Who thinks the AHDB is well run and provides value to their business?

[Hampton]

They are presiding over LIS, which is an absolute scandal in terms of value for money, implementation, being fit for purpose and also fulfilling what Defra insist in needs too.
Ahdb don’t seem bothered about that despite owning 50% of the holding company Livestock information services limited.
Myself and @Clive have asked @Janet Hughes Defra for an opportunity to question the directors of LIS about what is going on and have been met with a wall of silence.

it could be the biggest scandal in the livestock sector since horsegate, but many farmers aren’t even aware of it

 

[ollie989898]

They are presiding over LIS, which is an absolute scandal in terms of value for money, implementation, being fit for purpose and also fulfilling what Defra insist in needs too.
Ahdb don’t seem bothered about that despite owning 50% of the holding company Livestock information services limited.
Myself and @Clive have asked @Janet Hughes Defra for an opportunity to question the directors of LIS about what is going on and have been met with a wall of silence.

it could be the biggest scandal in the livestock sector since horsegate, but many farmers aren’t even aware of it

It is possible that Janet at Defra has no idea about other Defra initiatives as she is working on the ELMS side of things?

 

[SilliamWhale]

One of the biggest changes if it went, would be that consultants would lose a lot of their information sources. There are lots of farmers who say AHDB does not give value for money, but they do not actually know or bother to find out what is available from AHDB, which is ‘free’ to them as levy payers. Then they pay a consultant, who actually realises the wealth of resources that are available and makes money by selling that advice to their clients. So they pay for it twice.

It has previously been debated at length within AHDB whether this information should be charged for, when accessed by non-levy payers, but I think it was generally felt this would be a bad idea. Better that the farmers still got the advice, even if they paid a consultant for it, than not get it at all.


In answer to the question in the title, I suspect it could be run a lot better, but it does give me value for money. Beef, sheep, dairy and until this year, cereal levy payer.

Do consultants pay AHDB levy?

 

[Hampton]

It is possible that Janet at Defra has no idea about other Defra initiatives as she is working on the ELMS side of things?

No
She should know all about it, she resigned from the board on 21st January!!!

 

[Flat 10]

No
She should know all about it, she resigned from the board on 21st January!!!

Board of the ahdb?

 

[ollie989898]

No
She should know all about it, she resigned from the board on 21st January!!!

I would too, working for such an organisation would kill my joie de vivre I am near certain of it, feels like it is staffed by people who dislike agriculture.

 

[Highashgrange]

As above. Interested to see the answer to the above simple question. I think the current consultation is merely tinkering at the edges. I can only speak for cereal farmers but interested in responses from all farmers to get a sense of feeling as it seemed other sectors were disappointed with the consultation.
As a cereal farmer I want them to set up a simple, free "tickbox" grain passport rival to Red Tractor and to try and do more to save/reregister essential, safe agchems, such as CTL. Most of what they do is in no way useful to my business. The recommended list is in desperate need of reform and there is a lot they could learn from the PGRO and BBRO who are also levy based organisations but much more help to the farmer. I don't want to see AHDB cereals abolished at this time as I think they have a lot of potential for good but unless there is serious improvement and soon, I will reluctantly back that motion.
Feel free to add any thoughts of your own. Who knows, someone at that organisation might read it? perhaps the head of engagement?!?!?

I don’t recall the last time I used any AHDB stuff for our business.

 

[Hampton]

I would too, working for such an organisation would kill my joie de vivre I am near certain of it, feels like it is staffed by people who dislike agriculture.

Not an excuse though

 

[Hampton]

Board of the ahdb?

Board of livestock information services limited

 

[Tamar]

Now the wotld is getting hungry, are AHDB required ?

RT is definately not !!

Can't ever see a time that the consumer says 'I'm so hungry but I won't eat that, as it's not FA'

 

[Clive]

Seems from this email sent to me recently that even AHDB employees don’t think it’s well run right now - read the last paragraph

 

[texelburger]

Do you know how to use a website? AHDB.org.uk

Have you ever looked at their website? Visited a stand at a show? Have you registered to receive emails about other topics eg market information? (the latter is even on here for some sectors). Watched / taken part in any of their webinars? Listened to the podcasts (also linked onTFF). Used RB209 or a nutrient management software programme (will probably have RB209 embedded). ?

Yes I use their website but find it hard to navigate.They,undoubtedly, do some good stuff but are becoming very unpopular with their silence over the imported,unassured grain fiasco.

 

[Tarw Coch]

Can't ever see a time that the consumer says 'I'm so hungry but I won't eat that, as it's not FA'

For the vast majority of consumers that never has been the case.
I buy food on looks price, previous purchases or even on impulse if I fancy trying something different, not once have I ever given any consideration whatsoever to wether it’s from a FA assured source.

 

[Grass And Grain]

Do consultants pay AHDB levy?

The consultant charges the farmer for advice/information he's got from AHDB (which was funded by the farmer).

AHDB give away levy funded info to non-levy payers.

Consultant never provides advice to farmer without charging for it.

Farmer pays twice.

 

[SilliamWhale]

For the vast majority of consumers that never has been the case.
I buy food on looks price, previous purchases or even on impulse if I fancy trying something different, not once have I ever given any consideration whatsoever to wether it’s from a FA assured source.

If produce is British that is assurance enough for me given that we are regulated anyway

 

[SilliamWhale]

Seems from this email sent to me recently that even AHBD employees don’t think it’s well run right now - read the last paragraph

View attachment 1031797View attachment 1031798

There we are then @Longpod. May be I didn't make it up?

 

[Sandpit Farm]

The consultant charges the farmer for advice/information he's got from AHDB (which was funded by the farmer).

AHDB give away levy funded info to non-levy payers.

Consultant never provides advice to farmer without charging for it.

Farmer pays twice.

Why not use the AHDB information and then pay the consultant for the next stage which tailors things to your farm? That way you only pay once.

100 cows x 8000l is a £300k turnover business and pays £480 levy. How much consultant time would I get for that? I wouldn't be able to buy semen with from bulls with figures and there would be naff all helping to get cheese into other countries... but I would have £480 to spend on consultants. One vet invoice is more than that.

 

[Grass And Grain]

Why not use the AHDB information and then pay the consultant for the next stage which tailors things to your farm? That way you only pay once.

100 cows x 8000l is a £300k turnover business and pays £480 levy. How much consultant time would I get for that? I wouldn't be able to buy semen with from bulls with figures and there would be naff all helping to get cheese into other countries... but I would have £480 to spend on consultants. One vet invoice is more than that.

I get some good info from AHDB. Generally speaking I like what they do.

 

[Old Tip]

It does absolutely nothing for upland farmers, its as if we didn’t exist, ok if your a total newbie who farms in the Home Counties and knows effin all about farming i guess.

 

[JP1]

It does absolutely nothing for upland farmers, its as if we didn’t exist, ok if your a total newbie who farms in the Home Counties and knows effin all about farming i guess.

If it helps it doesn't help this one !