In this week's podcast, discover how optimising soil health is your key to farming profitability. We're joined by Melinda Turner from Farm Nutrient Advisory, a specialist in the fields of animal science, soil and plant sciences. Melinda brings a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to this complex subject.  Melinda discusses some of the common challenges in nutrient management. It's such a vast topic and, with many 'snake oil' sales people out there, it’s no wonder many farmers find it...

Our guest this week needs little introduction. In this episode, Ferg catches up with Jamie Ramage, a passionate individual in the agricultural industry. Ferg and Jamie begin with one of their favourite topics: maternal efficiency.  From there, the conversation covers the evolving landscape of sheep breeding, especially the shift towards composite sheep. We also dive into the ProBreed programme and glimpse into the future of sheep breeding in terms of shedding, wool and health traits, as well...

This week Mark is chatting to fellow podcaster, Oli Le Lievre. Raised in Sydney, Oli’s connection to agriculture was sparked by his family's farming roots in western Victoria, "I'm a city boy who fell in love with agriculture," he says.  Oli, in his own words, “attempted” university twice, which changed his trajectory in the industry. “I began to gain exposure to the agribusiness and agriculture value chain aspects,” he explains. “I still had a deep love for farming, but the intricate...

This week on the podcast, Mark chats with Hayley Purbrick, a key figure at Tahbilk Winery, one of Victoria's oldest and most esteemed wineries. Hayley, a fifth-generation winemaker, has spent a decade transforming the winery's environmental policies, achieving an impressive feat of carbon neutrality. She is an advocate for understanding data, transforming it from a burden into a tool for efficiency and sustainability. We delve into various topics, including her latest venture focusing on...

Dr David Notter spent 25 years looking into the seasonality of breeding sheep and how to reduce it via genetic selection. We are very lucky to have him as a guest on the podcast today to share his wisdom on all things sheep breeding. In 1977, the American Sheep Industry Association identified a pressing challenge: reducing seasonality in ewe breeding. Virginia Tech became the base for this research, where they aimed to create a flock of sheep capable of breeding throughout the year. They...

This week on the podcast, we introduce our newest team member at neXtgen Agri, Phoebe Eckermann.  Phoebe's journey into agriculture is anything but ordinary, from a city slicker in Adelaide to being captivated by livestock shows, to owning her first cattle, it's been non-stop. Her deep love for animals led her to carve her niche in the beef industry and embark on an adventure with a herd of Limousin cattle. Phoebe's unique pathway into agriculture shows that there is no one-size-fits-all...

In this week's podcast, we're talking a whole lot about testicles! Our guest, Professor David Lindsay, shares his passion for the biology of reproduction and optimising ram usage on-farm.  David was at the University of Western Australia in the 1960s, a time when the region was experiencing significant land clearance. The Department of Agriculture recognised the need for a lecturer in the reproductive physiology of sheep to address the increasing demand for sheep. He took up the role and...

In today's episode, we have James Cusack, a fifth-generation farmer and Corriedale breeder hailing from south-west Victoria. While James grew up on a farm in Western Australia, he spent time completing a diesel mechanic apprenticeship before returning to farming in Victoria. James explains, "I was always told I had to do something else, so becoming a diesel mechanic was a practical skill to have. It's come in handy in various ways, but ultimately, my heart was in farming." Now located in...

This week on the podcast, our guest is Jacob Wolki, owner of Wolki Farms and a 24-hour contactless butcher shop. Initially, Jacob took over his father's hobby farm to provide his family with fresh eggs and beef, in a shift to a healthier lifestyle and better-quality food . "I've always been plagued with skin issues and respiratory allergies and stomach issues my whole life,” says Jake. “And my wife, who's very conscientious and very healthy, said, well, maybe it's time to stop stuffing...

In this week's podcast our guest, Chris Meade, shows that anything is possible with a strong will and a clear vision.  Born and raised on a farm, his initial dream of becoming a veterinarian was set aside after his father died tragically and Chris ended up in the building industry. At the age of 23, Chris began what is now known as CMTP, a prominent name in the Australian packaging industry.  How his enthusiasm for cattle is woven into this story comes later.  Beginning in the backyard of...

This week we have Ella Holland, National Territory Manager at PBB (Performance Beef Breeders), on the podcast to discuss how you can make better heifer selection decisions.   "PBB was established back in 1996 by Angus New Zealand and NZ Hereford. They saw a gap in the market and they wanted to create a company that would be a one-stop shop for the beef industry and provide them with all the services and products studs needed, and also create a unified voice for the beef industry," explains...

No matter what country you visit, each will always say that they produce the best sheep. But, up until recently, we didn't have a fair comparison of sheep genetics between countries. That's where Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority of Ireland, and our guest this week, Dr Noirin McHugh, come in.  Both Ireland and New Zealand have grass-based systems with an emphasis on export markets. In Ireland, their breeding objectives are similar to those in New Zealand, centring on...

