Kite Consulting

Hosted by Becki Reay

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Episodes

299

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Kite Consulting provide business services to the entire food supply chain, from farmer to retailer and are widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading dairy consultancy companies.

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60 recent

June 12, 202639 min

Business Focus: Inputs, Cashflow and Cost of Production

In episode 298 of the Kite Podcast, the team kick off with the usual Milk Market report from Chris Walkland, who is recording while away on holiday, before Will Evans and Ben Eagle are joined by Kite Consulting’s Emily Stafford, Kathryn Rowland and podcast producer Becki Reay to talk through the growing pressure of input inflation and what it means for farm management, cashflow and overall production costs. They explore why it’s so important for farmers to really understand their cost structures. One of the key points from the discussion is the need for a solid, practical budgeting approach, with Emily highlighting the importance of keeping a close eye on finances and having open, honest conversations with bank managers and creditors to stay on top of cashflow. As the conversation moves on, Kathryn points to the value of investing in good quality forage, explaining how it can help reduce feed costs over time, something that feels especially relevant in the current climate where margins are tight and every penny counts. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

June 5, 202649 min

What’s next for organic dairy?

In episode 297 of the Kite Podcast, Will Evans and Ben Eagle are joined by Rob Daykin from Daykin Partnership, Shropshire farmer Tim Downes, event host and Leicestershire farmer Will Armitage and Dorset farmer Sophie Gregory, as well as podcast producer Becki Reay. They discuss the evolution of the organic dairy sector, and the upcoming organic dairy conference run by the Organic Dairy Round Table, taking place in Leicestershire next week. The Organic Dairy Roundtable has been key in bringing farmers, processors, and retailers together around a shared goal of promoting organic dairy. It creates space for open, honest discussions and constructive challenge. As chair Sophie Gregory highlights, the focus is on giving the sector a voice, direction and turning conversations into real action. The episode dives deep into the state of the organic dairy market, which has seen fluctuations over the years. Will Armitage explains how the Roundtable has helped the sector respond to market signals and make sure farmers are heard. A big theme throughout is the need for farmers to work together to tackle market challenges. No milk market update from Chris Walkland this week. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

May 22, 202639 min

Mentoring Matters: Driving Growth in Agriculture

In the latest episode of the podcast, hosts Will Evans and Ben Eagle explore the role of mentoring and personal development in agriculture, joined by Helen Wyman of TwoCan Mentor and Natalie Ingman from Dugdale Nutrition. The discussion highlights mentoring as a powerful tool that can benefit individuals at any stage of their career, with Helen sharing how her programme supports participants in gaining fresh perspectives and new opportunities. Natalie reflects on her own experience, explaining how external guidance helped her navigate career decisions and prioritise personal growth alongside day-to-day responsibilities. The episode also features the usual milk market report from Chris Walkland and touches on the Northern Feed Alliance, emphasising the value of collaboration, networking, and stepping away from the farm to gain inspiration—ultimately driving innovation and better practices across the agricultural sector. You can find out more about the Northern Feed Alliance, including their upcoming event on 2nd July, here: https://www.northernfeedalliance.co.uk/events Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

May 15, 202645 min

Managing Through Chaos: Key Insights from the DIN Conference

In Episode 295 of the Kite Podcast, Will Evans and Ben Eagle are joined by farmer Fraser Jones, podcast producer Becki Reay and milk market analyst Chris Walkland to unpack the highlights and key takeaways from the DIN Conference last week, held under the timely theme ‘managing through chaos’. The episode explores what that theme meant in practice, from geopolitical uncertainty and volatile milk markets to changing consumer demand and environmental pressures. Becki provides an overview of the conference and why it remains a key fixture in the dairy calendar, while the panel reflects on standout speakers and global perspectives from regions including France and the United States, highlighting both shared challenges and emerging opportunities. A strong message throughout is the importance of collaboration, innovation and investment across the supply chain, with Fraser bringing the discussion back to farm level and considering what practical lessons can be applied within his own business. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

May 1, 202651 min

NFU Dairy Board Hot Topics: permitting, FDOM & Iran impact on costs

In episode 294 of the Kite Podcast, hosts Will Evans and Ben Eagle welcome new NFU Dairy Board Chair Ian Harvey and Vice Chair Rob Davies, alongside regular contributor Chris Walkland for the latest milk market report. The discussion kicks off with an overview of the recent changes within the NFU Dairy Board and the pressing priorities that lie ahead for dairy farmers. Ian and Rob outline key issues such as permitting challenges, water availability and the ongoing impact of geopolitical events on the dairy sector. They delve into the complexities of FDOM (The Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations), the importance of farmer engagement in the NFU’s permitting survey and the critical need for health and safety awareness within the industry. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

