The Poultry Network Podcast

Jake Davies
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Welcome to The Poultry Network Podcast, hosted by Tom Woolman and Tom Willings — your insider guide to the UK’s poultry meat and egg production sectors.   From farm to fork, we bring you expert insights, latest trends, and stories that shape the food on our plates.

  1. 6d ago

    Ep 59 | From the Poultry Meat Conference 26: Water waste and heat stress: rethinking the broiler shed

    Are broiler drinkers delivering more water than birds can actually drink? Ziggity Systems’ André van Rij made that case at this year’s Poultry Meat Conference, questioning whether recommended flow rates leave farms dealing with unnecessary spillage—and whether catch cups introduce more problems than they solve. Recorded at the event, Jake Davies and Tom Woolman discuss his argument for removing catch cups and getting drinker height right. It challenges a familiar setup on UK broiler farms, although, as Tom points out, there are reasons producers adopted cups in the first place. Heat stress is another focus, drawing on Alan Ball’s presentation for Slatehall Veterinary Services. He explained how birds lose heat and the limitations of misting during humid conditions or prolonged hot weather. Jake and Tom then add their thoughts on cooling pads and housing design, and why some changes need planning well before the next hot spell. P.D. Hook’s Carlos Paiva brought the hatchery perspective in Hatching My Way. His account of multi-stage incubation and producing millions of chicks gives Jake and Tom plenty to discuss, particularly the value of experienced staff and the personal responsibility Carlos described for the quality of chicks leaving his hatchery. There’s also discussion of Will Raw’s NFU industry update, including planning delays facing businesses ready to invest and concerns about standards for imported poultry. And, following chairman John Underwood’s remarks about communication, a reminder that emails and WhatsApp messages are no substitute for properly checking in with colleagues.

  2. Sep 11

    Ep 58 | FAI and Birdbox: Listening to hens, the next step in flock monitoring?

    Could the sounds inside a poultry house help producers spot health and welfare problems before they develop? This week, Jake and Tom are joined by Carly Scott, FAI director and BirdBox project lead, and Professor Lucy Asher of Newcastle University to discuss the next generation of BirdBox and the research behind its flock-monitoring technology. The project began around a decade ago with a challenge from the Lakes Free Range Egg Company: bring together the information collected on farms and across the supply chain, and put it to practical use. Carly explains how BirdBox combines in-house sensors, a digital flock book and information such as feed, veterinary and egg-grading data to help producers monitor their flocks and investigate performance problems. The next step is moving beyond looking back at what went wrong towards identifying warning signs earlier. The discussion covers what water consumption and egg-grading data can reveal, how the farmer-facing dashboard works, and the ambition to support earlier intervention when birds are heading towards ill health or behaviours such as feather-pecking and smothering. Lucy explains the work to recognise chicken vocalisations automatically, including the challenges of accounting for different breeds, ages and housing systems — and hens that appear to invent their own “slang”. Also explored is why the team is prioritising explainable AI, expert checks and balances and commercial validation. Finally, Carly considers how the data could support decisions across the wider egg supply chain and previews the planned BirdBox launch and demonstrations at BFREPA Live.

  3. Sep 4

    EP 57: Host Episode; Poultry Network Live – confidence, caution and the people challenge

    Recorded at Harper Adams immediately after Poultry Network Live, Tom Willings and Tom Woolman reflect on the biggest messages from a day of debate, technical insight and practical discussion across the egg and broiler sectors. And, before any of that, there is an overdue update on Tom’s increasingly determined escape-artist sheep. They discuss Patrick Hook’s candid account of the planning system, rising construction costs and why poultry businesses need to engage more openly with MPs and their local communities. Ken Clow offers a balanced assessment of the egg sector: demand remains strong, but producers must be alert to the risk of supply moving ahead of the market. That caution is contrasted with Geraint May and HSBC’s continued confidence in poultry investment, supported by the availability of all-egg contracts and longer-term agreements. The hosts also look back at Jack Hughes’ practical session on farm biosecurity, Ashley Banyard’s deep dive into avian influenza and ConkerAI’s demonstration of how artificial intelligence could help poultry businesses improve efficiency and decision-making. From the afternoon breakouts, they consider progress in broiler health and welfare, the fundamentals of a successful laying farm, benchmarking and energy costs. One theme ran through several sessions: finding, supporting and retaining good people. Robert Lanning explains how his approach to recruitment and staff management has evolved as his farming business has grown, while the wider discussion asks what poultry employers must offer to attract the next generation. The episode ends with a challenge for future conferences: how can the sector bring more young people into the room and show those outside poultry the variety of careers and opportunities available across farming and food production?

