A few months ago, Eggheads had the pleasure of running a booth at the PEAK Conference in Minneapolis. We met so many different folks working in the egg world, and felt so inspired by all of the incredible things we saw going on within the industry. So today, we wanted to sit down with one of the people who made it all possible. Lisa Henning is a board member for the Midwest Poultry Association, the body responsible for organizing the PEAK conference. She's also the Strategic Relationship Manager...
Jul 25, 2025•22 min•Ep. 30
Glenn Hickman is the president of Hickman's Family Farms, one of the largest egg producers in the southwestern US. You'd think that their location in the middle of the Sonoran desert, well outside the range of migratory birds, would keep them safe from outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). But that was unfortunately not the case. After taking root in a nearby dairy farm, HPAI spilled over into Glenn's facility. 80 years of continuous operation came to a screeching halt, and the ...
Jul 11, 2025•31 min•Ep. 29
Why are so few young people pursuing careers in the skilled trades? For Aaron Witt, the founder of BuildWitt, the problem is a lack of visibility. For too many young people coming out of high school, the trades just don't end up on their radar. And he knows that firsthand, because he was one of those kids. As a teenager, Aaron got a summer job working on a construction project in his hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona, and despite the sweltering heat, he fell in love with the industry. He's since o...
Jun 20, 2025•28 min•Ep. 28
Today, we return to our special 'Scramble' format, where some of our most trusted experts break down some of the most pressing issues facing the egg industry today. First up, Dr. Kay Russo joins us to talk about the current situation with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, and why the number of outbreaks has declined so dramatically in recent months. We also get into the HPAI situation in the dairy industry, the risk of spillover into nearby poultry operations and why the presence of the disease...
Jun 06, 2025•31 min•Ep. 27
We've talked before about how government policy has prevented the egg industry from using vaccines to fight Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. But if there was a policy shift tomorrow, and producers were given the green light to immunize their birds, what would that effort even look like? Where would the vaccines comes from? How would we know they're safe and effective? How much would they cost? And who would be expected to foot that bill? Joel Harris is the co-founder of Genvax. An economist by...
May 23, 2025•29 min•Ep. 26
This week on Eggheads , we're chatting with Dr. Ken Anderson, a long-time poultry scientist and a Professor in the Prestage Department of Poultry Science at North Carolina State University. Ken has been working with eggs since he was 6 years old, and his perspective is informed by a wealth of hands-on industrial and academic experience. One of his biggest contributions is a project called the Layer Performance and Management Test. It's a long running trial where different breeds of hens are rais...
May 09, 2025•29 min•Ep. 25
This week on Eggheads , we sit down with Mark Kellen, Executive Vice President at Daybreak Foods, to explore the mindset, skillset, and lived experience behind leadership in the egg industry. From his beginnings on a small family farm in Minnesota to overseeing operations across six states, Mark’s journey is rooted in curiosity, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to his team. We unpack what it takes to become a well-rounded general manager—from hands-on live bird work to managing budgets...
Apr 25, 2025•31 min•Ep. 24
This week on Eggheads , we sit down with Dr. Maurice Pitesky, veterinary epidemiologist at UC Davis and founder of AgriNerds , to explore how technology—think radar, satellites, and spatial modeling—is reshaping disease prevention in the poultry industry. His tool, the Waterfowl Alert Network, helps producers track wild bird movement in real time, offering a red-light, green-light system for assessing avian influenza risk. Maurice explains how biosecurity needs to expand beyond the barn, why dat...
Apr 11, 2025•35 min•Ep. 23
In this special roundtable edition of Eggheads , we bring back “The Scramble”—our unfiltered format where leading voices in the egg industry sit down to tackle the Avian Influenza chaos head-on. Host Greg Schoenfeld is joined by three experts at the forefront: Dr. Kay Russo, veterinarian and virologist, Brian Moscogiuri, egg market analyst, and Jacques Klempf, former egg producer and industry veteran. This conversation covers it all: the continued volatility in egg prices, the relentless spread ...
Mar 28, 2025•53 min•Ep. 22
Sustainability, animal welfare, and transparency—are they just buzzwords, or true commitments? This week we sit down with Sandra Vijn, Managing Director of Kipster USA , to explore how the company is rethinking the entire system—from upcycled feed to carbon-neutral farming. Kipster is aiming to redefine what ethical egg farming looks like. Sandra shares how Kipster’s model challenges conventional agriculture, why transparency matters (even when it’s not pretty), and the complex question of who r...
