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Head Shepherd

Mark Ferguson
Agriculture
Livestock Management
Lambex
Innovation
Sheep Farming
Animal Welfare
Ewe Wastage
Mental Health
Rumen Fermentation
Animal Health
Physical Fitness
Farming
Heat Stress In Sheep
Animal Nutrition
Brahman Cattle
Beef Sector Challenges
Livestock Production
Animal Science
Lactic Acidosis
Estimated Breeding Values

Mark Ferguson from neXtgen Agri brings you the latest in livestock, genetics, innovation and technology. We focus on sheep and beef farming in Australia and New Zealand, and the people doing great things in those industries. To learn more about neXtgen Agri, visit www.nextgenagri.com.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes254Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessScience

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Artwork for Head Shepherd

Latest Episodes

Thousands of you listen to the podcast every week, but we've come to realise many of you don't know exactly what we do here at neXtgen Agri. 

In this episode, Mark, our host and CEO, takes to the mic and chats about all things neXtgen Agri and the s... more

YouTube

Our guest this week is Vicky Alexandrou, co-founder of Woven Optics.

Over the past eight years, Vicky has helped design and build a handheld microscope that lets you measure wool fibre diameter right there in the yards or shed. 

Instead of waiting ... more

YouTube

What does leadership look like in agriculture today? For Felicity Taylor, Area Manager for Rabobank in Moree and a 2025 Zanda McDonald Award finalist, it’s about connection, community and supporting others to succeed.

In this episode, Felicity share... more

YouTube

What does it take to keep a sheep business moving forward? For our guest this week, Hamish Thomson of Moojepin Merinos, it’s a mix of genetics, management and never being afraid to try something new.

In the podcast, Hamish talks about the progress t... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Vicky Alexandrou
Co-founder of Woven Optics, a company focused on wool fiber measurement technology.
Woven Optics
Episode: On-Farm Micron Testing with Woven Optics
Felicity Taylor
Area manager for Rabobank and finalist of the Zanda McDonald Award 2025.
Rabobank
Episode: Leadership in ag with Felicity Taylor
Hamish Thomson
Sheep breeder and manager at Moojepin Merinos
Moojepin Merinos
Episode: Breeding better sheep at Moojepin Merinos with Hamish Thompson
Luke Chaplain
Founder of SkyKelpie, a company focused on drone technology for livestock management
SkyKelpie
Episode: Using Drone Technology in Ag with SkyKelpie
John McEwan
A researcher and prominent figure in sheep genomics in New Zealand.
AgResearch
Episode: The past, present and future of sheep genomics in New Zealand with John McEwan
Simon Coutts
Breeding program leader at Willara Merinos
Willara Merinos
Episode: Breeding a multi-dimensional, modern merino at Willera with Simon Coutts
Dr. Whit Stewart
Associate Professor and an Extension Sheep Specialist at the University of Wyoming
University of Wyoming
Episode: What can US sheep farmers learn from New Zealand's success? With Dr Whit Stewart
Jason Archer
Head of Genetics at Beef and Lamb NZ
Beef and Lamb NZ
Episode: Genetic Progress: Navigating trade-offs and opportunities with Jason Archer
Sharon Paterson
Sheep farmer with extensive experience in livestock breeding and management
Episode: Why Structural Selection Drives Long-Term Profitability with Sharon Paterson

Host

Mark Ferguson
CEO at NeXtgen Agri International and host who delivers insights into livestock and agricultural technology, focusing on sheep and beef industries.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 233 ratings
  • Review

    Thanks Mark, great show, always learn heaps. Cheers Steve

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    574636382
    New Zealand4 months ago
  • My favourite podcast

    Love the guests, stories, technical insights and everyday tips on how to build and improve your farm business. I also love genetics!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dale @ Redbank FX Rams
    Australia8 months ago
  • Informative, relaxed and incredibly relevant

    In Scotland and find the head shepherd podcast offers speakers with a huge knowledge and covers incredibly relevant topics! It’s relaxed style makes for an excellent listen! Truly first class

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JaStephen
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Outstanding Agricultural Leader

    Mark Ferguson and his amazing podcast craft an inspiring ongoing story of the amazing people involved in food and fibre production.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fannytangles
    Australia2 years ago
  • Thank you!

    This podcast particularly those episodes geared towards sheep production (which are most) are so informative I can listen all day tending our flock. His interviews with experts and leading research in the field is fascinating and a blast to listen to! Thank you for all your work and spreading such crucial information!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shepherdess in New England
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The engaging conversations on practical farming topics are frequently highlighted.
Many commend the podcast for its focus on innovation and advancements in agriculture.
The relaxed and informative style of discussions is well-received by audiences.
Listeners appreciate the high-quality insights and interviews with industry experts.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Spotify
#48
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#149
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#113
New Zealand/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Leadership in ag with Felicity Taylor
Q: As a still relatively young person in Ag, what's next for you?
Felicity hopes to continue balancing her career in banking with her personal priorities, ideally staying in a regional area like Moree.
Breeding better sheep at Moojepin Merinos with Hamish Thompson
Q: Who's the best human you've had the opportunity to learn from?
Hamish reflects on learning from his father, who has instilled innovative thinking and strength.
Breeding better sheep at Moojepin Merinos with Hamish Thompson
Q: What's the last thing you changed your mind about?
Hamish changed his mind about spraying grass out to let vetch dominate the pasture for better future cropping.
What can US sheep farmers learn from New Zealand's success? With Dr Whit Stewart
Q: What have you seen here that maybe surprised you most and things that might translate back into Wyoming operations?
Dr. Stewart highlights the valuable decision-making tools used by New Zealand producers and the collaborative spirit in their agricultural community.
Why Structural Selection Drives Long-Term Profitability with Sharon Paterson
Q: What does that shoulder got to look like?
It's important for lambing ease and the structural integrity of the sheep that we look for specific shoulder characteristics.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Head Shepherd

What is Head Shepherd about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the agricultural sectors in Australia and New Zealand, this podcast explores the latest advancements in livestock management, genetics, and technology, particularly in sheep and beef farming. With diverse guests ranging from researchers to farmers, the discussions highlight innovative practices, community engagement, and vital industry insights that shape modern farming. Episodes frequently tackle pressing issues such as animal welfare, genetic advancements, and sustainable agricultural practices, making it a valuable resource for those looking to enhance their understanding of the agribusiness sector and its future direction. The engaging format and expert guests ensure listeners gain practical knowledge applicable to their own... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Head Shepherd?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Head Shepherd:

1. Profitable Farmer
2. AgriCoach Wealth & Wisdom Podcast by The Financial Bloke
3. AgWatchers
4. The Yarn
5. Boots Off Log On!™

How many episodes of Head Shepherd are there?

Head Shepherd launched 5 years ago and published 254 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Head Shepherd?

Recent guests on Head Shepherd include:

1. Vicky Alexandrou
2. Felicity Taylor
3. Hamish Thomson
4. Luke Chaplain
5. John McEwan
6. Simon Coutts
7. Dr. Whit Stewart
8. Jason Archer

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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