Open letter from our CEO Graham Wilkinson

As he reaches his first 12 months in post, Graham Wilkinson reflects on AHDB's achievements over the past year and its aspirations for the future.

We all know farming stands at a crossroads, facing the most significant challenges of a generation. The pressures on retaining profitability are increasing, as are the demands to deliver healthy, nutritious food while mitigating climate change.

I am not a politician and am specifically prevented from any lobbying activities but that doesn’t stop me ensuring policymakers are clear on the issues that matter to you.

What I have enjoyed most about my first 12 months at AHDB is meeting and listening to farmers and processors who are looking to us to make sense of how things are shaping up. We have a big role to play in ensuring the success of British farming.

Over the past year AHDB has worked with the industry to launch an environmental baselining pilot that is a game-changer in understanding the true, positive contribution agriculture makes to the environment. Our recently published report, looking at the challenges faced from changing weather patterns, also provides vital insight, and we are maintaining our commitment to help improve advancements in the industry through cutting-edge genetic research.

We are working harder than ever to add more value through the promotion of your world-class red meat and dairy produce. During 2024, our flagship domestic marketing campaigns, including Let’s Eat Balanced, Milk Every Moment and Love Pork, continued to increase appetite for British red meat and dairy and we have seen another record year for red meat exports, now valued at £1.77bn.

Here to support you

The Cereals & Oilseeds sector is now focused on looking beyond commodities and at driving profitable, sustainable and resilient farming businesses across the wider rotation, with an emphasis on practical, actionable and data-driven insights. We also recently celebrated 80 years of the Recommended Lists, a vital tool for so many growers.

I know farmers are feeling low on confidence but be assured we are using our role as an independent, evidence-based knowledge house to inform debate on the key issues. As well as the environment and trade, this also includes providing impact assessments on SFI, inheritance tax and the effect of climate change on crop production.

Right now, many beef, dairy, sheep and pig farmers are worried about the threat of disease outbreaks. We are there to support you through those challenges. We will also continue to defend farming from unfair, unfounded claims intended to negatively influence public opinion.

With the support of your board and sector councils, representing Beef & Lamb, Cereals & Oilseeds, Dairy and Pork, we continue to listen to your needs and provide information, tools and services that will help you navigate and succeed in these rapidly changing times. We have also evolved our funding model so we can support more sectors and the wider industry where needed.

The future of farming will be delivered on farm by our amazing farmers, and you can be assured AHDB will continue to work tirelessly on your behalf.