Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) plays a significant role in the United Kingdom's agricultural landscape, with a strong emphasis on the dairy industry. Situated at Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, AHDB operates as a levy-funded organization, gathering approximately £60 million every year from various stakeholders within the agricultural supply chain. These funds are strategically invested in research, market development, and knowledge transfer initiatives.

Significant Events

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

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

Company Plans

AHDB remains committed to supporting the dairy sector through initiatives focused on sustainability and productivity. As an active participant in the Dairy Roadmap steering group, the organization aims to maintain competitiveness within the EU market. AHDB offers valuable resources such as genomic evaluations and the Herd Genetic Report to aid farmers in optimizing their operations.

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

AHDB has ambitious plans to enhance British dairy exports, especially in North America, by highlighting heritage and provenance. Its initiatives include partnerships with retailers like Lulu Hypermarket for British Dairy Promotion and efforts to promote products in Kuwait. Additionally, a new Farm Data Exchange project is being piloted with 18 farm businesses to improve 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, adding 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 noted 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, alongside 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.

According to the AHDB, milk deliveries in Ireland decreased by 3.4% in April 2026 compared to the same month in 2025.

Modified: 2026/07/29