out more about Kirsty and how businesses of all size can benefit from effective communication.

Find out more about our AgriLeader activities and other Talking Leaders broadcasts

Talking Leaders: Walk with me

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 15:52:00 GMT

Join this online broadcast with Chris Manley, Nuffield Farming Scholar.

To help others and raise awareness for mental health, Chris set up a campaign called ‘Walk with me,’ which aims to break the stigma surrounding mental health and create a safe space for people to talk. In this broadcast, we'll learn more about the campaign and what it means to Chris.

Chris Manley

Chris has spent his career working in the food supply chain for large supermarkets and dairy and beef processors. This has involved providing strategic agricultural insight into the sourcing of beef, lamb, poultry meat and dairy, with a focus on managing supply, achieving high animal health and welfare standards and leading on projects with producers for sustainable and environmentally progressive farming practices.

Chris is a Nuffield Farming Scholar who recently presented his report on ‘Leading your farm to success, by knowing yourself, your team and your community.’ He grew up in a farming family near the village of Hemyock in the heart of the Blackdown Hills in East Devon and stuided Agriculture at Harper Adams University.

Join this online broadcast to find out more about Chris and the 'walk with me' campaign.

Find out more about our AgriLeader activities and other Talking Leaders broadcasts

Blog: Challenging the narrative around livestock

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 08:11:35 GMT

Blog: Challenging the narrative around livestock

On-farm school conference brings students closer to their food

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 14:22:10 GMT

On-farm school conference brings students closer to their food

School Farm Visits Support Programme for farmers

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 13:31:03 GMT

School Farm Visits Support Programme for farmers

Talking Leaders: Rooted leadership

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 14:40:07 GMT

Join this online broadcast with Sean Cameron to learn about soil preservation techniques, carbon capture in agriculture, leadership and more.

Sean works on his family farm on the south-eastern edge of the Pampas in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Since 1996, his arable farm has operated a no-till system. The main crops are wheat, barley, white clover seed production, sunflower, corn and seed corn, and sweetcorn produced under irrigation. They also produce some peas and often plant a second crop of soybean after the wheat and barley harvest.

Sean will be talking on a variety of topics, including:

Soil preservation techniques
- Highlighting methods such as no-till farming to protect and enhance soil health
Comparative Analysis: Arable farming in the UK vs Argentina
- Exploring the advantages and disadvantages of arable farming in both regions
Strategies for reducing chemical usage in agriculture
- Discussing alternative approaches to minimise chemical inputs in farming practices
Economic and social contrasts
- Comparing the costs and socio-economic aspects of arable farming in the UK and Argentina
Carbon capture in agriculture
- Examining the role of farmers in carbon capture and how it can be leveraged for the farmer’s benefits
Leadership and management in agribusiness
- Addressing key aspects of leadership and management in the context of modern agribusiness, emphasising sustainable practices and decision-making

Find out more about our AgriLeader activities and other Talking Leaders broadcasts

AHDB Sector Council appointments ratified by levy payers

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 10:58:48 GMT

AHDB Sector Council appointments ratified by levy payers