In this episode of the Poultry Network Podcast, host Tom Willings is joined by editor Jake Davies.

Their guest is Wayne Olbison, Head of Sales for UK and Ireland at Lanxess Biosecurity Solutions, who discusses the company’s role in agricultural hygiene and offers practical biosecurity advice in light of recent avian influenza outbreaks.

Wayne introduces Lanxess as a global chemicals business, with the Biosecurity Solutions division focused on cleaning and disinfection products for agriculture and aquaculture.

The timing of the conversation is significant: in late July five new cases of avian influenza were confirmed in the UK, including several in Somerset.

Such unseasonal outbreaks underline that AI may now be endemic in wild bird populations, with risks present year-round rather than only in winter.

Both the hosts and Wayne emphasise vigilance and strict farm hygiene as critical defences.

Wayne stresses that biosecurity is often misunderstood.

Some see it purely as terminal hygiene – cleaning and disinfecting once birds leave a house – while others recognise continuous measures during a flock cycle.

In reality, both are essential.

The first day of the next flock cycle starts immediately after the previous flock leaves, and any carry-over risks must be eliminated.

Farmers may handle cleaning themselves, use in-house teams, or hire contractors, but consistency and thoroughness matter most.

Too often, people look for shortcuts: a fast clean rather than a correct clean, which leaves organic matter behind and undermines disinfection.

The discussion then focuses on common pitfalls.

Continuous farm practices frequently fail due to poor maintenance or incorrect use.

Wheel washes may not contain active disinfectant if pumps aren’t working or chemical drums are empty; foot dips, the “first line of defence,” are often contaminated, degraded by sunlight, or incorrectly mixed.

Without lids or regular replacement, disinfectant quickly becomes ineffective.

During terminal cleans, failure to fully remove organic matter or using disinfectants at the wrong concentration reduces efficacy. 

For example, a DEFRA-approved product rated at 2% may be ineffective if applied at 1.5%. 

Wayne stresses that washing and disinfection are separate processes: muck must be removed before applying disinfectant, otherwise the chemistry is neutralised. 

Attention to dilution rates, contact time, and correct rotation of chemistries is also critical. 

Oxidising products are often best used first to knock down viruses, but order matters – misapplication can cancel out effectiveness.

Tom probes Wayne on wheel wash technology, from simple knapsack sprayers to integrated spray bars. 

While drive-through systems are ideal, they are costly and require space, so most farms rely on sprayers. 

Whatever the system, doing nothing is not an option. Equally, over-mixing or combining incompatible products can reduce performance or create hazards. 

Wayne underlines that advice should be tailored: the target pathogen, the chemistry in use, and the sequence of application all matter.

 1. Control entry – restrict visitors and ensure every vehicle entering has wheels properly disinfected with working, charged systems.
 2. Prioritise foot dips – maintain them with the correct product, at the correct dilution, and replace them frequently to ensure they are active.
 3. Enforce accuracy – whether cleaning houses or mixing disinfectants, precision matters. Guesswork or shortcuts leave pathogens behind and waste money.

Ep. 12, Wayne Olbison, Lanxess: Foot Dips, Wheel Washes & AI Vigilance

In this episode of the Poultry Network Podcast, hosts Tom Willings and Tom Woolman welcome Graham Atkinson, an experienced poultry professional who recently founded Grange Consultancy after nearly three decades in the sector, including 14 years at Noble Foods.

The conversation begins with talk of Yorkshire weather before turning to Graham’s transition from corporate employment to independent consultancy.

He reflects on the nerves of setting up on his own but explains how a “varied diet” of work – spanning data, technology, health and welfare, pharmaceuticals, writing, and increasingly direct work with producers – has kept him busy and engaged.

The core focus of the discussion is on egg supply contracts – a subject Graham has been exploring through his work and in a recent article in The Ranger magazine.

The hosts and guest dig into what makes a good contract, why producers should pay closer attention to detail, and how contracts can balance fairness for both producers and packers.

Graham notes that today’s strong producer margins are historically unusual and unlikely to last indefinitely.

