AHDB Dairy is the dairy division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), a UK statutory levy board that supports British farmers, processors, and retailers through data-driven insight, technical expertise, and market development. Based in Coventry, United Kingdom, AHDB Dairy plays a pivotal role in ensuring the competitiveness and sustainability of the UK dairy industry.
Organization Overview
AHDB Dairy operates as a government-backed, non-profit organization, funded by dairy farmer levies. Its mission is to deliver improved returns for levy payers by providing access to industry intelligence, tools for on-farm improvement, and strategic marketing support to stimulate both domestic and international demand for UK dairy products.
Core Areas of Work
AHDB Dairy's services are segmented across several key functional areas:
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Market Intelligence:
- Provision of comprehensive dairy market data, including milk production volumes, prices, consumption trends, and trade flows.
- Access to dairy trade dashboards, updated regularly to guide stakeholders.
- Retail and consumer behavior analysis to inform commercial strategies.
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Knowledge Exchange:
- Strategic Dairy Farms initiative, where benchmarking and live demonstrations help farmers apply best practices.
- Technical publications and webinars on herd management, nutrition, fertility, and milking efficiency.
- Support for on-farm learning and skills training through regional workshops and e-learning modules.
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Genetics & Breeding:
- Publication of Genetic Indexes (e.g., Profitable Lifetime Index – £PLI).
- Inbreeding checker tools and Herd Genetic Reports to optimize herd performance.
- Collaboration with genetics companies and breed societies for accurate data modeling.
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Animal Health & Welfare:
- Implementation of the Dairy Disease Control Framework (DDCF).
- Resources on mastitis management, lameness reduction, and other priority conditions.
- Promotion of high welfare standards to meet both ethical and market expectations.
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Sustainability & Environment:
- Key driver of the Dairy Roadmap, outlining targets for environmental impact reduction.
- Provision of carbon footprint calculators and environmental benchmarking tools.
- Guidance on slurry management, biodiversity, and net-zero farming initiatives.
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Consumer Marketing & Public Engagement:
- Lead agency behind the “We Eat Balanced” national marketing campaign promoting the health benefits of dairy and red meat.
- Nutritional advocacy through schools and public forums.
- Combatting misinformation and promoting farmer reputations through media engagement.
Data-Driven Impact and Industry Reach
- AHDB Dairy supports over 8,500 dairy farmers across the UK through research and levy-funded programs.
- The UK dairy sector generates £4.5 billion in annual farmgate revenue, with AHDB playing a vital role in knowledge transfer and export support.
- Tools like the Milk Forecasting Model and Market Signals Dashboard are used by processors, traders, and retailers for strategic planning.
Research and Export Development
- Collaborates with institutions such as Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and AgriSearch NI to pioneer applied dairy research.
- Engaged in trade promotion and export showcasing, particularly in high-growth markets including Asia, the Middle East, and North America.
- Export support includes dairy product profiling, buyer connections, and compliance guidance.
Publications and Resources
- All Things Dairy Magazine (Spring 2025 Edition) provides sector updates and farmer interviews.
- The Dairy Sector Plan 2022–2027 outlines strategic priorities including productivity, resilience, and decarbonization.
Leadership
The dairy division is led by Paul Flanagan, Sector Strategy Director – Dairy. His leadership focuses on ensuring AHDB Dairy aligns its resources to deliver maximum return on investment for levy payers while addressing major industry challenges including labor shortages, sustainability, and post-Brexit trade conditions.
Digital Platforms and Communication
- AHDB Dairy communicates insights and updates through its official website, webinars, newsletters, and YouTube video briefings.
- Social media outreach supports consumer trust-building and industry transparency.
Recognition and Collaborations
- Endorsed by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and works in alignment with UK government sustainability targets.
- Recognized within the EU for maintaining best practice frameworks in dairy herd management and environmental stewardship.
AHDB Dairy remains central to the evolution of the UK’s dairy industry—ensuring it is data-informed, globally competitive, environmentally responsible, and publicly trusted.