  4. Aug 28

    EP 56: Mark Williams, BEIC Chair: Imported eggs, Salmonella and the case for tougher border controls

    Imported eggs are under growing scrutiny following a UK Salmonella outbreak involving three genetically distinct clusters, around 470 cases and two deaths at the time this episode was recorded. Tom Woolman and Tom Willings are joined by Mark Williams, chairman of the British Egg Industry Council, to examine what is known about the outbreak and how the UK egg sector is responding. Mark explains why the BEIC has worked to ensure media coverage distinguishes between imported eggs and eggs produced under the British Lion scheme. He also discusses the role of whole-genome sequencing in tracing outbreaks and why imported shell eggs are particularly likely to enter price-sensitive foodservice and catering supply chains. The conversation examines the economic gap between British and imported production, the standards applied to eggs entering the country and what further action the BEIC wants from government. Mark calls for tighter border controls and greater scrutiny of imported eggs, while acknowledging the practical challenge of holding consignments as Salmonella testing is completed. He also outlines the BEIC’s discussions with the Food Standards Agency, the clarification of advice for people eating out and the industry’s plans to reinforce consumer confidence in British Lion eggs. In this episodeWhat UK health authorities have reported about the three Salmonella clustersWhy the BEIC says imported and UK-produced eggs must be clearly distinguishedHow whole-genome sequencing can connect human cases to the food supply chainWhat is currently known about the possible origin of the affected eggsWhy imported eggs are attractive to foodservice businesses and wholesalersThe production-cost and standards gap between British and imported eggsWhat further border checks the BEIC wants government to introduceThe practical difficulties involved in testing imported consignmentsHow the FSA’s advice for consumers eating out has been clarifiedWhy the outbreak could strengthen the case for British Lion eggs

  5. Aug 21

    Ep 55 | Barry Jackson: Why the UK egg market has softened – and what comes next

    After four years of tight supply and firm prices, the UK egg market has changed quickly this summer. More egg has reached the wholesale market just as seasonal demand has eased, bringing values down sharply and raising a difficult question: is this a temporary summer correction, or has the market turned? Tom Willings and Tom Woolman are joined by Barry Jackson, whose career spans shell egg, processing, co-operatives, factory development and supply strategy. Barry explains why the wholesale market has an influence far beyond its relative size and why the speed of this summer’s fall caught many businesses by surprise. The discussion looks at why processors have not simply absorbed all the additional egg being offered. Storage capacity filled quickly, while processing businesses have adapted to several years of restricted availability. Once stocks are full, taking more product only makes sense when finished-product sales are there to support it. Barry also explains how processing is moving beyond its traditional role as an outlet for seconds and surplus egg. Manufacturers increasingly want graded, consistent raw material suitable for separated yolks and whites, blends and value-added products. Growth in boiled eggs, protein snacks, sandwich fillings and prepared egg products creates opportunities, but these markets require reliable supply and tight specifications. Imports are another important part of the picture. Supply lines established during recent shortages cannot simply be switched off when more British egg becomes available. Contracts, factory requirements and security of supply mean domestic product may have to compete its way back into some markets over time. The conversation then turns to farmgate prices and contracts. Barry argues that the industry should resist returning to short-term trading and repeated price cutting. Instead, producers, packers, processors and customers have an opportunity to develop more integrated supply arrangements, improve security and create value through processing, branding, regional provenance, welfare and environmental credentials. Tom and Tom finish by considering the wide range of contracts now operating across the sector, from fixed prices to feed-linked and broader cost-of-production mechanisms. With buyers and sellers watching demand, supply and wholesale values closely, September could prove a pivotal month for the egg market.

  6. Aug 14

    Ep54 | Poultry Network's Jake Davies joins: Feed costs climb, Netflix takes on chicken and Poultry Network Live preview

    Feed markets are turning again. Black Sea disruption, drought across Europe and pressure on other crops are combining to push poultry ration costs higher, just as conditions in the egg market begin to look more challenging. With technical problems keeping Tom Willings off air, Tom Woolman is joined by Poultry Network editor-in-chief Jake Davies to discuss what is driving the renewed volatility and why feed prices will be an important watchpoint for poultry businesses over the coming months. The pair also turn their attention to Netflix’s new chicken documentary fronted by comedian Mo Gilligan. Does eating fried chicken three times a day for 28 days shed any meaningful light on poultry production? And does the programme’s focus on the American industry risk giving British viewers the wrong impression of how chicken is produced in the UK? Jake then previews Poultry Network Live 2026, taking place at Harper Adams University on 3 September. The programme includes a boardroom outlook from senior egg and poultrymeat figures, an APHA assessment of the coming avian influenza season and focused afternoon sessions for the broiler and layer sectors. There will also be a special keynote from ConkerAI examining practical uses of artificial intelligence in poultry businesses — from interpreting production data and managing finances to developing standard operating procedures and supporting staff. Tickets are still available. Visit poultry.network for the full programme or email jake@deemediagroup.com to book.