Many farmers, he says, underestimate or misunderstand the small print of contracts.

Some have traditionally relied on trust-based relationships without formal agreements, while others sign documents without fully grasping their obligations.

Both situations can leave producers exposed when market conditions change.

The podcast explores specific contract components:

 * Egg supply agreements vs. pricing terms – often handled in separate documents, which can create confusion.
 * Force majeure clauses – usually vaguely drafted; Graham argues for clearer definitions, including explicit reference to avian influenza.
 * Price adjustment mechanisms – highlighted as the most contentious element of any deal. The team stress the importance of transparency over when and how prices move.

One major development has been the use of the ADAS cost of production model, pioneered by BFREPA.

This independent reference point has been increasingly incorporated into contracts, giving producers and packers a clear, mutually agreed basis for pricing.

Graham welcomes this as a step forward, though he cautions that adoption remains patchy.

The discussion also touches on wider market dynamics. The hosts argue that while cost-of-production models provide fairness, there must still be space for diversity: different farms with different business models will inevitably need different contractual terms.

Spot markets will continue to play a role, as not every producer will opt for (or be offered) a long-term cost-linked agreement.

Looking ahead, the panel link these debates to the DEFRA Fairness in the Supply Chain Review, which outlines a potential code of practice for farm-gate contracts.

Government is pushing for greater transparency from buyers, particularly around price changes – a demand that could be very difficult for packers to meet given the complexity of their operations and customer mix.

As the episode closes, Graham offers his advice to farmers:

 1. Read your contract in detail – don’t assume you know what it says.
 2. Seek advice on unclear clauses.
 3. Look beyond today’s price – focus on how price is structured and adjusted.
 4. Clarify protections around force majeure and other critical risks.
 5. Work with packers as partners to create agreements both sides can sustain.

The conversation underscores that contracts are not just paperwork but the foundation of long-term, resilient relationships across the egg supply chain. 

E11 Graham Atkinson: Building Fairer, Smarter Egg Supply Agreements

In this episode of the Poultry Network Podcast, Tom Woolman and Tom Willings speak with Dr Tracey Jones, Global Director of Food Business at Compassion in World Farming, about the UK’s shift toward a cage-free future.

Tracey outlines the progress so far – 82 % of UK laying hens are now cage-free, compared with 50 % in 2016 – and the 2025 commitments made by major retailers. The conversation covers Iceland’s recent U-turn on its original pledge, public pressure driven by NGOs and high-profile campaigns, and the importance of retail alignment in creating industry change.

The discussion also addresses the 18 % of hens still in cages, the role of legislation in levelling the playing field, and the need for equivalent standards for imported eggs to avoid undermining UK producers. Funding and support for farmers transitioning to barn or free-range systems are explored, as are future welfare priorities such as enriched environments, veranda and natural light requirements, and phasing out beak trimming.

Tracey also comments on global cage-free efforts, the challenges and slower progress of the Better Chicken Commitment compared with eggs, and the balance of “carrot and stick” in driving corporate commitments. She emphasises the importance of early action, transparent reporting, and maintaining momentum toward higher welfare standards.

CTA:
If you’re involved in egg production, retail, foodservice or manufacturing, now is the time to act. Ensure your cage-free commitments are on track for 2025 and report progress by March 2026 to be included in the 2025 EggTrack. Contact Compassion In World Farming for more information. 

E10 Compassion in World Farming: Progress, pressure and the path to 100 % cage-free

In this episode, Tom Woolman and Tom Willings are joined by Jake Davies, editor of Poultry Network, to preview this year’s Poultry Network Live conference — taking place on 4 September at Harper Adams University.

Jake outlines this year’s theme — growth, optimism and ambition — and gives a behind-the-scenes look at what’s in store for delegates, including:

 * A keynote from Professor David Hughes, exploring global protein trends and poultry’s competitive edge.
 * A health and biosecurity session featuring Gordon Hickman OBE from APHA, covering avian influenza insights and Defra policy developments.
 * A practical panel on expanding your poultry enterprise, with speakers from NatWest, Maelor Foods, Farmlay Eggs, and Morspan Construction.
 * Afternoon sector-specific sessions — including broiler and laying hen topics, with a special mention for Vincent Beyer of Laying Hen Pros, bringing big-industry data expertise to egg production.

