by Jake Davies
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.
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Publishing Since
10/8/2024
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June 19, 2026
<p>This week on the <strong>Poultry Network podcast</strong>, Tom Woolman and Tom Willings are joined by <strong>Harrison Davies</strong>, technical manager at <strong>Aviagen</strong>, to discuss the launch of the Ross 308 <strong>505 Club</strong>.</p><p>Harrison explains what <strong>EPEF — European Production Efficiency Factor —</strong> means, how it is calculated and why it provides a useful benchmark for broiler crop performance. The conversation covers the move from the 470 Club to the 505 Club, the impact of stocking density, the importance of brooding, and why FCR and average daily gain are helping drive recent performance gains.</p><p>The episode also explores the role of technology, ventilation, bird behaviour and stockmanship, with Harrison stressing that while genetics set the potential of the bird, consistent management is what delivers performance on farm.</p><p>Sponsored by the <strong>Poultry Network Supplier Directory 2026/7</strong>.</p>
June 12, 2026
<p>In this episode, Tom Willings and Tom Woolman are joined by Greg Marsh, Poultry Sales Manager at ForFarmers, to discuss the launch of the <strong>Layer Academy</strong>, a BFREPA-backed initiative designed to help people working in the laying sector broaden their knowledge, build networks, and better understand the wider egg supply chain.</p><p>Greg explains why the poultry sector needs more structured opportunities for learning and collaboration, particularly given the biosecurity challenges that often prevent farm walks, open days, and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange. The Layer Academy aims to bridge that gap by bringing together a small group of people from across the sector for a 12-month programme of visits, discussion, and industry insight.</p><p>The conversation also turns to the feed market, with Greg giving his view on the raw material outlook, the impact of global politics, El Niño concerns, stock-to-use ratios, and how geopolitical uncertainty continues to influence manufacturing and transport costs.</p><p>Applications for the first Layer Academy cohort close on <strong>17 June</strong>, with places limited to eight participants. To apply, visit: https://www.bfrepa.co.uk/layer-academy</p>
May 29, 2026
<p>In this episode, Tom Willings and Tom Woolman are joined by Gary Ford for a wide-ranging discussion on the UK egg sector, covering organic production rules, environmental guidance, government price-cap speculation, chick and pullet supply pressures, and a new academy for young people in the egg industry.</p><h3>Episode overview</h3><p>The UK egg sector is enjoying strong consumer demand, but producers are facing a complex mix of policy, supply chain and production challenges.</p><p>Gary Ford explains why the organic egg sector is watching UK-EU SPS alignment discussions closely, particularly around derogations for non-organic protein in poultry diets and range access for pullets in rear. He also outlines work with Defra to ensure policymakers understand the practical consequences of changes to organic production rules.</p><p>The conversation also covers a forthcoming environmental guidance document for free-range layer producers, developed with the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales, as well as industry reaction to reports that government had discussed possible price caps on staple foods including eggs.</p><p>Later in the episode, the panel discusses growing concern around chick and pullet availability, with lead times reportedly stretching to 15-18 months for some new entrants. Gary highlights the need to focus more attention on the pullet rearing and breeder sectors, warning that the wider egg supply chain must keep pace with expansion in the commercial laying flock.</p><p>The episode closes with details of a new academy for young people in the egg sector, launched in conjunction with ForFarmers, which will give a small group of participants exposure to the full egg supply chain over a 12-month period.</p><h3>Key topics discussed</h3><p><strong>Organic egg production and UK-EU alignment</strong></p><p> Gary explains that the organic sector is part of wider UK-EU SPS alignment discussions aimed at reducing friction at the border. Two key derogations are under scrutiny: the allowance for up to 5% non-organic protein in diets for younger poultry, and rules around pullet access to range during rear.</p><p><strong>Engagement with Defra</strong></p><p> The industry is working with Defra through monthly meetings, a producer group and a planned “walk the organic food chain” exercise in the autumn, designed to show policymakers the on-farm impact of potential regulatory changes.</p><p><strong>Environmental guidance for free-range layer producers</strong></p><p> Gary outlines a new guidance document being developed with the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales. The aim is to provide producers with a “one-stop shop” covering environmental legislation and good practice for free-range layer units.</p><p><strong>Retail price-cap speculation</strong></p><p> The panel discusses reports that government had been in talks with retailers about potential price caps on staple foods, including eggs. Gary says the idea caused “disbelief and anger” among producers, although Defra later reassured him that mandatory price controls or caps on egg prices were not government policy.</p><p><strong>Eggs as an affordable protein</strong></p><p> The discussion highlights the continued strength of egg sales, with retailers reporting double-digit volume growth year on year. Gary argues that this growth demonstrates the affordability and relevance of eggs to consumers.</p><p><strong>Chick, pullet and breeder supply pressure</strong></p><p> The speakers discuss concerns around chick availability, pullet rearing capacity and breeder production. Gary says new entrants seeking pullets could potentially face lead times of 15-18 months, describing the situation as a “perfect storm” linked to expansion in the egg sector and competition for poultry housing space.</p><p><strong>Young people in the egg sector</strong></p><p> Gary promotes a new academy for young people in the egg industry, developed with ForFarmers. The programme will recruit six to eight participants and expose them to different parts of the supply chain, including hatcheries, pullet rearing, egg production, retail and a visit to the Netherlands.</p>
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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.
This podcast updates daily.
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