Discussion Groups

The regenerative arable journey with savings and premiums

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 15:46:34 GMT

The regenerative arable journey with savings and premiums

Strategic Farm: Heifers – to breed or to buy?

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 14:29:28 GMT

Our 2017 Strategic Farmer, Mark Jelley, from Northamptonshire, joins AHDB Knowledge Exchange Manager, Sarah Pick, to discuss why he made the decision to move from buying in replacement heifers to breeding his own and the impact this change has had on his business.

Mark will also discuss how he manages the herd to optimise the lifetime performance of home-bred heifers including deciding which cows to breed from, what he looks for in a maternal sire and the importance of paying special attention to heifer management, ensuring they can calve at two and then again in 12 months’ time.

Joe Henry, from Black Sheep Farm Health, will also join Mark and Sarah to discuss the essential things to consider whether breeding or buying replacement females and how to maximise the effectiveness of the breeding technologies available to suckler producers including artificial insemination and synchronisation.

Strategic Farm: Be bold, be brave and ask 'does my business work for me?'

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 12:04:10 GMT

Our 2017 Strategic Farmer, Johnny Haimes, from Devon, joins Leah Shanks for an open and honest discussion on why he made the decision to disperse his suckler herd and begin rearing and finishing dairy-bred calves extensively.

Johnny will discuss how braving this significant change has impacted his profits and his work-life balance and how valuing his time and seizing opportunities has resulted in a complete change in system that now makes his business work for him.

Luppo Diepenbroek, Independent Grassland Consultant, will attend as Johnny’s mentor who has been present throughout his Strategic Farm journey. Luppo and Johnny have worked together through the transition to a forage-based system, establishing herbal leys and outwintering all stock whilst taking an organic approach.

This conversation will also touch on setting up good foundations with a dairy farm when looking to source dairy-bred calves as Becky Miles joins from AHDB’s Dairy Knowledge Exchange team.

We will also welcome David Pett, AHDB’s Farm Economics Knowledge Exchange Manager, to share tips on how to first navigate around your figures and then what to hone in on in order to make a profit.

Speaker biographies

Johnny Haimes buys in dairy cross calves together with store cattle and runs them on an outdoor based system, taking the majority through to finish near Plymouth, Devon. Johnny joined AHDB’s Farm Excellence Programme as a Strategic Farmer in September 2017.

Johnny runs a near organic system by not applying fertiliser or sprays and maximising the output of his forage by rotationally grazing 200 acres of herbal leys.

Luppo Diepenbroek was born in Holland and managed his own dairy herd with associated beef enterprise for over 25 years. Between 1988 and 2002, he acted as nutritionist for a farmer co-operative whilst converting the dairy herd at home into a paddock/cell grazing system. He then set up his own business providing consultancy and facilitation services to organic, dairy and beef farmers in the South West of England. The focus of his work has included ways to improve soil fertility and forage quality, how to graze effectively and efficiently, and increasing the ‘Triple Bottom Line’ – in terms of the financial, soil and environmental aspects of livestock farming.

Strategic Farm trial results - harvest 2020

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 18:12:00 GMT

Strategic Farm trial results - harvest 2020

Strategic Farm Week - Winter 2020

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 12:25:00 GMT

Strategic Farm Week - Winter 2020

Familiar face joins AHDB dairy team in Scotland

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 09:08:50 GMT

Familiar face joins AHDB dairy team in Scotland

AHDB Farm Excellence goes digital

Fri, 29 May 2020 16:31:55 GMT

AHDB Farm Excellence goes digital

Farming today - how are you coping?

Thu, 14 May 2020 13:52:24 GMT

Speakers: Martin Williams (MW Farming) & Becki Leach (Kite Consulting)

The pressures, pace and problems associated with juggling the demands of a farm business are ever growing. As farmers, you know how to take care of your crops and livestock, and take careful steps to ensure that they are healthy and safe, yet do you take the same care in managing your own mental and physical stress and fatigue?

While difficult circumstances such as coronavirus, extreme weather, market volatility, peer pressure and parental expectations are often beyond our influence, much of our stress is actually within our own control. This webinar will aim to help understand how you can take control of your stress and not add to it unwittingly.

To book onto this webinar, please click on the booking link above.

Recordings of previous AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds webinars can be found here.

What is a webinar? For more information, take a look at this video.

West and Wales arable update

Thu, 14 May 2020 13:52:24 GMT

Speakers: Jonathan Blake & Chloe Morgan (ADAS) and Mark Wood (J P F Clay Farms)

Join us for an AHDB/ADAS virtual visit to the open day site.

Due to the current restrictions we unfortunately can’t invite you to the site. So instead join ADAS experts, Jonathan Blake and Chloe Morgan alongside Herefordshire Farmer Mark Wood for a web walk through the wheat varieties and disease management demonstrations kindly hosted by Adam Lewis in North Herefordshire.

The online format is aimed to assist growers and agronomists in making informed decisions for the season ahead.

To book onto this webinar, please click on the booking link above.

Recordings of previous AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds webinars can be found here.

What is a webinar? For more information, take a look at this video.

