GROUP REPORTS
POULTRY GROUP
Over the last 12 months, the Nuffield Poultry Group have had a comparatively quiet year for obvious reasons. However, we did meet via Zoom for our 40th AGM on 23rd May 2021 when Hannah Eastaugh and James Smaldon were congratulated on their presentations at the virtual mini winter conference. We were so impressed, we held our own mini conference giving the group an opportunity to question Hannah and James in more detail. The Chairman congratulated both scholars on their depth of knowledge and their adaption to Covid. Adrian Marshall, our new scholar, was welcomed to the group. We look forward to reading his report on “Can welfare expectations of consumers be met by the UK commercial egg sector in the short and long term?” as soon as CV-19 travel restrictions allow him to complete his travels and finish his report. Nick Chippindale and Sophie Edenborough retired as Chairman and Secretary respectively after serving their 3 year terms and were both warmly thanked for the professionalism and excellent stewardship in unique times. The Vice Chairman Mike Tyers was voted in as Chairman and Karen Simpson as Vice Chair. Simon Carlton took on the Secretary role and Claire Bragg continues as our exemplary Treasurer. The annual Farmer’s Club dinner was cancelled but the group hosted a virtual get together, for which the Chairman thanked Mark Williams for his excellent industry
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update and for facilitating a question and answer session. The group also hosted a Nuffield Webinar for which Mike Tyers gave a great presentation on “Preparing and Adapting for Success in a rapidly changing world’ (A Poultry Industry Perspective”). Both the Poultry Group 2021 Spring weekend and the Autumn tour had to be cancelled but on September 11th, courtesy of the ever generous Andrew Hignett, a Social get together was held at his house in Earlswood with 30 attendees. It was the first face to face meeting since the study tour held in New Zealand just prior to the cancelled Triennial in March 2020 and we were blessed with great food, company and weather. Those who can attend the up coming winter conference are planning to book a table(s) at the Thursday 25th November dinner. Simon Carlton
