Episode 25: Chickens, Choices and Checkout lines

In this episode of In the Coop, Charlotte Wall and Tom Lewis sit down with Maggy Watson, the newly appointed General Manager of the Feather Board Command Centre (FBCC). Maggy shares her vision for strengthening Ontario’s poultry biosecurity, how FBCC supports producers during disease outbreaks, and what tools and training are available to help you stay prepared. Learn about Rapid Response Teams, proactive planning, and why staying informed matters more than ever. For more information and resources, visit www.fbcc.ca.

Local Food Week Special Just in time for Local Food Week 2025, we’re cracking open an important conversation about how farmers can confidently engage with the public about poultry production. Our guest this week is none other than Janelle Cardiff—Field Operations Manager at Grey Ridge Eggs and Chair of Farm & Food Care Ontario. Janelle brings her passion for farming, her experience in egg production, and her leadership in public outreach to the coop. We talk about why public trust matters, how to tackle tricky questions from consumers, and simple ways farmers can share their stories—whether it’s at the farmers’ market, on social media, or around the BBQ. Whether you're a seasoned producer or new to public engagement, this episode is full of practical insights and encouragement to help you be part of the bigger conversation about Ontario-grown food. To learn more about Farm & Food Care Ontario, there resources and more; checkout their website! farmfoodcareon.org Show your support, and story during Local Food Week 2025. Tag your posts with #loveONfood To help you on your way to show your love for Ontario you can download posts from Farm & Food Care Ontario here: farmfoodcareon.org/download/local-food-week-2025  

🐔💻 Poultry farming meets artificial intelligence! 🎧 Listen now and see what’s possible. In this episode, I sat down with David Speller from @OptiFarm to talk about how artificial intelligence is already changing barns around the world — and what it could mean for your farm. We discuss how to get started, and what it can actually do for you. After this you will not only know more about aritifical intelligence, you will understand how it can integrate to make you great! Better bird health, faster decisions, more efficiency... the future is here. 🔥 Do you still want more? To find more information about OptiFarm, and their solutions with artificial intelligence powered precisions for every step of the supply chain - check out this link: https://optifarm.co.uk/our-ai-solution/

In this episode we will explore poultry manure insights with Christine Brown. She is the Sustainability Specialist – Field Crops, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA). We will discuss what makes poultry manure unique, and the strategies that will sult in the best use as well as profitability of your nutrients.    You may want to check out the Nutrient Management Act (2002), as well as the AgriSuite to help calculate the value of your black gold!   Manure Monday webinars are posted online by Field Crop News. There is one that directly addresses poultry, and could be a great place to start with their series. You can check it out on YouTube with this link: https://youtu.be/iiDSh0nxzCM?si=dTXBzdztkdInYq6k   We hope you enjoy this podcast!

In this epsidoe we will discuss the methods of deadstock management. Key themes will include the importancce of proper deadstock management, common deadstock disposal methods, and biosecurity best practices. Guest speakers include Al Dam, and Dan Ward from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. Al is the Provincial Poultry Specialist, and Dan is the Agricultural Engineer.  They will discuss the methods, and techniques of each method, as well as what you might need to be prepared to manage if you are choosing to invest in  a particular method. They will use their years of experince, and knowledge of the regulations to help you understand the pros and cons to options for your management of deadstock. Please feel free to check out the regulations for your self here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/deadstock-management-farm-animals-ontario

Tom Lewis and Charlotte Wall interview Michelle deNijs, from the Canadian Mental Health Association The agricultural community plays a vital role in ensuring Ontario has a healthy economy and local food security – supporting the well-being of all Ontarians. Their programs are tailored specifically for the Ontario agricultural community to provide for their well-being as well.  Listen to their podcast to find out how you can access resources, and support your community.  For more details check out their website: agriculturewellnessontario.ca To speak with Michelle, feel free to contact her at: [email protected]   

In this episode of In the Coop, we will talk about the business that keeps the operation moving! Farm Management Canada's Executive Director; Heather Watson, will share her experience and expertise. How Farm Management Canada has grown to support Canadian agriculture navigating challenges with resources and programs. The conversation will focus on collaboration, the future of farming and feature an annual event celebrating family farms. Farm transition appreciation day helps families begin the new year with a united plan and shared goals. We hope you enjoy this episode.  

This episode covers all things ventilation for a poultry barn. Our guest speakers is Bob Swayze. He is a poultry sales representative at Wallenstein Feed and Supply with a dynamic history in the industry. Bob is passionate about continuous learning, and has spent considerable time focused on ventilation. Bob shares what he has learned from the types of ventilation and how the size and design of barns can impact the results. He will dive into how technology has evolved to offer us more information and insight into managing your bans for optimal success! 

Hear what it takes to move research into the barn from Dr.  Doug Korver of University of Alberta. Originally recorded during the Research Impacts webinar 2020. 

We sit down with Dr. Lisa Bielke, a Poultry Enteric Health Researcher, from Ohio State University. Her main focus is on gut health but as you listen to this episode you'll realize that bacteria may be introduced through the gut but they don't always stay put and this can have major impacts on your flock's well being.