The Poultry Network Podcast

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.

The Poultry Network Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 58 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts The Poultry Network Podcast, a business show with 58 episodes published.

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  Episode #54

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

  Aug 14, 202616 minS1

  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.

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  Episode #53

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

  Aug 7, 202624 minS1

  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 episode A revealing foie gras farm tour in southwest France Cultural differences in attitudes towards food and farming What ABN’s planned withdrawal means for poultry feed Environmental trade-offs between egg production systems Whether historic data reflects modern free-range performance Falling wholesale egg values and the potential impact on packers The challenge of balancing long-term contracts with a changing market A preview of Poultry Network Live 2026

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  Episode #52

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

  Jul 31, 202629 minS1

  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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  Episode #51

  Ep 51 | Amy Jackson; Farming Under Scrutiny: Campaigners, Reputation and Planning

  Jul 24, 202634 minS1

  Campaign groups scrutinising food and farming have become more professional, coordinated and technologically capable. How should farmers and agricultural businesses respond—and where does the industry need to improve? Tom Woolman and Tom Willings are joined by Amy Jackson , founder of Oxtail Communications and a research fellow at the University of Nottingham . Drawing on her experience in agricultural communications, issues management and academic research, Amy explains how campaign groups build simple, compelling narratives and use media, political influence, investor pressure and coordinated objections to advance their aims. The discussion examines areas in which agriculture has responded effectively, including antibiotic stewardship and the poultry sector’s work on Campylobacter. It also considers where a slower or fragmented response—particularly around water quality and nutrient management—has allowed criticism to gain momentum. Amy argues that campaigners are often most successful when they amplify concerns that already exist. Rather than becoming trapped in arguments over blame, the industry can strengthen its position by addressing legitimate weaknesses early, collaborating with other stakeholders and communicating clearly about the action being taken. The conversation also turns to planning applications, mass objections and the increasingly sophisticated use of digital tools by campaigners. Amy explains why the number of objections is not itself decisive, why robust evidence and environmental assessments matter, and how long-term relationships with local communities can help farmers establish trust before a contentious application is submitted. In this episode How agricultural campaign groups have become more sophisticated and coordinated. Why simple campaign messages can overpower complex, evidence-heavy industry responses. The growing personal and reputational pressure placed on individual farmers. Lessons from antibiotic stewardship and the poultry sector’s work on Campylobacter. Water quality, nutrient management and the debate surrounding the River Wye catchment. Why collaboration can be more productive than attempting to apportion blame. Stakeholder-led approaches to environmental policymaking. How planning authorities assess coordinated or template-based objections. The importance of material planning considerations and strong environmental evidence. How farmers can build trust and resilience through sustained community engagement.

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  Episode #50

  Ep 50 | Poultry vet Ian Lowery: The Unexpected Results of a Broiler Water Study

  Jul 17, 202645 minS1

  Water sanitation has become standard practice on many poultry farms—but does cleaner drinking water reliably translate into better bird performance? In the 50th episode of the Poultry Network podcast, Tom Woolman and Tom Willings speak to poultry vet Dr Ian Lowery , director of Crowshall Veterinary Services, about the findings of his doctoral research into broiler drinking-water hygiene. Ian’s study followed 16 broiler sheds over four production cycles , comparing untreated water with chlorine, silver-stabilised peroxide and non-silver-stabilised peroxide programmes. Water samples were collected before placement and at seven, 14 and 28 days, with the results matched against flock performance, mortality and antibiotic-use data. The sanitising treatments did what they were expected to do: they substantially reduced bacterial contamination, particularly during the birds’ first week. But the headline result was far less predictable. Across the trial, Ian found no statistically demonstrable improvement in feed conversion, daily weight gain, mortality, EPEF or antibiotic use between the sanitised and untreated groups. That does not mean water hygiene has no value. Ian explains why terminal cleaning, longer-lived flocks, pathogen control and protection against rare but costly “black swan” events may still provide a strong justification for sanitation. However, the findings challenge the assumption that an in-flock water treatment programme will automatically pay for itself through improved broiler performance. The discussion also explores: Why the poultry sector lacks an agreed definition of “clean” drinking water What conventional total viable count testing can—and cannot—tell producers How bacterial levels changed as birds grew and water flow increased Why peroxide appeared more effective in some early-life conditions Why chlorine performance may be affected by higher temperatures The limitations of applying one water-treatment programme to every farm Where further research is needed, including longer-lived poultry systems How producers should think about the cost, risk-management and assurance value of water sanitation The episode opens with a look ahead to Poultry Network Live on 3 September , including sessions on poultry health, business management and artificial intelligence.

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