Agonomics – Details, episodes & analysis

Feed and raw materials, sustainable soy, straw prices and gas market anxiety are all covered, plus more besides, as David and Jack take a forensic look at how input costs are currently affecting UK farmers.

And if there was ever to be an animal orchestra, David admits he's not so sure a pig would play the trombone.

Back to the serious stuff:

Markets and prices | AHDB

Natural gas prices are rising again: Analyst Insight | AHDB

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David and Jack look at the bigger issues to understand how the likes of global GDP growth, currency and energy affect UK farmers. Should we be sweating the big stuff?

Plus find out if the pair were among the many who took to panic buying toilet roll during the Covid pandemic.

Useful stuff:

Trade and policy: food, farming and agriculture | AHDB

Food security and the externalities of food consumption | AHDB

Exploring the EU: Understanding consumer needs | AHDB

If you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.uk

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The characteristics of the top-performing farms are scrutinised by David and Jack as they're joined by Sarah Baker, AHDB's head of economics (analysis). The results of this year's report are intended to help farmers raise the performance of their farm business, regardless of current profitability.

Also up for discussion are the Muppets, Iain Dowie and a ham sandwich. And can you guess the mystery words or phrases that have been shoehorned into the episode?

Links to the important stuff:

Characteristics of top-performing farms 2024 | AHDB

Characteristics of top and bottom performing beef and sheep farms | AHDB

Characteristics of top and bottom performing cereals and oilseeds farms | AHDB

Characteristics of top and bottom performing dairy farms | AHDB

If you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.uk

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With the latest inflation figure out, David and Jack look at how it's affecting shopping behaviours. They're joined by members of AHDB's Retail and Consumer Insight Team to help identify other factors that are causing trends at the tills.

Plus there's more barbecue talk and another suggestion for what fans of the show should be called.

Back to consumer trends - here are some useful links:

Retail and consumer trends: Meat and dairy | AHDB

Retail and consumer insight | AHDB

Consumers turning to flexitarian meals due to cost concerns | AHDB

If you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.uk

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David and Jack are joined by red meat analyst Isabelle Shohet to go through the latest lamb market outlook which suggests total sheep meat production is expected to fall this year. The trio also discuss the lamb Down Under as volume in Australia grows.

And there's a nod to barbecues, crocheting, Taylor Swift and building sheep sheds. All bases covered then!

Important lamb stuff from the AHDB website:

Lamb market outlook | AHDB

Lamb markets | AHDB

If you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.uk

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David and Jack begin with a look at why pork market prices have been stable so far this calendar year and what an extended run for Gareth Southgate's squad at Euro 2024 could do for demand. And while it's all quiet on the pig front, the same can't be said for the grain markets as we enter a critical and volatile time of the year with the harvests across Europe.

So, all eyes on Germany... and Russia and Ukraine this summer!

Plus, David reveals which former Loose Women panellist is already a fan of the show. And find out why a Katie Perry song holds fond memories for Jack.

Anyway, back to the important stuff:

Q1 2024 Pork cost of production | AHDB

Pig to feed wheat price ratio | AHDB

Warmest May on record benefited UK crop growth: Grain market daily | AHDB

If you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.uk

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Agonomics with David & Jack is a new series from AHDB exploring the stories behind the numbers from the world of agriculture.

The podcast will see two of our top economists David Eudall and Jack Watts throw a weekly spotlight on the markets as well as mulling over wide-ranging issues that could impact profitability.

For more on the work AHDB does for levy payers visit: Home | AHDB

David and Jack are joined by Helen Plant, AHDB's senior analyst for cereals and oilseeds, to discuss how this year's harvest is progressing, with a nod to the impact of ergot.

Plus, find out who managed to get sun and chemical burnt knees over the recent bank holiday.

Useful links:

How much wheat can we expect from harvest 24? Grain market daily | AHDB

Recommended Lists for cereals and oilseeds (RL) harvest results | AHDB

An introduction to ergot and its management in cereals | AHDB

If you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.uk

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Grass growth and milk markets are in the spotlight as David and Jack use AHDB's Forage For Knowledge data to understand how this year's wet weather has affected grass quality before looking at market trends to see how it's impacted dairy production. The pair are joined by colleagues Katie Evans and Susie Stannard to run through the figures.

Plus find out which farmers Jack follows on social media.

Links to some important stuff:

Forage for Knowledge | AHDB

Dairy markets | AHDB

If you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.uk

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David and Jack delve into the world of agri benchmark, a global non-profit network of agricultural economists, advisors, producers and specialists, to understand how it helps farmers. How does the UK compare and what lessons can we learn from other countries?

The pair also offer themselves up as agony uncles. And find out who always makes the cups of tea in Jack's house...

More on agri benchmark:

Who are the UK’s key competitors? | AHDB

Prospects for UK agri-food exports | AHDB

If you want to get in touch with the Agonomics team, please email: agonomics@ahdb.org.uk

Sign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can:

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