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?