With lively discussion, insights into the speaker line-up, and a reminder on how to book tickets, this episode offers a great preview of what to expect from one of the UK poultry industry’s key events of the year.

📅 Poultry Network Live takes place on 4 September 2025. To attend, email graeme@poultry.network to reserve your ticket.

E9 Poultry Network Live 2025: Growth, Optimism and Ambition

In this episode of the Poultry Network podcast, co-hosts Tom Woolman and Tom Willings are joined by Kelly Grellier, Chief Commercial Officer at RSPCA Assured, and Kate Parkes, Senior Scientific Officer at the RSPCA, to explore the updated laying hen welfare standards.

The conversation opens with an explanation of the relationship between the RSPCA and RSPCA Assured. 

The RSPCA is responsible for writing the welfare standards, informed by peer-reviewed science, practical trial data, and veterinary input. RSPCA Assured supports implementation, conducts assessments, and helps producers apply the standards on farm.

The guests discuss how scientific research, outcome-based measures, and producer feedback are all considered when updating standards. 

While RSPCA Assured has gathered over a decade of farm-level welfare data, such as feather cover and flock behaviour, they acknowledge that analysing this data in a more strategic way is a future priority. 

To support this, they’ve invested in a new Impact and Insights team to enhance how data informs benchmarking and continuous improvement.

The Standards Technical Advisory Group (STAG), comprising researchers, vets, and producers, plays a central role in developing and refining the standards. 

For the 2023 laying hen standards, discussions began in 2021 and included consultations with producers, manufacturers, and industry experts. 

After implementation, an additional working group—comprising regional producers and STAG representatives—was formed to address practical concerns. 

This led to clarification in wording and, in a few cases, adjustments to make implementation more feasible while preserving welfare goals.

The episode highlights the importance of broad and ongoing consultation, especially in light of external reviews, such as the AHDB and NFU-led Farm Assurance Review and Defra’s review into fairness in the supply chain. 

Both have reinforced the value of engagement at a practical level, something the RSPCA is committed to embedding in future revisions.

Looking ahead, the next version of the laying hen standards is expected in 2027. 

While major changes are not anticipated, the team will begin consulting on topics flagged in the current version’s information boxes. 

These may signal future aspirations or focus areas but will undergo the same robust review and consultation process.

Kelly and Kate also share how producers can engage in the development process—whether through the regional working group, contact with the farm and technical engagement team, conversations with assessors, or by reviewing publicly available summary notes on the RSPCA websites.

The podcast closes with a discussion on the role of supermarkets. While retailers are not directly involved in STAG, RSPCA Assured has strong relationships with agricultural teams within retail businesses and has created a new team focused on engaging them around welfare strategy alignment. 

Crucially, however, the standards remain independently set.

The episode underscores the challenge and necessity of balancing science, practicality, and commercial viability in welfare assurance—and the importance of collaboration at every stage.

E8 RSPCA: How it developed its latest laying hen standards

In this episode of the Sustainability Hub podcast, host Tom Willings is joined by Dr Harriet Walker and Jim Wynne from Alltech to explore how science, data, and nutrition are driving both performance and sustainability in poultry production.

Dr Walker shares her journey into the poultry industry, from an academic project in broiler nutrition to her current role as poultry technical specialist at Alltech. 

She discusses the company's commitment to gut health and performance through products like Actigen, Bioplex, and Biomos, and explains how rigorous scientific meta-analyses have demonstrated improvements in feed conversion, egg production, mortality, and eggshell strength. 

These gains, while incremental, can significantly enhance farm profitability and sustainability—especially when considered at scale.

Jim Wynne, from Alltech's environmental footprinting division ECO2, details how lifecycle analysis (LCA) provides a full-chain view of emissions - from hatchery to breeder to processing plant. 

