When the Ranger visited Myles Thomas he was less than two months away from becoming chairman of BFREPA and only six weeks ago he had placed a flock into his brand new laying house. And if they weren’t challenges enough he was also preparing to become a father for the first time! He was keen to discuss the benefits of a new multi-tier system he has installed, as well sharing his vision for BFREPA.
TC Thomas & Son
Myles Thomas and his family have been producing eggs on their farm in Shrewsbury Shropshire since 2006. The farm itself has been in the family since 1935 and prior to free-range egg production they had dairy cows. Another big change for Myles was the death of his father two years ago, as he had been actively involved in the business and came at the time he became BFREPA’s vice chairman. Following the expansion he has three units, housing a total of 48 thousand birds. TC Thomas & Son have always sold to packers and started supplying LJ Fairburn & Son Ltd in September of this year. Personally he feels that relationships with retailers are also important, although not easy to build. However, he is looking forward to a visit from Sainsbury’s later this year.
Powell & Co constructed the new building and Myles chose a Veranda Aviary system designed and installed by Vencomatic. “I’m seeing excellent results already,” he enthused. “Although it is still early days for the new flock, I’m very pleased with how the laying system is working. I was concerned about floor eggs but we are only seeing 80 a day – which is great.” On each of the two tiers hens have access to feed, water and nest spaces, with ramps connecting them to the scratching area. The design makes the most of the space available, whilst being easy to manage.
The new shed was designed with efficiency in mind. “In the long-term I’m hoping to save on feed,” Myles explained. With that aim in mind he was able to secure funding to help cover the cost of installing feed weighers. The grant from DEFRA paid for 50 % of the system as part of an initiative to improve efficiency in the farming and forestry sectors. The system allows Myles to monitor feed intakes, in grams per bird per day for each tier, simply by entering daily mortality.
Further efficiencies can be gained by the Clima+ equal pressure ventilation system that has been fitted in the new house. Supplied by Agro Supply in conjunction with Vencomatic, this was the first system of its kind to be installed in the UK. The system has been specifically designed for free range producers, to allow better climate control. In traditional ventilation systems, opening the pop holes reduces pressure in the house. As these systems rely on negative pressure the outside air is then drawn through the holes instead of the inlets as desired. The result of which is uneven house temperatures, ultimately affecting performance. This new system doesn’t rely on pressure differences, so ventilation efficiency is maintained whilst the hens are free to roam.
By creating an optimum environment within the house, benefits in health and therefore performance are expected. The manure belts have aeration tubes above them to help dry out the manure and reduce the build up of ammonia. Another feature is remote monitoring, allowing Myles to adjust the ventilation on his home computer or even his mobile phone. He is also alerted to any breakdowns or power failures straight away. “Even when I’m out and about on BFREPA business, I know what’s going on with the hens and can make any adjustments required,” he explained.
One of the main challenges Myles had with the new laying house was to make sure that the pullets would adapt to a system of different levels. To that end he worked closely with Country Fresh Pullets and the Howett family to ensure the birds were robust enough. “The ability to add ramps and raised sections to the rearing barns, was of great benefit to us,” said Myles. “It meant that the pullets were used to jumping up and settled quickly into the new house.”
The future for BFREPA Myles has been vice chairman of BFREPA for the last two years and was extremely pleased to be voted in as the next chairman. “I think we’ve done an awful lot as an organisation recently but there is still a lot of scope for improvement.” Myles cited a number of successful projects including, isotoping to determine egg origin and lobbying against the beak trimming ban. “I also believe that Robert Gooch single-handedly prevented some producers having to retrofit perches,” he stated. The Love Free Range Eggs site has also been a very positive initiative to raise awareness of free range production as well the benefits of eating eggs.
When asked how he has found the experience of working for BFREPA Myles was very honest. “Any time on a committee is a challenge after working for yourself. Learning to work with others is enjoyable but demanding.” And just as relationships within the organisation and with members are important so are those with other industry stakeholders. Myles stated that one of his aims was to work more closely with feed producers, pullet rearers and particularly packers.
“Packers, in many cases, are our customers and they market our products. Therefore, it is very important to have a good relationship and effective communication.” However, he added that it must be a transparent and equal relationship.
In terms of challenges there are many that the new BFREPA chairman will have to face in the coming years. Myles highlighted several bird welfare topics, which will need to be addressed in addition to the proposed beak-trimming ban. He suggested that, the disposal of male chicks in hatcheries and keel bone fractures will be next on the list. Evidence will have to be gathered, opinions sought and solutions proposed for each of the problems. “I also don’t think that all our members how much we are involved in lobbying government on these kind of issues.” As part of this process BFREPA are represented on the committees of BEIC, BEA, BTAG, Freedom Foods and the NFU. “It is this level of involvement with these organisations that enables us to make the views of British free range egg producer heard,” Myles explained.
In terms of welfare and the views of the general public Myles also highlighted the need of industry to maintain standards. “We can’t be complacent, we have created a great market for our eggs but we must keep to what it is to be free range.” Although customer perception of eggs is improving, Myles believes there is more to be done. “Eggs are a fantastic food, there is more and more research demonstrating their many health benefits. We need to continue to spread the word that eating eggs is good for you, so that our market continues to grow.”
Myles stressed the importance of developing and expanding BFREPA in order to move forward. “We already represent nearly one third of the UK laying flock but I would like to see that increase. I order to do that I think we need to offer more, so that membership is even better value for money.” One of the possibilities being investigated is providing specially tailored insurance services, similar the way NFU does. “We also need to focus on our PR and marketing, both to existing and potential members. There can be apathy among farmers but they need to understand that it’s organisations like BFREPA, which make a real difference to the future of the industry.”
In terms of his own business Myles says he will consolidate for the next couple of years before considering new plans. “I do have more ideas and I think you have to be progressive to be successful in this industry,” he emphasised. However, in the short term with his chairmanship about to start, a new laying system to manage and a baby on the way, Myles has more than enough on his plate. “It is a whole family commitment, I want to do the very best for BFREPA as chairman. I’m looking forward to new challenges but I don’t expect it to be an easy ride.”