April 24, 202649 min

The SFS Launch: Support, Sustainability and the Future of Welsh Farming

Sustainable Farming Scheme Information Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

April 17, 202637 min

From Uncertainty to Opportunity: IFCN Insights on the Future of Dairy

Kicking off with Chris Walklands’ Milk Market Report, Episode 292 of the Kite Podcast hosts Will Evans and Ben Eagle are joined by Philipp Goetz, Head of Sales and Business Development at IFCN, and podcast producer Becki Reay. The group delve into insights from a recent IFCN and Eucolait workshop that brought together from across the dairy industry to discuss what the future might look like. Discussions explore increasing pressures on dairy farmers, from rising input costs to geopolitical uncertainty, as well as significant structural shifts within the industry, including a gradual move in production from Western to Eastern Europe shaped by economic, regulatory and consumer trends. Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, Philipp outlines cautious market projections, mentioning that while short term challenges are expected to continue, longer term recovery remains possible, though likely slower and less predictable than hoped. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

April 10, 202630 min

The Future of Feed Efficiency: Tech, Costs and Smarter Dairy Management

In episode 291 of the Kite Podcast, we kick things off with Chris Walkland’s latest milk market report before Will Evans and Ben Eagle are joined by Kite Consulting’s Ben Watts and Suffolk dairy farmer Nathan Utting. Together, they explore one of dairy farming’s most pressing challenges: feed efficiency and its role in managing rising costs. The discussion highlights why truly understanding feed costs has never been more important for farm profitability. The team delves into Feedlync, an integrated feed management and weighing system that not only improves cost control but also helps farmers monitor productivity across groups and diets with real‑time accuracy. Nathan shares how the system has streamlined decision‑making on his farm, and together they highlight that including smart technology like Feedlync is becoming essential for staying efficient, competitive and profitable in today’s dairy sector. Feedlync is now approved under FETF grant item 421, offering eligible farmers in England a £1,398 contribution, with applications open until 28 April 2026. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

March 27, 202643 min

Learning from Denmark: Biosecurity Insights for UK Farmers

In episode 290 of the Kite Podcast, host Ben Eagle is joined by Sophie Brewster from AHDB, Norfolk farmer Zara Dorrington, and Kite Consulting’s Nicola Bowden to discuss the recent AHDB knowledge exchange trip to Denmark— known for its strong focus on biosecurity and herd health. The group explore the purpose behind the visit, the current disease pressures facing UK livestock producers, and the innovative biosecurity measures they observed on Danish farms. Sophie reflects on the value of farmer to farmer learning and the benefits of stepping outside routine practice, while Zara highlights how shared knowledge and collaboration is rapidly growing in the farming community. Nicola brings her consultancy perspective, discussing how Danish learnings could lead to improved herd health and more resilient on farm decision making. They consider how a more collective and proactive approach to biosecurity could strengthen UK agriculture and improve preparedness for future disease challenges. The episode also includes the usual milk market report from Chris Walkland. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.

March 20, 202641 min

Middle East conflict: how geopolitics will impact dairy

In episode 289 of the Kite Podcast, Chris Walkland opens with his usual milk market report. Host Ben Eagle is joined by Erik Elgersma, director and founder of Strategic Analyses Services based in the Netherlands, along with podcast producer Becki Reay. Together, the group delve into how global politics, rising geopolitical tensions and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East are shaping agriculture, inflation and, crucially, the dairy markets. They explore how current events are influencing everything from fuel and fertiliser prices to packaging costs and consumer behaviour. Erik provides a clear global overview of the conflict’s ripple effects across energy markets and inflation. With pressures mounting across supply chains and consumers becoming more cost conscious, the team discuss both the short and long term implications for farmers, processors and the wider food sector. Please note: The information provided during this podcast has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. The information must not be relied upon for any purpose and no representation or warranty is given as to its accuracy, completeness or otherwise. Any reference to other organisations, businesses or products during the podcast are not endorsements or recommendations of Dairy Consulting Ltd or its affiliated companies. The views of the presenter are personal and may not be the views of Dairy Consulting Ltd. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of Dairy Consulting Ltd.