He explains how ECO2 has grown from a small UK dairy-focused start-up to a globally certified footprinting operation covering poultry, aqua, and pet food sectors. 

Jim and his team help producers and retailers model emissions data using tools like PowerBI dashboards to benchmark and improve performance across supply chains.

The conversation highlights how environmental sustainability and animal performance are intertwined. 

By improving gut health and nutrient absorption – particularly through more bioavailable organic minerals – farmers can achieve better feed efficiency, longer laying cycles, and lower mortality.

These outcomes reduce the environmental impact per unit of output while increasing profitability. 

A 2% improvement in FCR or egg production, for example, can yield meaningful reductions in emissions and notable financial returns when applied across large flocks.

Harriet and Jim also touch on consumer expectations, retailer pressures, and growing interest from producers in environmental data – often driven by the need for green loan eligibility. 

The discussion explores the challenges of transitioning away from high-soy diets, with new Alltech trials demonstrating how alternative proteins, such as peas, beans, lupins, and sunflowers, when combined with targeted feed additives, can maintain performance while reducing soy-related emissions by up to 10%.

They also explore regional nuances, comparing sustainability motivations across global markets, and the role of Alltech's "Planet of Plenty" vision in promoting science-backed agricultural improvement. 

With roots in yeast fermentation and brewing, Alltech has maintained a family-owned business culture while scaling to over 5,000 employees worldwide. 

Initiatives like internal skill-sharing challenges and community fundraising add a human element to a company built on complex science and global ambition.

The episode closes with reflections on the future – ranging from reduced antibiotic use to more holistic formulation of diets based on updated mineral science. 

Whether the goal is improving food safety, enabling longer lay cycles, or reducing phosphorus in manure, the central message is clear: incremental gains in nutrition and footprinting deliver compounded benefits for animals, producers, and the planet.

E7 Poultry Network Sustainability Hub: “LCA, Additives and Impact: Alltech Breaks It Down”

In this episode of the Poultry Network Podcast, hosts Tom Woolman and Tom Willings are joined by Bex Tonks, CEO and farmer at St. Ewe Free Range Eggs, for a wide-ranging conversation on growth, values, and future vision in the egg sector.

Bex reflects on a milestone year for the business—winning Packer of the Year at the National Egg & Poultry Awards, a Grocer Gold Award nomination, and recognition by the Sunday Times as one of the UK’s Top 100 fastest-growing companies, where St. Ewe placed 53rd.

While the three joke about needing a bigger boardroom for all the trophies, Bex explains why awards matter: they honour the hard work of their team and farming partners.

The discussion also covers the creation of a new Agricultural Director role, signalling St. Ewe’s continued expansion.

Bex extends an open invitation to passionate candidates—even those outside the egg sector—highlighting the value of a fresh perspective.

A key focus of the episode is B Corp certification, which St. Ewe recently achieved after a three-year journey.

Bex explains how it provided a valuable framework for clarifying company values, strengthening governance, and challenging day-to-day decision-making through the lens of sustainability, people, and purpose.

It’s a journey she believes many agricultural businesses could—and should—embark on.

The conversation also dives into the power of brand-building in eggs.

Bex shares the story of how St. Ewe’s now-iconic packaging was born—complete with chickens on the beach—and how a strong brand became essential for communicating values directly to consumers.

This branding focus, she argues, has driven egg category growth in contrast to sectors like meat, which remain largely own-label.

Looking ahead, Bex reveals plans to expand their packing centre, reinvest in pasteurisation equipment, and launch new value-added products in 2026 aimed at increasing egg consumption.

It’s all part of St. Ewe’s mission to grow efficiently while staying grounded in core values.

On a more personal note, Bex speaks candidly about balancing business with family life, especially while supporting her father through vascular dementia.

This shift is giving her space to think more creatively about future innovations, brand strategies, and community impact.

The episode closes with reflections on long-term growth.

While St. Ewe may appear to be an “overnight success,” its 19-year journey has been built on consistent investment in people, process, and vision.

