Head Shepherd

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...

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 th...

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...

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 Ja...

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. ...

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 s...

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...

Our guest this week is John McKillop, and this episode is an inspiring listen. John has had an incredible career leading agribusinesses around the globe. 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 agricul...

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.  So...

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...

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...

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.  Throughou...

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...

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...

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 h...

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...

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...

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...

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. B...

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; sinc...

This week on the podcast we're switching up species and discussing cashmere goats with David Shaw. In 2017, David undertook a self-directed R&D project to see if he could ‘resurrect’ the cashmere industry. David found that New Zealand had some of the best cashmere fibre in the world. “We know our fibre is whiter and longer. Research indicates that the fibre from this part of the world is...

In this podcast, two genetics enthusiasts delve into IMF, methane, mature cow weight, immune competence and more, exploring the latest developments in livestock genetics and breeding strategies for Angus cattle. Yes that's right, we are heading back into the Angus world with Christian Duff, general manager of genetic improvement at Angus Australia .  As Mark puts it, Christian is "involv...

Have you ever wondered why some cattle thrive better through an unusually hot summer? Our guest this week, Dr. Raluca Mateescu, Professor of Quantitative Genetics and Genomics at the University of Florida, has been focusing on the impact of heat and climate on beef production in the southern regions of North America. Raluca and her team have been looking into how to breed cattle to handle increasi...

This week we're back chatting about Angus cattle with another great livestock producer with a passion for genetics. Born and raised on the family farm, Lucinda always knew she was going to be involved in the agricultural industry.  After growing up on a merino sheep property,  she gained a first class honours degree in Agricultural Science, followed by a formative time in the goat industry. ...

Welcome to the latest episode of the Head Shepherd podcast, where Ferg is chatting with Dr. Susan Robertson, a senior lecturer in ruminant production at Charles Sturt University. Susan has a wide range of research interests - from a PhD looking at staple strength in ewes, then delving more into pasture production, before transitioning into a full-time research role in 2016 with the EverGraze proje...