Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is instrumental in the United Kingdom's agricultural landscape, with a particular emphasis on the dairy industry. Based at Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, AHDB is a levy-funded organization, collecting around £60 million annually from different stakeholders within the agricultural supply chain. These funds are meticulously invested in research, market development, and knowledge transfer initiatives.

Significant Events

In 2024, AHDB reported a notable increase in the sales of organic cow's milk, with a 4% rise in the 12 weeks leading up to May 18, followed by an additional 5% increase in the subsequent 12 weeks. This reflects an increasing consumer demand for organic dairy products. In 2020, AHDB, together with the National Farmers' Union (NFU), launched the GB Dairy Calf Strategy aimed at enhancing dairy calf welfare across the UK.

The first half of 2025 saw a 20% surge in UK dairy exports, driven by growing international interest. AHDB's active involvement in global events like Anuga has been crucial in promoting British dairy products worldwide. A major milestone was the organization of 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 initiatives focused on sustainability and productivity. As a key participant in the Dairy Roadmap steering group, the organization aims to uphold competitiveness within the EU market. AHDB provides valuable resources such as genomic evaluations and the Herd Genetic Report to assist farmers in optimizing their operations.

The organization is also a major player 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's ambitious plans include enhancing British dairy exports, particularly in North America, by highlighting heritage and provenance. 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 forward, 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 AHDB, milk deliveries in Ireland decreased by 3.4% in April 2026 compared to the same month in 2025. AHDB has highlighted challenges faced by British dairy farmers, who have endured a difficult year with farmgate prices plummeting since August 2025 due to a global oversupply of milk.

Modified: 2026/08/19