Head Shepherd
Episodes
Two lambings by 24 months - the success factors with Dr Andrew Thompson
04 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we are providing a recording of Associate Professor Andrew Thompson from Murdoch University. Thommo, as he is better known, presente...
Ferg's thoughts: making a genetic plan and implementing it
26 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We started this podcast with three episodes of Ferg sharing his perspective about genetics. We thought it was time to hear more of his thoughts, a cou...
Breeding biologically efficient livestock with Ross Richards
19 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Head Shepherd podcast we have Ross Richards of Romani Farms, Taumarunui, New Zealand.Ross farms in a fairly challenging environment. ...
The global potential of wool, with Monica Ebert
12 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Head Shepherd podcast we have Monica Ebert.Monica has been involved with sheep her entire life. She grew up on a stud farm in North E...
Numnuts® – the Benefits of Pain Relief for Lamb Marking
05 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast we have Robin Smith, a Product Design Engineer and creator of Numnuts. Numnuts is a device that simultaneously castrates or t...
Good farming is no secret! With Dayanne Almeida
29 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Head Shepherd Podcast we have Dayanne Almeida aka The Sheep Nutter. Dayanne isn't from a farming background, but through her Ani...
Staying curious rather than critical with St John Craner
22 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Head Shepherd podcast we have St John Craner, rural sales and marketing trainer, owner of Agrarian and Kellogg scholar.The podcast ...
Hemprino™, where heritage meets innovation
15 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, Mark catches up with the three co-founders of Hemprino™; Siobhan O'Malley, Paul Ensor and Harriet Bell. As the nam...
The marriage between management and genetics with Darren Gordon
08 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Head Shepherd Podcast, Mark catches up with a long-term colleague and friend, Darren Gordon. Darren is a sheep nutrition and breeding...
Taking ownership of your story with Sarah Perriam
01 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to the Head Shepherd Podcast! To kick off season 7, we have the wonderful Sarah Perriam on to chat about her extensive media career and p...
Season 6 Q&A with Dr Mark Ferguson
11 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As with our previous seasons of Head Shepherd, we're finishing off season 6 with a Q&A episode with Mark Ferguson.We'd like to thank eve...
Agtech is not always about making money.
03 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Head Shepherd podcast we have Jock Lawrence, creator and founder of Mobble.After returning home to the family farm in Victoria Austra...
Create an industry you want to farm in, with Renée Hogg.
27 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Head Shepherd podcast we have Renée Hogg of Inside NZ.Renee grew up wanting to go farming, and always had a vision to "Create a...
Protecting sheep from Campylobacter with Allflex and MSD Animal Health
20 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Head Shepherd podcast, we're joined by Steve Kelly, Commercial Identification Manager at Allflex, and Kim Kelly, Veterinary Tech...
Painting a picture of the sheep of the future with Johan Greeff
13 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast we have an hour-long special for you! Mark caught up with Dr Johan Greef, an expert in production and disease traits in Merin...
A Scottish shearer, shepherd and scanner, with Ryan Maclean.
06 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Head Shepherd podcast we have Ryan Maclean, based in North West Scotland. Ryan and Mark met through a mutual friend and sheep scanner...
Checking udders and reducing lamb wastage with Anne Ridler
27 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Head Shepherd podcast we have Anne Ridler chatting to Mark about ewe wastage and checking udders post-weaning.Anne Ridler is an assoc...
Winning with Wagyu. 2022 Zanda McDonald award winner (Aus)
20 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sticking with our Zanda McDonald theme, this week on the Head Shepherd podcast we have Australia's 2022 award winner, Charlie PerryCharlie grew u...
The role of a Livestock Breeding Consultant with Henry Hickson
13 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Head Shepherd podcast we have Henry Hickson, our Livestock Breeding Consultant in Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia. Henry grew on a mixed ...
Healthy staff, healthy business with Rhys Roberts - 2022 Zanda McDonald award winner (NZ)
06 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rhys Roberts is Chief Executive and Director of the Align Group, who operate 7 farms, a market garden, and are vertically integrated with a yoghurt br...
Sheep genetics, a wealth of knowledge with Bronwyn Clarke
31 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Head Shepherd podcast we have Bronwyn Clarke chatting to Mark about her career in agriculture, the research she's currently invo...
