WWW.POTTERSPOULTRYUSA.COM +1 (479)-470-2113 [email protected] SUCCESSSTARTS HEREAVIAN INFLUENZA:THE LATEST UPDATEISSUE ONE: JUNE 2026 FAMILY FARMING SINCE 1934INSIDE: EXPERT TIPS FOR ASTRONG FLOCK STARTFOURGENERATIONSSTRONG:THE POTTERSPOULTRY STORYINSIDE: HOW AI TECHNOLOGYIS BEING USED TO TACKLEBIRD FLU
FROM A FAMILY FARMTO A SPECIALISTPOULTRY BUSINESSThe story began in themid‑1930s when WilliamPotter (see photo) rentedWood Corner Farm andbuilt a mixed enterprisewith a strong dairy focus.In the 1950s, his sons Ronand Ken (see photo)joined the business andbegan rearing pullets.Ingoude CompanyGeorgia Tech has landed $2M from theUSDA to develop an AI‑designed,probiotic bird flu vaccine — atreatment that could be mixed intofeed instead of injected into every bird.The idea is to use friendly, probioticbacteria to carry tiny pieces of the fluvirus. Once the birds swallow it, theirgut helps train the immune system torecognize and fight the real thing.This research comes at a time whenglobal animal‑health groups areencouraging HPAI vaccination as along‑term tool to protect flocks andavoid the heavy losses that come withmass culling. If this vaccine works, itcould offer farmers a low‑stress,flock‑wide way to boost protection.WWW.POTTERSPOULTRYUSA.COM +1 (479)-470-2113 [email protected] a 15‑year pause, we arepleased to relaunch our companynewsletter. Published twiceannually, it will provide updates onkey industry developments andshare news from across Potters.We welcome contributions andsuggestions for future editions.Please direct any correspondenceto our editor, Abigail Stacey, [email protected] POULTRY: A60‑YEAR STORY OFINNOVATION,INDEPENDENCE AND FAMILYLEADERSHIPAs one of the few trulyindependent pulletsuppliers still operatingin the UK, Potters Poultryhas spent decades atthe forefront offree‑range innovation.From pioneering aviarydesign to remaining theUK’s only manufacturerof laying nests, theCompany has built areputation for practical,farmer‑focusedsolutions. Today, Pottersis also a driving force inthe development of thecage‑free industry in theUnited States, bringingmore than 60 years ofexperience to a marketwhere standards are stillevolving.AI STEPS IN: A NEWPATH FOR BIRD FLUPROTECTIONWELCOME TO THENEW POTTERS POST
Ingoude CompanyBy the early 1960s, the dairyherd was sold so the familycould concentrate fully onpoultry. When suitablecages couldn’t be sourced,they built their own — thefirst step towards whatwould become W. Potter &Sons (Poultry) Ltd. Throughthe 1960s and 1970s, Pottersexpanded rapidly,developing rearing andlaying cages, partneringwith housing manufacturers,and introducing earlyautomation such as thePhantem controller and theCES Potters Auto Care eggcollection system. By theearly 1980s, Potters hadbecome a recognizedleader in cage systems,electronics, and rearinginnovation.GROWTH,MODERNIZATION AND ANEW GENERATIONThe 1980s and 1990s sawcontinued expansion, includingthe purchase of Arley LaneFarm and the development ofnew rearing systems. Justinand Olivia Potter joined thebusiness in the late 1990s (seephoto), bringing fresh expertisein engineering, farmmanagement andinternational development.Under their leadership, Pottersmodernized its rearingoperations, re‑established itsequipment division, andstrengthened its position in thefree‑range sector.By the 2000s, Potters wasrearing around two millionpullets annually andsupplying equipmentacross the UK andoverseas.The formation of PottersPoultry International in2008 marked a major stepforward, enabling theCompany to adapt itsBritish‑designed systemsfor global markets. A moveto new premises in Rugbyincreased capacityfivefold and supportedcontinued growth.RESILIENCE ANDEXPANSION IN ACHANGING WORLDThe Covid‑19 pandemic in2020 brought significantdisruption, but Pottersremained resilient —protecting staff,supporting customers andmaintaining productionduring a period of globaluncertainty.In 2022, Olivia relocated toRogers, NorthwestArkansas, aligning with themove of the US headoffice. Being based in theUnited Statesstrengthened relationshipswith customers,distributors and theexpanding US team.Leadership in the UKremained strong, withEmily Amelkova takingover the pullet division andbringing valuablehands‑on farm experience.Over the past 12 months, we’vewelcomed several new teammembers to our US pullet andequipment divisions, strengtheningour support for growers across theMidwest.Zeke Sayre and Ruben Stacey(Olivia Potter’s son) have bothjoined the pullet team, bringingvaluable hands‑on experience inbird management. Their combinedknowledge will be instrumental intheir roles as Pullet Technical Salesand Support Managers, workingclosely with growers in Missouri,Arkansas and Kansas.We are also delighted to welcomeAnthony Harman back to Pottersas our Operations Director. With 30years in the poultry industry andextensive expertise in cage‑freepullet rearing and egg production,Anthony’s leadership will be amajor asset to our team, growersand customers.Our US administration team hasalso expanded and now includesAbigail Stacey (Olivia’s daughter),Yevette Whittesley, and WendyJarvis, strengthening our customerservice and office support.On the equipment side, Eli Cashhas joined us as Project Supervisor,overseeing all equipmentinstallations and ensuring wedeliver projects on time and to thehighest standard.A 60-YEAR STORY (CONT.D) STAFF CHANGESWWW.POTTERSPOULTRYUSA.COM +1 (479)-470-2113 [email protected]