Ultimate guide to the barley & OSR Recommended List

Thu, 14 May 2020 13:52:24 GMT

Hosted by the RL team, this webinar will discuss the impact of what has been a challenging year for growing conditions and drilling.

They will share how the trial validation process works and what they have seen this growing season including any new and interesting varieties and results. They will also be explaining how to access and use the harvest results service and the new RL app.

There will be a Q&A session for the audience to ask any variety questions they may have, and although the focus of this session is barley and OSR, questions relating to other crops are welcome.

To book onto this webinar, please click on the booking link above.

This webinar is part of Arable Connections 2020. To find out more about how to get involved, visit ahdb.org.uk/ac2020.

Recordings of previous AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds webinars can be found here.

What is a webinar? For more information, take a look at this video.

East Anglia Monitor Farm summer meeting

Thu, 14 May 2020 13:52:24 GMT

In this webinar we will join East Anglia’s three monitor farmers for a look at the prospects for this harvest from Hertfordshire to Suffolk. There will also be updates on the try-outs happening with Richard Ling at Diss Monitor Farm (cover crop destruction, aka ‘the stripy field and varying N management) and Tom Mead and David Hurst from Duxford Monitor Farm (Fungicide Challenge and hybrid wheat).

You will also get an insight into the farm business of our region's new Monitor Farm on the Fens.

Additionally, Harry Henderson and Charlotte Rowley, AHDB’s machinery and pest specialists respectively, will be guest starring as part of the discussion to answer any harvest, CSFB or aphid questions you might have before the summer period with harvest and cultivations and establishment.

Grab your own coffee and piece of cake (or bacon roll!) and join the conversation.

To book onto this webinar, please click on the booking link above.

Recordings of previous AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds webinars can be found here.

What is a webinar? For more information, take a look at this video.

Mole drainage and soil loosening masterclass

Thu, 14 May 2020 13:52:24 GMT

Optimising soil to get the right channels in place for roots and water is critical. Join this Strategic Farm Week webinar for practical tips and considerations on what to look for in-field, decisions on what is needed and if required, how to get mole drainage and soil loosening right this autumn on your farm.

Philip Wright, independent soils expert, along with the Strategic Farm East host, Brian Barker and AHDB’s Harry Henderson will be discussing the topic, particularly relevant following last winter’s rainfall and the current dry weather.

To book onto this webinar, please click on the booking link above.

BASIS and NRoSO points will be available for attending these webinars. Registration of your details will be on the session.

All of the webinars are FREE to attend and resources free to download – funded by your levy.

Need more details or information? Please get in touch with Teresa Meadows, AHDB Knowledge Exchange Manager - teresa.meadows@ahdb.org.uk/07387 015465

Recordings of previous AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds webinars can be found here.

What is a webinar? For more information, take a look at this video.

This webinar is part of Strategic Farm Week 2020. To find out more about other activities during the week and how to get involved, visit ahdb.org.uk/sfweek2020.

NW&NI Monitor Farm summer meeting

Thu, 14 May 2020 13:52:24 GMT

This webinar will give us the chance to catch up with the current monitor farmers in the NW&NI, Bill & Joe Webb (Hale Village) and Richard Orr (Downpatrick), as well as getting an insight into the farm business of our new Monitor Farm in Cumbria.

After what has been a challenging year for growing conditions, we will talk about the crop conditions, harvest prospects and farm try out results so far.

We will also be getting a market update from AHDB's Market Intelligence Team.

To book onto this webinar, please click on the booking link above.

Recordings of previous AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds webinars can be found here.

What is a webinar? For more information, take a look at this video.

How to monitor crop development and disease

Thu, 14 May 2020 13:52:24 GMT

Join this webinar to discover how to disease score your crops and assess crop development through the season to help inform matching inputs to potential through the season and maximising yield potential.

Catherine Harries, AHDB’s Crop Health and Protection Scientist for Diseases will take you through how you can score disease levels on your crop through the season. Brian Barker, Strategic Farm East host will be discussing how you can use plant, shoot, tiller and ear counts as the crop develops alongside the AHDB Wheat Growth Guide benchmarks to manage inputs to reflect yield potential.

To book onto this webinar, please click on the booking link above.

BASIS and NRoSO points will be available for attending these webinars. Registration of your details will be on the session.

All of the webinars are FREE to attend and resources free to download – funded by your levy.

Need more details or information? Please get in touch with Teresa Meadows, AHDB Knowledge Exchange Manager - teresa.meadows@ahdb.org.uk/07387 015465

Recordings of previous AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds webinars can be found here.

What is a webinar? For more information, take a look at this video.

This webinar is part of Strategic Farm Week 2020. To find out more about other activities during the week and how to get involved, visit ahdb.org.uk/sfweek2020.

Soil health and function in arable farming systems

Thu, 14 May 2020 13:52:24 GMT

Speakers: Rick Davies (Northampton Monitor Farm) & Jamie Stotzka (Frontier Agriculture)

This session will explore the elements of soil health and their connection and influence on soil function. Particular focus areas will include the influence of farming practice on soil health as well as biological systems and, in particular, the beneficial aspects and maintenance of balanced soil microbiomes.