Young livestock manager on a path to success.
23 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Head Shepherd podcast we have Jack Devlin, 2IC of Bonavaree, Marlborough NZ.Jack spent several years working around New Zealand worki...
Farmer, shearer and entrepreneur, with Karol Devaney
16 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to Season 6 of the Head Shepherd podcast. We have a fantastic line up of guests for you this season and we can't wait to share their...
Season 5 Q&A with Dr Mark Ferguson.
19 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As with our previous seasons of Head Shepherd, we're finishing season 5 out with a Q&A with Mark Ferguson.Mark answers questions received fro...
A young leader in livestock. A conversation with Rozzie O'Reilly of LambPro.
12 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Head Shepherd podcast, we have the wonderful Rozzie O'Reilly. Rozzie is from Narrandera, NSW, Australia, and currently works as ...
Farming kiwi sheep in the UK with Robert Hodgkins.
05 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Head Shepherd podcast we have Robert Hodgkins, a British sheep and arable farmer. Robert and his partner Jo farm about 45 minutes no...
From Merinos to Shrimp with Emeritus Professor Herman Raadsma
30 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we have Emeritus Professor Herman Raadsma on the podcast. Herman's career started by accident- after training, he received a job opport...
Components of a Thriving farm business, with Andrew Kennedy
22 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Head Shepherd podcast, Mark catches up with long-time friend, Andrew Kennedy. Mark and Andrew worked together back in 2001 at the sta...
Insights of a sheep pregnancy scanner, with Daniel Wheeler.
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Mark chats with Daniel Wheeler, sheep scanner and sheep fanatic.Daniel has scanned over 6.5 million sheep in his time as a scanner, a career...
Why, or better still, why not? Farming at Waikaka with Ross Paterson.
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On the Head Shepherd podcast this week, we have Ross Paterson of Waikaka Genetics, Southland NZ. Ross is fifth generation at Waikaka Station. The fami...
Farming for the future at Bog Roy Station
31 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast, Mark Ferguson chats with Gundy (David) Anderson and Angus Fraser, of Bog Roy Station. Gundy and Lisa Anderson are fourth g...
Talking teasing and the role of the brain in sheep reproduction with Graeme Martin
25 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Mark Ferguson chats with Emeritus Professor Graeme Martin about the role of the brain in sheep reproduction and how teasing works. Graeme h...
Breeding sturdy sheep, with Kate Broadbent.
17 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Mark catches up with Kate Broadbent, president of Coopworth Genetics and is stud farming in the Waikato, NZ.Kate spent 20 years chasing shee...
How does your farm work? with Dr Richard Shephard of Herd Health
11 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we change tracks a little and catch up with Dr Richard Shephard of Herd Health, a specialist animal health company which Richard founded in ...
A lifetime's agri-business experience with Shane McManaway.
03 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we have the fantastic Shane McManaway. Shane is Chair of PPP, Chair of the Wiararapa Development Group, among many other things. From sprayi...
How is "AgTech" going to change your business? with Sarah Nolet.
27 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to Season 5 of the Head Shepherd podcast. We have a fantastic season lined up for you, and we're starting with a bang!Sarah Nolet is...
Head Shepherd Live: Q&A with Dr Mark Ferguson (Recording)
12 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to the 50th episode of Head Shepherd! This week we hosted a live Q&A where Mark answered your questions. This is a recording of that ...
Breeding for twins in cattle with Leo Cummins
05 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Mark chats with Dr Leo Cummins of Byaduk North, Aus.With the world favouring environmental efficiency, why is it that we don't breed ca...
Combining data and joining forces at Black Box Co.
30 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Black Box Co is the brain child of Shannon Speight and Emma Black who both have backgrounds in the beef industry and have both won the Zanda McDonald ...
Scaling Success with Richard Scholefield
23 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Mark chats with Richard Scholefield of Whangara Farms, Gisborne NZ on this weeks Head Shepherd podcast. Whangara Farms comprises of 7 farms, making up...
Breeding for success with Dawson Bradford.
16 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Mark catches up with long-time friend, Dawson Bradford. Dawson started off in pigs, and bought some sheep to 'keep himself entertained&...
Cropping and livestock enterprise south of Marnoo
09 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Wallaloo Park is a family-owned and managed business located south of Marnoo in the Wimmera district of Victoria. The business operates a 3500ha mixed...
