Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) stands as a pivotal organization in the United Kingdom's agricultural sector, particularly noted for its influence and contributions to the dairy industry. Located at Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, AHDB is a levy-funded entity that annually collects approximately £60 million from various stakeholders in the agricultural supply chain. This funding is channeled into essential areas such as research, market development, and knowledge transfer initiatives.

Significant Events

In 2024, AHDB observed a significant rise in the sales of organic cow's milk, with a 4% increase in the 12 weeks leading to May 18, followed by an additional 5% rise in the subsequent 12 weeks. This trend underscores the growing consumer demand for organic dairy products. Earlier, in 2020, AHDB launched the GB Dairy Calf Strategy in partnership with the National Farmers' Union (NFU) to enhance dairy calf welfare across the UK.

The first half of 2025 witnessed a 20% surge in UK dairy exports, driven by increasing international interest. AHDB's participation in global events such as Anuga has been crucial in promoting British dairy products globally. A significant achievement was organizing a dairy export mission to the Middle East under the UK Dairy Export Programme, in collaboration with the UK's Department for Business and Trade.

Company Plans

AHDB is committed to supporting the dairy sector through sustainability and productivity enhancement initiatives. The organization is actively involved in the Dairy Roadmap steering group, focusing on maintaining competitiveness within the EU market. It provides valuable resources such as genomic evaluations and the Herd Genetic Report to assist farmers in optimizing their operations.

AHDB is a key participant in the UK Dairy Carbon Network project, aiming to identify emission sources and opportunities for reduction. The 'Let's Eat Balanced' campaign has been notably successful, generating £28 in retail sales for every £1 of levy invested, promoting the nutritional benefits of British dairy and environmentally friendly farming practices.

The organization has ambitious plans to boost British dairy exports, particularly in North America, by emphasizing heritage and provenance. Initiatives include partnerships with retailers like Lulu Hypermarket for British Dairy Promotion and efforts to promote products in Kuwait. A new Farm Data Exchange project is being piloted with 18 farm businesses to enhance data control and sharing in the beef and dairy sectors.

Further Developments

Senior livestock analyst Becky Smith from AHDB reported an increase in cull numbers corresponding with declines in milk prices, exerting economic pressure on dairy farmers. AHDB is responsible for the April 2026 AHDB rankings, where Peak Powerhouse was named the leading Holstein sire, focusing on health and efficiency in dairy cattle breeding, while Denovo 22750 Lorenzo leads the rankings for enhancing daughter fertility and udder health.

The AHDB reported the UK's record milk production for the 2025/26 season, managing to maintain production levels despite a challenging financial environment. However, the number of dairy farms in the UK fell to a record low of 7,010, down from 8,310 in 2020, accompanied by a decrease in dairy cow numbers to 1,590,000 as of April 2026, marking a 2% drop from April 2025.

Looking ahead, the AHDB forecasts a decline in British milk production to 12.91 billion liters in the 2026/27 dairy year, with specific monthly projections indicating decreases in April, May, June, and July 2026.

Modified: 2026/06/18