Our guest this week is esteemed agribusiness leader, John McKillop, and this episode is an inspiring listen. John has had an incredible career leading many agribusinesses around the globe and, as Mark puts it, “If there's a big name in ag that you haven't worked for, I'm not sure who they are.” From his beginnings on a family farm in western NSW to leading global corporations, John's journey in the agriculture sector offers valuable, and often humorous, insights. His career is a testament...

Our guest this week is Dr Sonja Dominik, a research scientist specialising in sustainability indicators at CSIRO in Armidale.  Sonja's career began with an undergraduate degree in Germany, majoring in animal breeding and genetics. Her passion for genetics led her to undertake research work in Australia, where she developed a deep appreciation for the country, its people and its livestock.  Sonja moved to Australia to complete her doctoral studies, looking at genotype x environment...

This week on the podcast we have Cara Brosnahan from Beef and Lamb NZ (B+LNZ) discussing the latest research being done to gauge the prevalence and impact of facial eczema (FE) in New Zealand. As the global climate shifts, the disease is migrating further southward, causing new challenges for regions and livestock previously unaffected. B+LNZ are trying to understand the spread and severity of the disease, with the aim of devising effective strategies to manage it. North Island farmers will...

Breeding a balanced sheep is no easy feat. But with a head for numbers and a great mindset, our guest this week, Alan Rissmann, is doing just that. With the business tagline 'We breed sheep to work for you, not make work for you', it's no surprise that Rissmerino breeds sheep for higher welfare traits and reduced workload. In his conversation with Mark, Alan dives into the 'why' behind this. "In the industry, there's been this perception that sheep are hard work and they just have to be...

Tune in to hear Dr Nicola Lambe and Dr Mark Ferguson discuss sheep genetics, methane emissions and their intersection with climate change.  With an impressive 25-year career at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Nicola brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our listeners. From her beginnings as a poultry research assistant, Nicola is now a teacher and project manager at SRUC.  Throughout her career, she has played a crucial role in CT scanning work in Scotland, helping farmers breed...

This week Nicola Peddie shares her insights into the wool industry, the power of sustainable innovation, and the potential for personal growth when you put your mind to it. Born and raised on a sheep and beef farm in New Zealand, Nicola's passion for wool came from a black and coloured stud flock her mother ran. "From a young age, I used to prepare the wool with Mum and become naturally very fond of it," she says. Nicola gained her wool-classing ticket, but found it difficult to find a run...

Lamb survival is always a hot topic, especially as producers increase their scanning percentages and improve their feeding practices, leading to more multiples. This week on the podcast we have Dr. Amy Lockwood, whose research has focused on lamb survival - from paddock size to feed availability. In this conversation with Dr. Mark Ferguson, Amy shares the findings from her PhD research on mob size and lamb survival, illustrating how producers can reduce the size of their lambing paddocks,...

Maximising the potential of the grass you grow is a critical component of pasture-based agriculture; doing it well is what separates the good farmers from the great.  In this episode of the Head Shepherd podcast, we discuss this and more with Michael Gooden, an Angus seed stock business expert and a champion of sustainable cattle farming practices. Michael hails from NSW, Australia, where he and his family have taken a unique, future-focused approach to their Angus seed stock business. They...

Are we aware of where our food comes from? What about the subtle complexities in our food production systems? Join us as we get a fresh perspective on this and more from Jill Griffiths, a science writer, journalist, and author.  Her recently launched book, "What's for Dinner?", dives into how our food is grown and our role as food-eaters. With a mix of science, history, and personal stories, she takes us on a fascinating journey to meet the plants, animals, and people who make our meals...

Do you vaccinate your livestock correctly? Do you read the label every time? Is your fridge at the correct temperature to store the vaccine? Today we're discussing gold star vaccination protocol with Kim Kelly, a Veterinary Technical Advisor from MSD Animal Health. Mark and Kim discuss the common pitfalls people often stumble into when administering vaccines. These range from improper storage to incorrect administration and dosage. Kim lends us her expertise in avoiding these errors and how...

Our guest this week, Robynne Anderson, is an authority on global agricultural and food policy. Robynne grew up on a farm and started her career in agricultural publishing. After selling her first business and taking a short break to contemplate her next move, she founded Emerging Ag Inc. Robynne realised there was a lot of talk about 'food security', but very little understanding of what it takes to grow, share, and distribute food.  "Clearly, there was a gap between what we in the farming...

This week, we have our first lawyer on the show, Pat Barrett. He is both a lawyer and farmer in Wagga Wagga, Australia. Pat grew up with a passion for agriculture with friends and family involved in the industry and studied Agribusiness and Law at the University of New England with the intention of using the degree in a management position. “I never thought I was going to be a lawyer,” says Pat. But, after an interview planned by his mother with a local lawyer, Pat found himself shaking...

This week on the Head Shepherd podcast we’re heading back over to the US to speak to Brad A. Freking, a research geneticist in the Livestock Bio-Systems Research Unit, Clay Center in Nebraska. Originally, Brad grew up on a small mixed farm. Brad's first connection to genetics came when he went to study at university, working on beef cattle efficiency. Brad then went on to work with pigs; since 2016, he has been devoted entirely to sheep research. Brad currently works in the Livestock...