Meet Katie, AHDB’s grass forage and soil specialist

Katie Evans, AHDB’s new National Specialist for Grass Forage and Soil, takes a moment to introduce herself and what she does within AHDB.

Tell us about your role

I work across both the beef and lamb and dairy sectors as a Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager and National Specialist. I am responsible for the delivery of the grass forage and soil knowledge exchange programme.

My role involves working with stakeholders in the industry, overseeing research projects related to grass forage and disseminating the findings back to the levy payers. My main piece of work will be continuing the AHDB Grass Campaign – most of this work will start again in spring 2023.

Why grass and forage?

I was born and raised on a progressive dairy farm in southwest Ireland, which is where my passion for soil husbandry and grassland management started. I've continued developing my knowledge by undertaking BASIS Soil and Water Management, Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme (FACTS), and Grassland modules at Aberystwyth University and the AHDB Developing Grass Expertise programme.

While studying at Harper Adams University I also completed a year-long placement study with Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre (Moorepark).

After completing my degree, I worked as an agricultural consultant nationally in the UK. During this time, I specialised in providing advice and practical solutions to the agricultural sector in multiple areas including nutrient management, soil husbandry and grassland management. My role involved providing advice and guidance so farmers could better understand the principles and practices underpinning the husbandry of grassland and forages, with an emphasis on producing and utilising grassland.

What do you hope to achieve?

I aspire to help levy payers develop a better understanding of farming practices such as grassland and soil management, linking nutritional requirements and pasture supply for grazing livestock. This should improve efficiency and help them become more environmentally sustainable. I hope to achieve this by developing relationships with cross-sector stakeholders of the agricultural and environmental industry, supporting resources, and identifying future research and development needs and opportunities.

You will start to hear from me in the next few months through Forage For Knowledge.

Get in touch with Katie about anything grass and forage related at Katie.evans@ahdb.org.uk