  7. Aug 7

    Ep 53 | Host Episode; ABN exit, organic egg trade-offs and a summer market squeeze

    Tom Willings and Tom Woolman sit down together for a summer round-up of the stories shaping the poultry sector, from major changes in the feed industry to mounting pressure in the egg market. The episode begins with Tom Woolman’s family holiday to the Dordogne, where a search for a farm visit led to a foie gras producer offering public tours of its entire operation. The experience prompts a wider conversation about force-feeding, transparency and the striking differences between British and French attitudes towards food production. Attention then turns to ABN’s announcement that it intends to exit the UK monogastric feed business. Tom reflects on the company’s longstanding role in the pig and poultry sectors, its reputation for feed quality and its extensive support for industry events. The hosts consider how structural changes within the broiler supply chain may have contributed to the decision, as well as the opportunities that could emerge as ABN explores options for its sites during the proposed 12-month withdrawal. The two Toms also examine research highlighted by The Guardian suggesting that organic egg production can have a greater environmental footprint than more intensive systems. While the underlying relationship between productivity, land use and environmental impact is unsurprising, they question whether older mortality and production data accurately represent today’s free-range and organic sector. The discussion explores the difficult balance between environmental performance, animal welfare and consumer expectations. It also asks how broad conclusions about sustainable food systems can be translated into national policy, retailer commitments and individual investment or planning decisions. Finally, the hosts assess the recent downturn in the wholesale egg market. Summer demand has traditionally softened, but the latest fall appears more significant following several years of tight supply. With packing centres reportedly carrying more egg, some businesses potentially turning volume away and longer-term farmgate commitments still in place, the episode considers how much financial exposure packers can absorb and whether contracts throughout the chain may need to be reconsidered. The episode concludes with a preview of Poultry Network Live, taking place at Harper Adams University on 3 September, where Tom Woolman will chair a session examining broiler health and performance. In this episodeA revealing foie gras farm tour in southwest FranceCultural differences in attitudes towards food and farmingWhat ABN’s planned withdrawal means for poultry feedEnvironmental trade-offs between egg production systemsWhether historic data reflects modern free-range performanceFalling wholesale egg values and the potential impact on packersThe challenge of balancing long-term contracts with a changing marketA preview of Poultry Network Live 2026

  8. Jul 31

    Ep 52 | Aaron Cowieson: How blood biomarkers could sharpen poultry nutrition

    Portable blood testing is giving poultry nutritionists and vets a clearer view of how birds are actually responding to feed—not simply what a ration is expected to deliver. In this episode, Tom Woolman and Tom Willings are joined by Aaron Cowieson, senior science fellow at DSM-Firmenich, to explore the emerging use of blood biomarkers in commercial poultry production. Aaron explains how rapid, portable analytical devices can now be used on farm, creating a direct feedback loop between the formulated diet, the production environment and the bird. The discussion focuses on calcium and phosphorus: why they matter for skeletal development, appetite, energy metabolism and immune function, and why blood levels may still be wrong even when a ration appears correct on paper. Factors including limestone quality and solubility, hard drinking water, intestinal health, kidney function and vitamin D metabolism can all affect how much of a nutrient is available to the bird. Aaron also outlines the practical signs that may point towards an imbalance, including poorer flock uniformity, wet litter, footpad dermatitis, lameness, higher feed conversion and increased mortality. A wider panel of almost 30 blood biomarkers can then help distinguish between nutritional shortfalls and underlying health problems. The conversation considers how the technology is currently being used by vets, nutritionists and some poultry businesses, as well as its practical limitations. Where a formulation change is required, the benefit may be seen in the next flock rather than the current one, although water-based interventions can sometimes provide a more immediate response. Finally, the panel looks at how large commercial datasets, machine learning and AI could help turn flock-level measurements into better decisions. Although the episode centres on broilers, the same tools could have particular value in longer-lived laying and breeder flocks, where improved nutrient management may deliver benefits over a much longer production cycle.

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About

Welcome to The Poultry Network Podcast, hosted by Tom Woolman and Tom Willings — your insider guide to the UK’s poultry meat and egg production sectors.   From farm to fork, we bring you expert insights, latest trends, and stories that shape the food on our plates.

Information

  • Creator
    Jake Davies
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dee Media Group LTD
  • Show Website
    The Poultry Network Podcast