Top line up of speakers announced

For the 2021 online forums we have a great line up of speakers from across the supply chain, some you will know well and others we rarely hear from, but all are guaranteed to provide you with valuable information and ideas for your business.

Topping the bill will be the ever popular Poultry Meat Outlook, enabling producers to hear from industry experts from across the supply chain. The panel will include Sophie Throup from Morrisons, David Neilson from Avara Foods and producer Jonty Hay. Each will outline what they see as the challenges and opportunities ahead, followed by a panel discussion.

Brian Kenyon, Senior Nutrition Manager from ABN will be chairing the outlook, who believes after the difficult year poultry has had, there is room for cautious optimism. “When the UK went into lockdown last year the hospitality sector shut down overnight, with a huge impact on wholesale. Now, the industry is watching to see what happens next. Where will the demand be? Will people eat out again or continue to eat in the home?”

Discussions are likely to revolve around sustainability and changing welfare demands, predicts Mr Kenyon. “We need to strike a balance in terms of setting targets and what the industry can realistically achieve.” New Red Tractor standards might include compulsory windows in poultry sheds and lower stocking rates, while retailers will likely be looking at net zero and replacements for soya in poultry diets.

Photos: Sophie Throup, Jonty Hay and Danny Johnson

Later in the day Patrick Nicholls from Hubbard Breeders will be focusing on the right genetics for success with the slower growing bird, while producer Charles Bourns will speak from experience and share some on farm management tips.

In the final forum producers can get an insight into the welfare and performance benefits of on-farm-hatching. Hear from Erik Hoeven from Nestborn how it works, while producer Tom Wornham will be speaking from experience on farm, having seen welfare improvements and more importantly consistent performance. Chaired by Jake Davies from Poultry Network.

Photos: Erik Hoeven and Jake Davies

See the detailed programme and find out more about the speakers here

Overview of Poultry programme

09:00    Poultry Meat Outlook 

  • Danny Johnson, ABN (Chair)
  • Sophie Throup, Morrisons
  • David Neilson, Avara Foods
  • Jonty Hay, Hay Farms

10:00    Success with the slower growing bird  

  • Patrick Nicholls, Hubbard Breeders
  • Charles Bourns, Producer and NFU Poultry Board Member

10:45    On Farm hatching for welfare and performance 

  • Jake Davies, Poultry Network (Chair)
  • Erik Hoeven, Nestborn
  • Tom Wornham, Poultry Producer

The Online Forums take place on Wednesday 12 May 2021. They are free to attend and open to everyone in the poultry supply chain. To find out more and secure your place register now