Farming
Free-range firm moving to top of the pecking order
THE country's largest supplier of
free-range eggs is recruiting more
producers.
Noble Foods supplies millions of
eggs each day to major retailers and
expects demand to grow by up to ten
per cent this year.
Demand for free-range chickens
and eggs has been boosted recently
by high-profile campaigns and programmes
involving celebrity chefs.
Noble has already made significant
investments in free-range eggs
on its farms and is now running
a recruitment campaign, which is
aimed at present and potential producers.
John Holt, contract supplies manager,
said: "Despite higher feed costs
that have absorbed some of the increase
in producer prices, free-range
egg production is still one of the
most profitable parts of farming and
demand is expanding."
He said free range can be added to
a range of businesses - from small
mixed farms with other livestock to
large-scale arable units.
"And free range is one of the few
options for new entrants to farming.
There's no need for previous experience
in poultry," he said.
Noble Foods is based in Tring,
Hertfordshire, but has a team of
eight regional field staff, who offer
technical advice on the site, buildings,
equipment and on getting planning
permission.
Mr Holt said: "Once production
starts, we offer a lot of support and
are in contact at least weekly in the
early days until all parties are happy
and confident.
Mr Holt said producers expanding
into a second or third flock have different
demands, but he encouraged
them to see what was possible as
there have been rapid developments
in buildings and equipment.
The company has packing and
technical product development sites
around Britain. It has already invested
£3.5m in the free-range sector
in the past 12 months.
An additional £4.5m has been
spent on an ultra-modern packing
centre in Lincolnshire, with further
developments in packing, processing
and the distribution chain
planned.
The company will be at the British
Pig and Poultry Fair, in Stoneleigh,
on May 13 and 14.
Mr Holt can be contacted on 01623-
870-384 or at john.holt@noblefoods.
co.uk
10:32am Tuesday 29th April 2008
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