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Building the future of Livestock Protection with Jack Hughes

Can you tell us about your role and the key responsibilities you manage on a daily basis?

As a Biosecurity Advisor, my main role is to work hands-on with customers to develop contingency plans, assess farm biosecurity risks, and recommend practical solutions. This includes evaluating what’s working, identifying areas for improvement, and tailoring approaches to fit specific needs -because what works in one shed might not work in another.

I ensure farms are secure by preventing biosecurity breaches, nothing harmful comes in, and nothing spreads out. A big part of this is creating clear emergency response plans, cleaning and disinfection guides, and a comprehensive “encyclopaedia” of site details.

This helps farms respond quickly during investigations by having all critical information – like bird numbers, shed details, and visitor logs – readily available, saving time and stress.

Additionally, I stay updated on global trends in biosecurity and work on improving digital tools to make them more user-friendly and impactful. My goal is to provide producers with tools they may not have even realised they needed, helping them stay ahead as the industry becomes more digitally driven.

How did you get into this line of work, was it always part of your career plan?

I got into the poultry industry straight out of school – it wasn’t a career choice but seems to be a family tradition. My mum, brother, and cousins worked on the local egg farm, so I followed suit. I started with basic tasks like walking birds, picking up mortality, and collecting floor eggs, and I gradually took on more responsibilities, from stockmanship to delivering and selling eggs, working in the packing station, transporting and vaccinating birds, and eventually managing my own site and I never looked back. When I was managing a site, I started getting audited by the RSPCA and The Lion Code, I thought, Maybe I could bring a practical perspective to this side of the industry. That led me to a role with NSF, where I audited across The Lion Code scheme – covering everything from hatcheries and feed mills to breeder farms, egg packing stations, and even farms in Europe.

After that, I joined Eggbase, a data processing company that helps farmers track production data like egg counts, mortality rates, and more. It was a natural transition when the opportunity at Livetec came up, it tied together everything I’d done: farm work, auditing, and data management. This diverse experience helps me understand the practicalities of farming – what really happens day-to-day, how busy farmers are, and the mindset on the ground.

Now, I’m able to use that understanding to offer meaningful advice, and I truly enjoy the role I’m in.

 

What does a typical day look like for you, and how do you prioritise your tasks?

A typical day depends on whether I’m out on a farm or in the office. If I’m visiting a farm, it usually starts with an early morning and a long drive – sometimes 2-5 hours depending on the location. I make it a point to arrive at a time that works best for the farmer. On-site, I usually begin by reviewing paperwork, which varies depending on whether it’s a new or existing customer. Then, I like to walk around the farm while asking questions – it’s more natural, and farmers often answer without feeling pressured. Afterward, I provide feedback on what’s working, areas for improvement, and practical recommendations.

The goal is to make improvements without adding unnecessary costs—just because something looks good doesn’t mean it works effectively.

If I’m not visiting farms, my day starts with checking our dashboard for wild bird outbreaks. I monitor the locations of my customers and notify them if there’s an outbreak nearby, helping them review and reinforce their biosecurity measures. Beyond that, I focus on supporting my team and following through on other tasks as needed.

What’s the most challenging part of your day, and how do you handle it?

I don’t see my days as challenging because everything is resolvable. If an issue arises, I lean on my team; we collaborate, discuss options, and work things out. As we move further into digital solutions, having an in-house digital team makes it even easier to address problems or innovate quickly. We’re here to help farmers, not argue or create conflict. If a producer disagrees with something, we have a conversation about why they feel that way and what I can do to support them. It’s all about working together. As a team, we’re open to feedback and willing to admit when we’re wrong.

At the end of the day, the goal is to listen to the customer and ensure we are meeting their needs and securing their business enterprises.

 

‘a biosecure farm is a healthy farm which means a productive and profitable farm’.

How often do you work with your team or collaborate with other departments?

I collaborate with my team and other departments every day.

Each morning, we have a ‘Knowledge Hub’ team meeting to discuss our plans for the day and offer support if needed. We’re a small but highly knowledgeable team, and we’re always ready to help each other. I also work closely with other departments, especially marketing and the digital team. We rely on marketing to ensure we’re sharing the right information and to guide how we communicate it. With the digital team, collaboration is essential as they build tools based on our expertise. We always keep the end user in mind, ensuring the platform is practical and effective for them. Although we have distinct roles and departments, we function as one business.

Without collaboration, we’d never stay aligned.

How do you balance work, family, and personal interests throughout the day? Do you take breaks, prepare for the day, or unwind in a particular way?

I don’t follow a set schedule for breaks, it depends on whether I’m out on a farm or working from home. I don’t usually take time to recharge during the day, but I managed a spin bike session at lunch when I couldn’t fit it in this morning due to looking after my children. My mornings and evenings often revolve around school runs, and I try to stay active. I enjoy running, but a knee injury led me to switch to cycling for now. Once the weather improves, I’ll get back to running, I much prefer trails over roads. Being outdoors is important to me; whether it’s hiking or fishing, I’m happiest outside.

When work wraps up, my focus shifts to looking after my two children, so there’s not much time to unplug.

I have a real passion for the industry, much to my partner’s frustration at times!

Having spent 16 years in this field, my evening reading usually involves poultry science papers or industry updates rather than social media. Since I’m busy during the day, this is my time to stay informed and refresh my knowledge.

 

If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting in your field, what would it be?

My advice is, ‘Chase it with all you can!’

I never expected to work on an egg farm, but the poultry industry is vast and offers opportunities in many areas. As one of my teachers once said, ‘I knew you would end up somewhere like that.’ but if you’re dedicated, you can succeed. It’s a growing industry with a new generation coming in to innovate, learn from the past, and make a real impact.

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about your day-to-day work?

One thing people would be surprised to know is, ‘I am always on call when a farmer needs me.’

agriculture is 24/7, not just 9-5.

The public often doesn’t understand the complexity of agriculture; they see an egg or chicken in the store and don’t realise all the steps involved in getting it there. The responsibility falls on the producer or farm manager to ensure everything runs smoothly, not only from a financial perspective but also regarding sustainability, staff management, and the consequences if things go wrong. It’s important for me to be there to help when needed.

How do you see your role evolving in the future, and what excites you most about what’s ahead?

My aim is to ‘be the best person I can be’ and bring the best to the business, helping it grow. I want to raise awareness about what we do and make ourselves an essential part of the industry, not just needed but ‘wanted.’ I’m excited about continuing to innovate, especially with our digital platform, and staying ahead of legislation and regulations. Ultimately, I want to keep bringing biosecurity to the forefront of everyone’s minds because a biosecure farm is a healthy farm which means a productive and profitable farm.