Mar 14, 2025•28 min•Ep. 21
Egg prices have been anything but stable in recent years, and behind every price shift is a complex web of market forces. In this episode, we sit down with Karyn Rispoli, Managing Editor of Eggs at Expana , to break down how egg pricing really works. From avian influenza outbreaks wiping out millions of layers to shifting market dynamics and the intricacies of price reporting, we explore why the egg industry is so volatile—and what that means for producers, buyers, and everyone in between. Karyn...
Feb 28, 2025•36 min•Ep. 20
The egg industry is changing, and at the center of that transformation is a bold mission: ending chick culling globally. In this episode, Greg sits down with Respeggt Group’s Silvin Faulstitch to explore how their groundbreaking in-ovo sexing technology is reshaping hatcheries. Respeggt’s approach has evolved from early research to a fully automated production line that allows hatcheries to determine the sex of eggs with 99.5% accuracy—all before they hatch! This innovation is more than just a t...
Feb 14, 2025•31 min•Ep. 19
What does it take to succeed in the egg industry? According to Mark Kleinsmith, it’s a mix of hard work, persistence, and sometimes… shaving your mustache to close a deal. In this episode, Greg sits down with Mark, a legendary industry salesman whose career spans decades of innovation, market shifts, and unforgettable negotiations. Mark shares wild tales from his time in the field, from 5:30 AM swim tests with clients to sealing contracts in an 80-foot treehouse. But beyond the stories, he offer...
Jan 31, 2025•31 min•Ep. 18
What does it take to keep a poultry farm safe from disease outbreaks? In this episode of Eggheads , Greg sits down with Jack Hughes , a biosecurity advisor at LiveTec Systems based in the UK. Jack shares his perspective on how proactive measures, innovative solutions, and a disciplined mindset can transform the way farmers protect their operations. From the risks posed by migratory birds to the importance of tailored solutions, Jack emphasizes that biosecurity is about more than compliance—it’s ...
Jan 17, 2025•34 min•Ep. 17
What drives a 22-year-old to take on the world of egg farming? In this episode of Eggheads , Greg sits down with Michael Jimenez, the founder and CEO of JMZ Farms . Starting with a single baby chick named Peaches in his mom’s backyard, Michael has grown JMZ Farms into a thriving pasture-raised egg operation. Michael shares how his entrepreneurial spirit and a high school business plan paved the way for his success. From navigating USDA organic certification requirements to scaling his operation ...
Dec 20, 2024•25 min•Ep. 16
Greg sits down with Ryan Bennett, Executive Director of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs and the International Poultry Welfare Alliance, to discuss his journey from public policy to driving sustainability in agriculture. With a career rooted in supporting farmers and improving industry practices, Ryan shares how he transitioned from lobbying in DC to leading initiatives that unify the supply chain around meaningful, data-driven progress. Ryan offers a behind-the-scenes look...
Dec 06, 2024•31 min•Ep. 15
Today, Greg Schoenfeld sits down with Danny Leckie, CEO of Hatch for Hunger , to learn about his journey from corporate agriculture to leading a mission-driven nonprofit. With roots in feeding people that trace back through his career, Danny shares how he transitioned from big agriculture to Hatch for Hunger, where he’s now tackling food insecurity by providing fresh, sustainable proteins like eggs to food banks across the country. Danny offers a behind-the-scenes look at Hatch for Hunger’s uniq...
Nov 22, 2024•29 min•Ep. 14
Today Greg Schoenfeld sits down with the "Queen of the Coop," Lisa Steele -- the fifth-generation chicken keeper behind Fresh Eggs Daily , to explore her unique path from Wall Street to the farm. Lisa shares how her family’s tradition of raising chickens, which traces back to Finland, influenced her shift from accounting to becoming one of the most recognized voices in the backyard chicken community. Lisa discusses into her work across cookbooks, a thriving blog, TV shows, and social media, all ...
Nov 08, 2024•27 min•Ep. 13
In the debut episode of The Egghead Scramble , host Greg Schoenefeld reconnects with industry experts Brian Moscogiuri, VP of Eggs Unlimited, and Dr. Kay Russo, a leading veterinarian, to tackle the most pressing issues facing the egg industry today. Together, they dive into the economic turmoil caused by recent avian influenza outbreaks, which have led to record-high egg prices and significant supply chain disruptions. The episode sheds light on the unpredictable nature of the virus, from its d...
Oct 25, 2024•20 min•Ep. 12
In this episode, we explore the cutting-edge of agricultural innovation with Robert Yaman, CEO of Innovate Animal Ag . A veteran of the tech industry, Robert is focused on in-ovo sexing technology, which addresses the significant issue of male chick culling in the egg industry. By determining the sex of a chick before it hatches, this technology promotes both animal welfare and sustainability. Robert explains how he applies a 'techno-optimist' philosophy to agricultural innovation, showcasing ho...