This year, says Bex, is about fine-tuning the engine before they gear up for another phase of growth.

Packed with insight, humour, and optimism, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the business of eggs, the power of purpose-driven leadership, and what it takes to build a bold, modern agricultural brand.

🎉 Plus: Find out why Bex once took chickens to the beach, what Jeremy Clarkson has to do with St. Ewe’s growth ranking, and why she believes the next wave of agri-brands is just around the corner.

E6 Eggs, Expansion and Inspiration: Bex Tonks on St. Ewe’s Big Year

In this episode of the Poultry Network Podcast, Jake Davies, editor of Poultry.Network, steps in for regular host Tom Woolman to interview one of the most recognisable names in UK agricultural planning: Ian Pick of Harrison Pick.

Described as "planning royalty" in the poultry world, Ian shares insights from nearly two decades of experience helping producers across the UK navigate an increasingly complex planning system.

Responsible for thousands of poultry units nationwide, Ian explains the current realities facing farmers who want to develop or expand poultry operations - especially in light of tightening environmental thresholds and regulatory changes.

The conversation begins with a walk-through of the planning process from first contact through site screening.

Ian outlines how the ammonia impact threshold is now the biggest barrier, ruling out around 80% of initial enquiries.

Most applications fail before they begin — unless mitigation technologies like air scrubbers can be justified.

Despite these challenges, Ian says demand is booming, particularly in the broiler sector, with stocking density changes driving the need for more housing.

He and his team are seeing record volumes of planning applications, working 80-hour weeks just to keep pace.

New activity is concentrated along the east side of England (Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire), with additional development in Shropshire and north of the border for layers.

However, regions like Wales and Herefordshire are essentially closed to new developments, with planning frozen due to Natural Resources Wales policies and nutrient neutrality rules respectively.

In Herefordshire, the fallout from a court ruling classifying manure as waste remains largely confined to that local authority’s policy framework — although campaigners are using it as ammunition elsewhere.

Jake and Tom raise the growing influence of well-organised anti-lobby groups, whose tactics and PR strategies can amplify local objections.

Ian acknowledges their presence but argues that such campaigns often overstate their impact.

Even in cases where judicial reviews have succeeded — such as the recent one in Shropshire — the outcomes are typically technical adjustments rather than blocks to development.

Ian stresses that well-prepared, environmentally robust applications are still succeeding, particularly for replacement of old buildings with modern equivalents.

In England at least, planning authorities are still accepting arguments for betterment, especially where new builds reduce emissions and meet higher environmental standards.

The episode closes with a reminder of the strategic importance of the poultry sector to UK food security and health.

A must-listen episode for poultry producers, integrators, and stakeholders navigating the intersection of agricultural growth, regulation, and environmental responsibility.

👉 Visit harrisonpick.co.uk [https://harrisonpick.co.uk/] to contact Ian Pick and his team.

👉 Subscribe to the Poultry Network Podcast and sign up to the Poultry.Network newsletter at poultry.network [https://poultry.network/]

E5 The Poultry Planning Landscape With Ian Pick

Talking Turkeys with Paul Kelly

In this episode of the Poultry Network Podcast, Tom Willings and Tom Woolman welcome Paul Kelly, managing director of Kelly Turkeys, renowned for producing the slow-grown, high-welfare KellyBronze turkey. 

Paul shares insights on the turkey sector’s evolution, the challenges it has faced in recent years, and what the future holds - including exciting plans for a major milestone in 2026.

🔧 Challenges in the Sector
Paul reflects on a turbulent few years for turkey producers, describing a “perfect storm” of Brexit-related labour shortages and avian influenza. 

Post-Brexit, many of Kelly’s experienced seasonal workers felt unwelcome and didn’t return, creating a lasting challenge. Avian influenza hit hard in 2022, costing Kelly Turkeys over 87,000 birds and testing the resilience of their operation.