To book onto this webinar, please click on the booking link above.

Recordings of previous AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds webinars can be found here.

What is a webinar? For more information, take a look at this video.

How to monitor for key insect pests and beneficials

Thu, 14 May 2020 13:52:24 GMT

With the reduction in availability of key inputs, the need for integrated pest management has become even more important. But, do you know what and how many pollinators and beneficials that you are encouraging on your farm?

Join this Strategic Farm Week webinar to discover how to set up, monitor, analyse and use the information from your pitfall traps and sticky traps on-farm to best use this summer and autumn. Strategic Farmer Rob Fox, will be joined by Mark Ramsden (ADAS) to take you on a journey through measurement of aphids, cabbage stem flea beetle, slugs and their natural enemies on your farm.

To book onto this webinar, please click on the booking link above.

BASIS and NRoSO points will be available for attending these webinars. Registration of your details will be on the session.

All of the webinars are FREE to attend and resources free to download – funded by your levy.

Need more details or information? Please get in touch with Richard Meredith, AHDB Knowledge Exchange Manager - Richard.Meredith@ahdb.org.uk/07717 493 015

Recordings of previous AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds webinars can be found here.

What is a webinar? For more information, take a look at this video.

This webinar is part of Strategic Farm Week 2020. To find out more about other activities during the week and how to get involved, visit ahdb.org.uk/sfweek2020.

Soil structure assessments masterclass

Thu, 14 May 2020 13:52:24 GMT

Interested in your soil health? This will be a practical session looking at how to assess your soil structure, using a VESS assessment, and your earthworm numbers across the farm. Use this information to inform management practices and hear how this has been put into practice on the AHDB Strategic Farms.

Led by Anne Bhogal, ADAS with David Aglen, Strategic Farm Scotland host, this will provide a hands on guide to what is needed in-field, a forum to ask your questions and the resources to carry it out for your farm business.

To book onto this webinar, please click on the booking link above.

BASIS and NRoSO points will be available for attending these webinars. Registration of your details will be on the session.

All of the webinars are FREE to attend and resources free to download – funded by your levy.

Need more details or information? Please get in touch with Chris Leslie, AHDB Knowledge Exchange Manager - chris.leslie@ahdb.org.uk/07990 442 471

Recordings of previous AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds webinars can be found here.

What is a webinar? For more information, take a look at this video.

This webinar is part of Strategic Farm Week 2020. To find out more about other activities during the week and how to get involved, visit ahdb.org.uk/sfweek2020.

South West Monitor Farm summer meeting

Thu, 14 May 2020 13:52:24 GMT

Speakers: Roger Wilson, Ashley Jones, Richard Payne, Sacha White and our new South West monitor farmer

In this webinar our South West arable monitor farmers, Roger Wilson, Ashley Jones and Richard Payne, will provide a snapshot of what the prospects are for this harvest from Wiltshire to Cornwall.

We will also be joined by ADAS Entomologist Sacha White to discuss strategies to reduce OSR crop failure to keep it in our rotations.

Finally, there will be an introduction to the South West's new monitor farmer.

To book onto this webinar, please click on the booking link above.

Recordings of previous AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds webinars can be found here.

What is a webinar? For more information, take a look at this video.

Ultimate guide to the wheat Recommended List

Thu, 14 May 2020 13:52:24 GMT

Hosted by the RL team, this webinar will discuss the impact of what has been a challenging year for growing conditions and drilling.

There will be a Q&A session for you to ask any variety questions you may have, and although the focus of this session is wheat, questions relating to other crops are welcome.

To book onto this webinar, please click on the booking link above.

This webinar is part of Arable Connections 2020. To find out more about how to get involved, visit ahdb.org.uk/ac2020.

Recordings of previous AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds webinars can be found here.

What is a webinar? For more information, take a look at this video.

How to decide when to lower inputs

Thu, 14 May 2020 13:52:24 GMT

Interested in the movement towards farming systems that use the five principles of Regenerative Agriculture?

1. To increase diversity
2. Armour the soil surface
3. Minimise soil disturbance
4. Continuous living roots
5. Livestock integration

…then join us for this evening webinar session. The aim of the event is to disseminate information on soil and plant health by providing a platform for dialogue between you, our Strategic Farmers David Aglen and Brian Barker, and leading farmers in this field, Simon Cowell and Tim Parton. This session will promote discussion towards finding practical solutions to producing nutritionally dense food whilst increasing soil organic matter and carbon sequestration and ultimately reducing reliance on plant protection products.

To book onto this webinar, please click on the booking link above.

BASIS and NRoSO points will be available for attending these webinars. Registration of your details will be on the session.

All of the webinars are FREE to attend and resources free to download – funded by your levy.

Need more details or information? Please get in touch with Chris Leslie, AHDB Knowledge Exchange Manager - Chris.Leslie@ahdb.org.uk/07990 442 471

Recordings of previous AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds webinars can be found here.

What is a webinar? For more information, take a look at this video.

This webinar is part of Strategic Farm Week 2020. To find out more about other activities during the week and how to get involved, visit ahdb.org.uk/sfweek2020.