434: Genetics: The suckler industry's missed opportunity

Lifting the lid on the world of dairy genomics is AHDB Knowledge Exchange Manager Alan McFadzean. Alan's joined by strategic dairy farmer John Bailey and veterinary surgeon Dr Neil Eastham to find out what they have achieved by embracing tools like the Profitable Lifetime Index (PLI). Useful links Dairy breeding and genetics | AHDB Breeding indexes and traits | AHDB Profitable Lifetime Index £PLI | AHDB Feedback We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you’d like to give your feedback, please complete our short questionnaire, which will help us to improve the podcast on an ongoing basis, or email us with your thoughts, comments and suggestions: [email protected] 

Using genetics, rather than selecting animals purely on their visual characteristics, is likely to lead to a more productive and profitable suckler herd. So why do so few beef farmers use them? AHDB's Beef and Lamb team caught up with our Lead Animal Genetics Expert, Harriet Bunning, and suckler farmer James Dixon to discuss what factors should be considered when choosing your best breeding animals. Useful links Maternal Matters: Using EBVs and Indexes for selection in the suckler herd | AHDB Choosing bulls for Better Returns | AHDB National beef evaluations | AHDB Feedback We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you’d like to give your feedback, please complete our short questionnaire, which will help us to improve the podcast on an ongoing basis, or email us with your thoughts, comments and suggestions: [email protected] 

Using clover can give your farm an environmental boost, but where do you start? AHDB's Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager, Stephen West, has been to see dairy farmer Wil Armitage who uses clover as part of his organic system at Keythorpe Lakes Farm in Leicestershire. Useful links Curious about clover? | AHDB Establishing and growing clover | AHDB AHDB Food & Farming / Cultivating clover: Practical farming advice (audioboom.com) Feedback We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you’d like to give your feedback, please complete our short questionnaire, which will help us to improve the podcast on an ongoing basis, or email us with your thoughts, comments and suggestions: [email protected] 

Work to find a vaccine for the BTV-3 strain of bluetongue continues after cases were confirmed in cows and sheep in England. Veterinary vaccine consultant Professor Andy Peters, Dr Carrie Batten from The Pirbright Institute, and AHDB's Head of Animal Health and Welfare, Dr Mandy Nevel, join host John Bates to discuss how much progress has been made. Useful links Bluetongue virus | AHDB Bluetongue virus technical webinars | AHDB The Pirbright Institute | Preventing and controlling viral diseases Feedback We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you’d like to give your feedback, please complete our short questionnaire, which will help us to improve the podcast on an ongoing basis, or email us with your thoughts, comments and suggestions: [email protected] 

It's one thing to talk about improving ecosystems while maintaining productivity on farm, but how can you actually achieve it? As part of AHDB's Roots to Resilience programme, our Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager for Beef and Lamb, Amy Hughes, caught up with three farmers who have already put the theory into practice. Useful links Ian's journey: https://youtu.be/FD4MNYt29-Y Silas' journey: https://youtu.be/KN3KFGPE1Dg Emily's journey: https://youtu.be/nQHCY_Xd6Rk AHDB Food & Farming / Food production and the ecosystem (audioboom.com) Roots to Resilience | AHDB Feedback We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you’d like to give your feedback, please complete our short questionnaire, which will help us to improve the podcast on an ongoing basis, or email us with your thoughts, comments and suggestions: [email protected] 

Graham Wilkinson has taken up the reins at AHDB. But who is the new CEO? And what does it mean for levy payers and those in the wider supply chain? Our Head of Engagement for Beef and Lamb, Sam Charlton, caught up with Graham to find out the answers and discover more about his ambitions for AHDB. Useful links Graham Wilkinson to join AHDB as new CEO | AHDB Funding and structure | AHDB News | AHDB Feedback We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you’d like to give your feedback, please complete our short questionnaire, which will help us to improve the podcast on an ongoing basis, or email us with your thoughts, comments and suggestions: [email protected] 

Strong winter grass growth followed by a wet start to the year has made it tricky to get dairy herds out for grazing. AHDB Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager Jamie McCoy explores ways to make the most of the conditions by heading to a farm in Wales as well as catching up with pasture to profit consultant Piers Badnell. Useful links Benefits of on/off grazing cows in autumn | AHDB Forage for Knowledge end of year review – 2023 | AHDB Content related to the topic: grassland-management | AHDB Feedback We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you’d like to give your feedback, please complete our short questionnaire, which will help us to improve the podcast on an ongoing basis, or email us with your thoughts, comments and suggestions: [email protected] 

Mental and physical wellbeing, as well as sexism in the workplace, are on the agenda as AHDB reporter Alice Perry chats with Dr Stephanie Fitzgerald, a chartered clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist. The pair met at the recent Agrileader Forum in Manchester, where Stephanie was invited to speak about the key mental health issues of today. Useful links Support for farmers - mental health | AHDB AgriLeader | AHDB Talking Leaders | AHDB Feedback We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you’d like to give your feedback, please complete our short questionnaire, which will help us to improve the podcast on an ongoing basis, or email us with your thoughts, comments and suggestions: [email protected] 

As part of AHDB's Roots To Resilience programme, our national specialist for grass forage and soil, Katie Evans, is joined by Jason Rowntree to discuss how we could improve ecosystems while maintaining productivity on farm.  Jason is a professor of animal science at Michigan State University and director of MSU Center for Regenerative Agriculture. Useful links Roots to Resilience | AHDB Roots to Resilience - YouTube Beef & Lamb sector plan 2022–2027 | AHDB Feedback We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you’d like to give your feedback, please complete our short questionnaire, which will help us to improve the podcast on an ongoing basis, or email us with your thoughts, comments and suggestions: [email protected] 

We discuss the water regulation guidelines, the cab cards developed by the Environment Agency, and how outdoor pig producers can minimise the risk of pollution. AHDB's Knowledge Exchange Relationship Manager Andrew Palmer is joined by the Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) Advisor Helen Blower and Farming Rules for Water lead, Jackie Vale. Useful links Water regulations for farmers | AHDB Farming rules cab card Environmental Permitting Regulations | AHDB Water Regs UK Limited - Water Regulations Guide Check for Drinking Water Safeguard Zones and NVZs (data.gov.uk) Rules for farmers and land managers to prevent water pollution - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Applying the farming rules for water - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Feedback We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you’d like to give your feedback, please complete our short questionnaire, which will help us to improve the podcast on an ongoing basis, or email us with your thoughts, comments and suggestions: [email protected]