💼 Why Turkey Still Matters
Despite setbacks, Paul remains a vocal advocate for turkey farming as a profitable diversification option for mixed farms. He emphasises the unique advantage turkeys offer: being able to process and sell directly from the farm gate - without needing licensed abattoirs. 

While AI and generational changes have discouraged some small producers, he believes seasonal turkeys remain one of the highest-margin products available, especially when paired with community engagement and direct sales.

🎄 Creating a Christmas Experience
Paul explains how Kelly Turkeys has turned turkey collection into a festive event. Customers now associate collecting their Christmas bird with the start of the holiday season, thanks to mulled wine, sausage rolls, and even Santa Claus at the farm. He sees this as more than marketing—it's about building loyalty and tradition across generations.

📜 2026: 500 Years of Turkey in the UK
Kelly Turkeys is preparing to mark a historic moment: 500 years since turkeys were first brought to the UK by explorer William Strickland in 1526. 

Plans could include a documentary hosted by Jimmy Doherty, retracing historical turkey drover routes to London and celebrating the bird’s cultural importance beyond the Christmas table.

🥩 Turkey Beyond Christmas
Paul argues that turkey is undervalued in the UK. In contrast to countries like Russia - now Europe’s second-largest turkey producer - UK consumption remains seasonal. 

Russia has built its turkey sector by positioning it as a premium, versatile alternative to red meat, with cuts like turkey steaks. Paul believes the UK should reposition turkey similarly.

📣 Speaking Up for the Industry
Paul urges the sector to embrace media openness. He recounts years of engaging with journalists to educate them on practices like artificial insemination, arguing that transparency builds trust. 

In contrast, reluctance to engage leads to suspicion and fuels negative narratives. He applauds producers who install viewing galleries in new poultry units, giving the public an unfiltered look into modern poultry farming.

🌐 Final Thoughts
Paul's passion and humour shine throughout, from world records for turkey plucking and carving to calling on the industry to step forward as advocates. As he puts it, “If you're not willing to show your customer what you’re doing, you have to ask why.”

🎧 Listen Now
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in poultry farming, consumer engagement, or how one farmer with flair is keeping turkey at the heart of British agriculture - every day of the year.

E4: Talking Turkeys with Paul Kelly

In this episode of the Poultry Network Podcast, hosts Tom Willings and Tom Woolman reflect on a pivotal fortnight for the UK poultry sector.

🔹 Major Industry News: Hook2Sisters Sale

The episode opens with analysis of the landmark announcement that Hook2Sisters, the long-standing 50/50 joint venture between PD Hook and 2 Sisters Food Group, will be fully acquired by the Boparan Private Office—the investment vehicle of Ranjit Singh Boparan.

 * This marks consolidation in the broiler supply chain.
 * PD Hook will continue to operate a hatchery business, focusing on the independent market.
 * Tom Willings gives a historical overview of the venture, which began in 2006 to secure chick and broiler supply chains for both companies.

🔹 Egg Sector Shake-Up

Attention then turns to a flurry of mergers and acquisitions in the egg sector, which, although smaller in scale, signal significant change:

 1. Noble Foods acquires Just Egg, enhancing their processed egg capability.
 2. Hardeman Group (Netherlands) takes over Bumblehole Foods, bringing a large European player into UK processing.
 3. The Griffiths family announces a joint venture with French firm Eureden, expanding processing ambitions beyond fresh shell egg.

These moves reflect an evolving focus on value-added egg products and defensive strategies to maintain customer relationships and production viability.

The hosts reflect on low per capita egg consumption in the UK compared to Europe, and opportunities to expand “egg occasions” through product innovation.

🔹 What’s Ahead: RSPCA & Industry Events

Upcoming discussion points and events include:

 * RSPCA Welfare Standards Updates:1 July: RSPCA Member webinar on new laying hen standards.
   8 July: RSPCA attending the West Country Layers Association meeting in Cullompton.
   
 * Poultry Network Live:Taking place on 4 September at Harper Adams University.
   

 E3 Hook2Sisters, mergers and acquisitions in the egg sector, and the RSPCA reaches out

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.

Jake Davies

Shows