Episode Details

In this special episode of the Poultry Network podcast, Tom Woolman and Tom Willings are joined by two younger voices from the UK poultry sector: Ed Lanning, representing the broiler industry, and Callum James, representing free-range egg production.

The episode was inspired by a charity auction prize bought by Robert Lanning at the Southwest Chicken Association Christmas dinner, giving him the opportunity to help set the topic for the podcast. His chosen theme: where is the poultry industry heading, and what do the next generation of poultry producers think the future will look like?

The discussion covers the major forces likely to shape broiler and egg production over the next decade, including automation, artificial intelligence, data use, labour availability, changing genetics, consumer education, food security, imports, climate change, renewable energy and farm resilience.

Key themes from the episode

1. The future of labour and automation on poultry farms

Ed and Callum both expect technology to reshape daily farm work, but not to remove the need for skilled stockpeople.

They discuss the growing role of AI cameras, robotics and automated monitoring systems that can detect changes in bird behaviour, identify emerging welfare issues and provide real-time alerts before problems escalate.

For laying farms, Callum highlights the potential for camera systems to spot early signs of floor eggs, smothering behaviour or other flock-management challenges. For broiler units, Ed sees major potential in real-time data from optical and infrared cameras, as well as future tools such as automated dead-bird detection and collection.

The consensus is that the stockperson’s role will evolve from purely physical shed work towards a more data-led, technical and management-focused role.

2. AI, data and real-time decision-making

Data emerges as one of the strongest themes of the episode.

Both guests believe that the poultry industry already collects huge amounts of information, but has only begun to realise its full value. Ed notes that broiler sheds can generate dozens of readings every week, yet there is still much more that could be extracted from that information.

The discussion points towards a future where AI and machine learning help producers find patterns, predict problems, optimise performance and improve welfare outcomes.

Tom Willings frames this not as simple evolution, but as a potential revolution in poultry production.

3. Robotics and new technology on farm

The conversation also explores practical uses for robotics, including:

• Automated shed walking and dead-bird collection
• Robotic pressure washing systems
• Camera-based biosecurity monitoring
• Lone-worker safety tools
• AI-assisted flock behaviour monitoring
• Automated grading and egg-packing systems

Ed mentions seeing a robotic pressure washer demonstrated at a trade show, capable of washing layer and broiler sheds, including nest boxes, floors, drinkers and feeders.

While the technology is developing quickly, the guests agree that challenges remain, especially around cleaning, disease risk, robotic durability and ensuring new tools genuinely support stockmanship rather than replace it.

4. Genetics: broilers, layers and future performance

The episode looks at how breeding progress may shape poultry production over the next decade.

On the broiler side, Ed discusses the continuing role of the Ross 308 as an efficient, fast-growing bird suited to affordable protein production and food security. He also reflects on the place of slower-growing breeds such as the Hubbard Redbro, particularly within higher-welfare and premium-market systems.

On the egg side, Callum expects furth