Global networking in Agriculture.
02 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We are delighted to have had the chance to catch up with Laura Ryan. Laura is the founder and global Chair of Meat Business Women which launched in 20...
Former All Blacks player with a passion for livestock
26 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Richard Loe, a former All Blacks player with a passion for livestock joined us this week on the Head Shepherd Podcast. Loe's family farm, Glenloe...
Diversifying your farm business with Middlehurst Delivered
19 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sophie and Lucy, who grew up at Middlehurst Station for the past 20 years, have had the absolute privilege of bringing Middlehurst Delivered to life. ...
Running up the learning curve with Russell and Ricky Luhrs
06 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Luhrs family farm near Cavendish in Western Victoria. Ricky and his wife Marni farm with Russell, Ricky's dad. They have two speeds, flat...
Taking the highs and lows out of agriculture, with Brendon Savage
27 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Head Shepherd podcast Mark speaks with Brendon Savage from Western Australia. Brendon has a great insight on soils and pasture after ...
Trial and change with Todd Burger.
21 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to the Head Shepherd podcast. This week we have Todd Burger from the Western Districts of Victoria. Todd farms his merino sheep a little ...
Why productivity matters, with Professor Bill Malcolm.
14 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to Season 4 of the Head Shepherd podcast! We'd like to say thank you for all of your support in the past and we cannot wait to share...
Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture. Introducing Genesmith.
18 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For our final episode of Season 3, we are excited to discuss Genesmith, a startup within neXtgen Agri.Mark catches up with Ian Harris, Electronics a...
Q&A with Dr Mark Ferguson.
10 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Head Shepherd podcast, we decided to offer the mic over to you to answer your questions. We put a call out on various social media pl...
Drought drives determination with Moojepin Merinos.
03 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Mark first came across Moojepin Merinos, a Merino stud near Badgebup in the Great Southern Region of Western Australia, fifteen years ago whilst looki...
Julia Jones, a glass half full.
25 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Julia Jones shares her optimistic outlook on the future of the Agriculture industry this week. Julia grew up on the West Coast of the South Island of ...
Fat animals create flexibility, with Chad Taylor of Mumblebone Merinos
18 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Mark catches up with Chad Taylor of Mumblebone Merinos, of Wellington, NSW, Australia.Both Chad and Mark are fans of putting maternal trait...
Success through perseverance with Georgina Gubbins.
10 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of the Head Shepherd podcast, Mark catches up with Georgina Gubbins. Georgina is not only a passionate red meat producer, but is also ...
Export Markets. Selling venison in China with Hunter McGregor.
04 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Hunter McGregor gives us a great insight to the Chinese meat market this week. Hunter has been in China for fourteen years and now runs a New Zealand ...
A gold medal mindset.
28 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Mark catches up with Jill Hill of Benambra. After following her fathers footsteps to rowing, Jill reached the World Championships in Greec...
Family Farming with the Kealys
21 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Mark catches up with Tony, Elise and Bernie Kealy of Curlew Merinos, Edenhope, Victoria. The Kealys are a great example of successfully na...
Aussie science and the global cattle industry
12 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Lachlan Campbell is the CEO and co-founder of ProAgni, their moto is “Improving Farm economics today. Ensuring farming’s sustainability tomorrow.&...
White Suffolks on Kangaroo Island.
07 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we hear from Andrew and Jamie Heinrich of Ella Matta, the first registered White Suffolk stud in the world. Based on Kangaroo Island, which ...
How to run your farm more efficiently, with Jana Hocken
03 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to the start of Season 3 of the Head Shepherd Podcast!Our first guest this week is Jana Hocken. Jana is a Lean consultant with more than ...
15 minutes with Steve Cotton.
26 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bonus Episode! Today we're quickly catching up with Steve Cotton, founder of Dynamic Ag. We discuss his PhD in internal parasites, starting up hi...
Using EID to make better on farm decisions
09 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we feature the role of EID in making more informed decisions within a sheep business. We hear from Steve Kelly, Commercial Manager a...
Breeding a point of difference with Tom Bull.
20 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
"Why cant we have $140 cutlets?" Tom Bull speaks to Mark this week about the future of the sheep meat industry and how LambPro is hoping to ...
