Ep 42: Live from the Pig & Poultry Fair 2026: Day One Reflections from the NEC

Tom Willings and Tom Woolman record a quick round-up live from the Pig & Poultry Fair at the NEC, reflecting on a busy first day at the show. They discuss the buoyant mood across the poultry sector, the energy around the stands, the value of catching up with people across the industry, and the importance of listener feedback for shaping future podcast episodes.The conversation also covers the social side of the event, future guest possibilities, Women in Poultry’s growing presence, and a special mention for Nick Bailey as he marks 30 years in the industry.In This EpisodeTom and Tom discuss:The atmosphere at the Pig & Poultry Fair 2026A renewed sense of optimism across the poultry sectorThe buzz around the NEC and the effort exhibitors have put into their standsCatching up with previous podcast guests and industry contactsFeedback from listeners and the importance of different perspectivesEncouragement for more people across the industry to come on the podcastPlans for day two of the showThe growing visibility of Women in PoultryA nod to Nick Bailey’s 30 years in the industryKey MomentsThe episode opens with Tom and Tom reflecting on how tiring, but valuable, the first day of the fair has been. They note that the mood around the poultry end of the show feels notably positive, with businesses investing in strong stands and plenty of people seeming optimistic about the state of the sector.They also talk about the importance of using the podcast as a platform for the industry. After receiving feedback from listeners at the show, they encourage anyone with a story, business, product or perspective to get in touch and consider joining a future episode.The pair also look ahead to the second day of the fair, with plans to spend more time visiting stands, speaking to people in more detail and catching some of the talks and presentations.People and Organisations MentionedPig & Poultry FairPoultry NetworkEgg BaseHy-LineCrediton MillingRosehillAviagenElancoABNWomen in PoultryNick BaileySponsor / Event InformationMuck Management UK takes place on 3–4 June 2026 at Bodrhyddan Hall, North Wales. The event showcases manure handling, spreading and storage, with live working demonstrations and a practical conference programme. Visitors can expect more than 40 exhibitors, live machinery demonstrations and sessions covering organic manures, storage infrastructure, slurry separation, application techniques and air quality.The live demonstration schedule runs three times each day:9:00am–11:15am11:30am–1:45pm2:15pm–4:30pmFeatured machinery and brands mentioned include Vervaet, Vredo, Bauer, Holmer, Richard Western, Strautmann, Vogelsang and Future Grass Technology.The Pig & Poultry Fair discount code is valid until 21 May. Use code:PIGPOULTRYFAIRBook tickets at muckmanagement.com.