A TEAM BUILT ON LOYALTYAND EXPERTISEPotters’ success has alwaysbeen driven by its people.Long‑serving team memberssuch as Operations ManagerTracey Coleman (see photo),who celebrated 26 years withthe Company, and HenryRoss (see photo), who hasdedicated more than 50years to Potters, exemplify theloyalty and expertise thatdefine the business.In 2023, Ron Potter sadlypassed away, yet his legacylives on through the nextgenerations and thecontinued growth of thebusiness he helped build. Hiswords still guide the business:“A lot of the basic problemsare similar to those we facedover 50 years ago; we justnow have greater knowledgeand are better equipped todo the job.”A GLOBAL BUSINESSSince establishing asecondary base in the UnitedStates, Potters has continuedto grow its network of farmsacross the Midwest andstrengthen its internationalpresence.A 60-YEAR STORY (CONT.D)In April, the Potters Poultry team hada productive week at PEAK,reconnecting with customers andmeeting new industry contacts. Weappreciate everyone who visited ourbooth.Potters was also represented at theIncuba Forum Group Meeting inIndonesia, where Richard Mackie andLoic Gault presented AviSteam®(featured on the next page).In May, we attended the bi‑annualPig & Poultry Fair in Birmingham,engaging with existing customersand introducing new producers toour pullets and equipment.This summer, we are also welcomingour first agricultural student intern —an initiative we hope to continue infuture years.Today, the Companysupports customersthroughout Europe, theMiddle East, South EastAsia and emergingmarkets in Africa, backedby an expandingdistributor network.Potters Poultry is nowrecognized worldwide forits automatic nests, aviaryand multi‑tier systems,enriched cages, rearingsolutions, plastic slats,feeders and drinkers —equipment trusted for itsreliability, welfare benefitsand performance.The fourth generation ofthe Potter family is alreadycontributing to thisgrowth. Ruben Staceyoversees US farmoperations alongside ZekeSayre, supported byAnthony Harman, who hasrejoined the business.Abigail, Olivia’s daughter,works in US marketing andsocial media as part ofthe administration team.With strong familyleadership, a loyalworkforce and a globaloutlook, Potters Poultrycontinues to build on itsheritage while preparingthe business for thedecades ahead.POTTERS UPDATESTHANK YOU FOR READING...That brings us to the end of our firstissue. If you would like to includeanything in our next edition, pleaseemail our editor, Abigail Stacey, [email protected] PULLETS EQUIPMENTPotters Poultry Inc.Potters Poultry Inc.,2001 N 13th St, Ste 102Rogers, AR, 72756Tel. +1 (479)-470-2113Email: [email protected]: www.potterspoultryusa.comContact Details
INDUSTRYNEWSINTRODUCING AVISTEAM, THE NEW BENCHMARK INHATCHING‑EGG BELT HYGIENEAviSteam is a compact, portable dry‑steam systemdesigned to clean hatching‑egg belts at the point ofcontamination — without ever affecting the eggs. Usingonly tap water, the unit converts it into high‑temperature,low‑moisture dry steam, applied directly to the beltbefore eggs reach the collection point.The steam targets the belt, not the eggs, ensuring nowetting, no temperature shock, and no impact on shellintegrity or embryo development. This process breaksdown organic debris and exposes bacteria to lethaltemperatures, achieving up to a four‑fold reduction inbacterial load during nearly two years of developmentand 40 weeks of commercial trials.By lowering contamination on the belt — rather thantreating the egg — AviSteam reduces the risk of bacteriareaching the shell, supporting higher, more consistenthatch rates.With no chemicals and minimal water use, AviSteamdelivers cleaner belts, stronger biosecurity, and improvedhatchery efficiency, all while keeping every egg fullyprotected.NEW INDUSTRY TECHNOLOGYSCAN THE QR CODEOR VISIT THE POTTERSPOULTRY YOUTUBECHANNELTO SEE THE AVISTEAMIN ACTION!ORGANIC FARMING CURRENT EGG MARKETUPDATESThe National Organic Program hasproposed updates to the U.S. NationalList, including allowing carbon dioxide incrop production, approving meloxicamfor livestock pain relief, removing limitson methionine in poultry feed, andclarifying how sodium nitrate may beused.Public comments closed on May 22,2026, and with this article publishing inJune, readers are encouraged to checkfor updates to see how these proposalsmay have evolved as stakeholderscontinue shaping future organicstandards.USDA’s latest inventory report shows egg suppliesfinally starting to ease after months of heavypressure. Total shell egg holdings dropped 7.2% in asingle week, slipping just below the five‑yearaverage for the first time this year.Cage‑free stocks also saw a sharp pullback, andbreaking stock inventories fell nearly 8% belowaverage, signalling that the worst of the springoversupply may be easing.Stronger retail movement, seasonal foodservicedemand around Mother’s Day, and a noticeableuptick in exports — including 250 loads shipped inApril — are all helping clear product. While suppliesare still generally adequate, the market is showingits first real signs of tightening and stabilizing.