Eggheads

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 of avian influenza, the economic and emotional toll on farmers, and the controversial but potentially game-changing role of vaccination. Kay breaks down the scientific case for vaccines and what’s holding the U.S. back, Jacques gives a raw look at what it’s like to operate under constant threat, and Brian connects the dots on how market disruptions are impacting supply chains and consumers alike.

We’re in uncharted territory-- farmers are holding onto aging flocks, trying to stretch production. Replacement birds are hard to come by. Meanwhile, policymakers are stuck in neutral as the virus continues to burn. With over 50 million birds lost since October and a fractured industry response, the question becomes: how much longer can the system hold?

If you care about food security, farming, or just want to understand why eggs are so expensive (and nowadays often missing from store shelves), this is the episode to check out.

Please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you an egg industry pro? Reach out to be a guest on the show! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

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 really pays for sustainability. She explains how Kipster was designed around the needs of chickens rather than regulations, the challenges of bringing a European egg model to the U.S., and why regenerative and circular farming need to be part of the same conversation. 

Can Kipster carve out a new space in the American egg market? And will American consumers buy into their vision?

Please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you an egg industry pro? Reach out to be a guest on the show! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

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 sheds light on the challenges of market reporting, the common misconceptions about price assessments, and the balancing act of gathering accurate data in an industry where even a few cents per dozen can have massive financial implications. As she explains, price reporters like her aren’t setting the market—they’re reflecting it. As the saying goes, "Don’t shoot the messenger."

Please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you an egg industry pro? Reach out to be a guest on the show! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

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 technological leap; it’s a critical step in eliminating an inhumane practice while keeping the industry’s economic realities in focus.

Ending chick culling is no longer just an idea—it’s happening. And as more hatcheries adopt this approach, the industry is proving that ethical progress and business sustainability can go hand in hand.

Please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you an egg industry pro? Reach out to be a guest on the show! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

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 offers valuable insights into how the egg industry has evolved—from the rise of high-rise cage systems to the challenges of the cage-free transition. He also discusses the importance of building trust with customers, why fast response times are key to success, and how consolidation has reshaped the industry.

If you're in sales, agriculture, or just love a good business story, this episode is packed with hilarious stories, hard-earned wisdom, and lessons from a career spent getting the job done—no matter what it took.

Please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you an egg industry pro? Reach out to be a guest on the show! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

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 about care, resilience, and protecting livelihoods. The conversation also explores the human side of farming, the growing demands of free-range operations, and the role of technology in shaping the future of biosecurity.

As a UK-based expert, Jack offers a unique point of view that adds an international lens to the biosecurity challenges we face. Whether you’re a farmer or just curious about what it takes to safeguard the food supply, this episode offers practical insights and thought-provoking discussion.

Please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you an egg industry pro? Reach out to be a guest on the show! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

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 with a subscription-based model, Michael provides an inside look at the challenges and triumphs of running a farm as a young hispanic person.

The conversation touches on the discipline farming demands, the value of transparency in the egg industry, and Michael’s vision for the future—including doubling his flock and exploring nationwide distribution.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or simply curious about the story behind your eggs, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical insights. Please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you an egg industry pro? Reach out to be a guest on the show! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

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 at how his team builds trust and transparency among farmers, processors, and retailers, using outcome-based standards to address challenges like greenhouse gas emissions and animal welfare. He explains how this collaborative, practical approach helps producers identify their strengths, set achievable goals, and continuously improve their operations. From tackling environmental concerns to aligning diverse stakeholders, Ryan’s insights shed light on the evolving role of sustainability in the poultry and egg industry.

If you’re curious about the intersection of sustainability and agriculture, you'll be interested in Ryan’s perspective on transparency, innovation, and progress within the egg industry. Please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you an egg industry pro? Reach out to be a guest on the show! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

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 unique model, which combines farm partnerships, innovative logistics, and cold storage solutions to address the economic and distribution challenges in delivering fresh protein to those who need it most. He explains how Hatch’s subsidy approach and close work with food banks and farmers enable more efficient, large-scale access to high-quality proteins, and why diversifying their offerings is key to future resilience.

If you’re interested in learning how nonprofits are rethinking food distribution, Danny’s insights into nutrition security, sustainability, and community impact are not to be missed. Don’t forget to rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you interested in being a guest on the show? Reach out to us on LinkedIn and Instagram and let's connect!

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 centered on the value of fresh, farm-raised eggs. She shares why she made the leap to focus on eggs over chickens, offering listeners her candid take on terms like “cage-free” and what the commercial egg industry could learn from more sustainable, hands-on practices. For those looking to deepen their knowledge or start their own flock, Lisa’s insights into creating healthy, humane, and productive chicken environments are invaluable. Plus, catch a preview of her latest projects, including a new cookbook and a fresh season of her TV show. 

Please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you interested in being a guest on the show? Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram and send us a message, and we’ll be in touch!