Oct 11, 2024•28 min•Ep. 11
In this episode, we dive into the bold gamble that changed the organic egg farming game. Cameron Whitehead, COO of Pete & Gerry's , shares the inspiring story of how a small family farm in Monroe, New Hampshire, went from the brink of collapse to becoming a trailblazer in the organic egg industry. In the 1990s, when 'organic' was still a rarity, Pete & Gerry’s made a daring move that saved the farm—and set them on the path to becoming a leader in the market. Cameron takes us through the ...
Sep 27, 2024•28 min•Ep. 10
Jacques Klempf is a true veteran in the egg industry, with a family legacy that spans three generations of egg farming. In this episode, we learn about his remarkable journey, starting with his grandfather’s humble beginnings as an egg candler, through his father’s entrepreneurial drive, and into Jacques' own leadership in the modern egg industry. We explore how Jacques embraced technological advancements, from inline processing systems to automation, which transformed his company into one of th...
Sep 13, 2024•33 min•Ep. 9
In this episode of Eggheads , Greg discusses the evolving role of poultry veterinarians with Dan Wilson, lead veterinarian and owner of Wilson Vet Co. Dan shares his unconventional path into poultry veterinary care, starting from his rural Indiana roots and leading to his impactful work and thought leadership in the egg industry. We explore the unique challenges of poultry health, including the importance of biosecurity, disease prevention, and the critical role veterinarians play in ensuring th...
Aug 30, 2024•30 min•Ep. 8
It's almost impossible to have a conversation about eggs without discussing the pressing issue of avian influenza. In this episode, we talk about its spillover into cattle populations with Dr. Kay Russo , a veterinarian from RSM Consulting. Dr. Russo shares her extensive experience in animal health, focusing on the critical importance of biosecurity and management practices in both the dairy and poultry industries. The discussion explores the mutation of avian influenza into cattle, its impact o...
Aug 16, 2024•37 min•Ep. 7
Greg discusses navigating the confusing world of nutrition advice with the "Guilt-Free RD" Melissa Joy Dobbins , a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator. They discuss the fluctuating dietary trends, the nature of nutrition research, and the role of critical thinking in making informed food choices. Melissa shares insights on the benefits of eggs, debunking the cholesterol myth, and the importance of enjoying food (without guilt). They also touch on the influence of sensational med...
Aug 02, 2024•34 min•Ep. 6
Greg sits down with Jason Jones , the former founding president of Vital Farms Inc, to explore the remarkable growth of one of the most recognizable egg brands. From humble beginnings at a farmers market to a billion-dollar company in 15 years, Jones shares the story of how Vital's pioneering approach to pasture-raised eggs, storytelling-based marketing strategies, and the importance of transparency and consumer trust. Listen to how Vital Farms entirely redefined industry standards in the egg wo...
Jul 19, 2024•35 min•Ep. 5
In this episode of Eggheads, Greg talks with Henry Arrowood, the founder and CEO of Farmshare , about the transformation of agriculture via direct-to-consumer practices. They discuss the challenges farms face in a commoditized market, the role of intermediaries, and how Farmshare is helping farmers build direct relationships with consumers. The conversation covers the logistical, marketing, and operational strategies Farmshare leverages to empower local producers, enhance transparency, and creat...
Jul 05, 2024•34 min•Ep. 4
Greg explores the complexities of the egg market with Brian Moscaggiuri, global trade strategist at Eggs Unlimited. Brian brings his extensive knowledge and unique journey within the egg industry to the table. Together, they unpack the science behind egg pricing, exploring wild market fluctuations as well as the impact of external factors like avian influenza and the transition towards cage-free egg production. The episode addresses consumer perception of egg prices and the broader conversation ...
Jun 21, 2024•35 min•Ep. 3
In this episode of Eggheads Greg speaks with Tara Vander Dussen , a fifth-generation dairy farmer and co-host of the Discover Ag podcast , who uses her background in environmental science to address misconceptions about modern farming. Greg and Tara discuss the complexities of the agricultural industry, focusing on the disconnect between consumers and food production. They talk about the importance of storytelling in agriculture, the challenges of 'factory farming' stereotypes, and the need for ...
Jun 07, 2024•35 min•Ep. 2
This episode of Eggheads explores the intersection of technology and leadership within the egg industry. Brandon Mulnix, director of commercial accounts at Prism Controls and host of the Poultry Leadership Podcast discusses his unconventional journey into the egg industry and the impact of technology in enhancing egg production and bird health. The conversation covers the specifics of control systems in poultry houses, the role of machine learning in egg counting, and the importance of environme...
May 24, 2024•31 min•Ep. 1