Rob Hewett, a man of many hats.
15 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week I had a conversation with Rob Hewett, a man who is involved in the primary industries at many levels: production, processing, exporting and ...
Sheep farming in Canada with Sandi Brock
14 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we caught up with Sandi Brock of Ontario, Canada. Sandi walks us through her indoor sheep production system, explains why and how she became...
A career’s worth of understanding of feed efficiency in just 30 minutes with Prof. Wayne Pitchford
10 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A great 30 minute discussion with Professor Wayne Pitchford of Adelaide University covering hybrid vigour, how he changed his views on feed-use effici...
Turning grass into money with Nigel Kerin
30 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Nigel and Kate Kerin own and operate Kerin Agriculture, which comprises a trading enterprise as well as a Merino ram-breeding operation. Their focus i...
The rise and rise of sustainable and ethical wool production with Willy Gallia
14 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Willy Gallia is the part of the third generation in his family to be involved in the textile industry. He grew up in Argentina and is very passionat...
The importance of telling wool's story with Elisabeth van Delden
05 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week I had a conversation with Elisabeth van Delden that we are both sharing on our podcasts. Elisabeth provides support to wool businesses aroun...
34 minutes that every farmer needs to hear - an interview with Ken Solly
08 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ken Solly has a lifelong passion for helping farmers be the best version of themselves that they can be. This podcast contains some great tips from ...
Breeding in the fast lane with Alistair Campbell
02 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
One of the privileges of our roles in neXtgen Agri is the opportunity to learn from the experience of others. Alistair Campbell is a passionate sheep ...
The opportunities in beef genetics and related topics with Jo Scott
22 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are delighted to have Jo Scott on the show. Jo grew up on a farm in Otago, South Island, NZ. She has recently finished up after 7 years w...
"There's no place I'd rather be" - Sheep and cattle breeding with Will Gibson
14 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to Head Shepherd. It is great to be back with Season 2. For the first episode of season 2 we have featured Will Gibson. Will works with...
The heritability of hope - part 3 of 3 - Farming with the perfect animals for you?
09 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This is the third part of this series. What exactly do you want to produce? What are the traits that you most want to improve? How do you decrease t...
Gene edits in livestock with Alison Van Eenennaam
01 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week I am joined by Dr Alison Van Eenennaam, Cooperative Extension Specialist in Animal Genomics and Biotechnology with the University of Califor...
From the city to the cows with Jo Newton
25 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode it is my pleasure to host Dr Jo Newton, Research Scientist with Agriculture Victoria. Jo has recently been awarded a Medal of the Or...
Tim Leeming and achieving industry leading lamb survival with precision lambing.
21 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we bring you an interview with Tim Leeming. Tim and Geogie Leeming run Paradoo Prime near Pigeon Ponds in South-west Victoria. They run ...
Sheep reproduction - the path to prosperity with Russ Davis
11 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I interview Russ Davis from who after serving in the armed forces returned to the sheep industry to find not that much had changed. ...
Flies, worms and lifetime productivity with Geoff Lindon - AWI
04 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we ask Geoff Lindon about the genetics portfolio at AWI. We focus on the work completed on flystrike and worm resistance and discuss...
Fitness versus production and a journey of learning with Andrew Bouffler - Trigger Vale sheep studs
28 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we interview Andrew Bouffler. Andrew, his wife Mandi and their three children farm near Lockhart in Southern NSW. Around 13 years ag...
Triplets, energy and everything in between with Sarah Blumer
20 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Sarah Blumer leads us through some of the exciting research she is involved with at Murdoch University in Western Australia. Sarah shares t...
The story of ZQ wool with Dave Maslen
13 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I talk to Dave Maslen who works at the New Zealand Merino Company. Dave works directly with many of the customers of NZM which are som...
The heritability of hope - part 2 of 3
07 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This is the second in our three part series called The heritability of hope.This episode focuses on the hope that in 10 years time we will still be ab...
Breeding insights from Andrew Bendall
30 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Andrew Bendall is a kiwi that is currently on a 2 year contract in the Falkland Islands. He has spent his career in breeding, firstly in Romney shee...
The heritability of hope - part 1 of 3
23 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The first Head Shepherd podcast, this one is the first of a three part series titled The Heritability of Hope. In this episode, Mark Ferguson discus...