Episode Details

Recorded the day after the Pig & Poultry Fair — with hosts Tom Woolman and Tom Willings admittedly feeling the effects of a busy few days — this episode features Claire Wright, managing director of Clive Soanes Broilers and finance director of Soanes Poultry.

Claire joins the podcast to discuss how Soanes has remained a rare example of an independent, integrated poultry business, growing and processing its own birds while supplying customers nationwide, from high-end butchers and wholesalers to restaurants, foodservice and ready-meal businesses.

The conversation covers Claire’s route from accountancy back into agriculture, the company’s continued use of sexed birds, how Soanes produces a wide range of bird weights for different customer needs, and why agility, provenance and quality are central to the business.

Claire also discusses sustainability trials, including ammonia reduction and beans in feed, the importance of feed in the company’s carbon footprint, rising energy and input costs, labour challenges, the attraction of a four-day working week, and the company’s £2 million investment in refrigeration to improve processing efficiency.

This is a conversation about resilience, innovation and how a smaller poultry business continues to punch well above its weight.

This episode is sponsored by Jaques.

When you’re planning a broiler unit, every detail matters: bird welfare, ventilation, efficiency, biosecurity and long-term value. With more than 40 years’ poultry construction experience, Jaques designs and builds high-quality broiler housing tailored to your farm, your integrator’s requirements and the systems you need — from feeders and drinkers to ventilation, lighting and service control rooms.

Jaques delivers functional, cost-effective buildings designed with durability, efficiency and sustainability in mind. Jaques Broiler Housing: designed and built to last.

Visit jaquesint.com or call 01568 708 644.