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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
Farming
Physical Fitness
Animal Nutrition
Heat Stress In Sheep
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes282Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceBusiness

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Artwork for Head Shepherd

Latest Episodes

Bea Litchfield is Managing Director of Hazeldean, a sixth-generation family seedstock business running both Merino and Angus studs alongside commercial operations. 

Hazeldean is a large-scale seedstock business, and they produce around 600 Angus bul... more

YouTube

Join Mark and our guest this week, Dr Shane Thomson, to discuss some key points around reproductive performance in cattle. 

Shane is a veterinarian and partner at Holbrook Vet Centre in southern New South Wales, leading a team of 10 vets across a pr... more

YouTube

This week on the podcast, Professor Wayne Pitchford joins Mark Ferguson to discuss all things cow condition. 

Wayne has spent more than three decades at the University of Adelaide working across animal breeding, genetics and livestock production, an... more

YouTube

This week on the podcast, Mark (Ferg) catches up with Andrew Kennedy (Ox) and Darren Gordon (Cat) to reflect on their early years together as well as the career and influence of Dr Andrew “Thommo” Thompson. The episode is part of Podcasthon, supporti... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Wayne Pitchford
Professor, Adelaide University School of Animal and Vet Sciences
University of Adelaide
Episode: Fat, fertility and the genetics of cow performance with Professor Wayne Pitchford
Andrew Kennedy
Ox, researcher and project participant
Lifetime Wool/Lifetime E-management participants
Episode: Lifetime Ewe Management, leadership and the legacy that changed sheep farming, with Mark, Darren and Andrew [PODCASTHON]
Darren Gordon
Cat, researcher and project participant
Lifetime Wool/Lifetime E-management participants
Episode: Lifetime Ewe Management, leadership and the legacy that changed sheep farming, with Mark, Darren and Andrew [PODCASTHON]
James Starling
Core demo site participant, beef producer in Southeast South Australia
Episode: Using Genomics to Improve Heifer Selection in Commercial Beef Herds
Shannon Donoghue
South Australian Industry Relations Officer for Australian Wool Innovation
Australian Wool Innovation
Episode: Understanding the wool industry pipeline with Shannon Donoghue
Allan Richardson
Farming expert at Avalon Genetics focused on organic farming and sheep breeding practices
Avalon Genetics
Episode: 40 years of sheep selection lessons: worm resistance, longevity and performance with Allan Richardson
Jamie Heinrich
Chair of LambEx 2026
Episode: Why you can't miss LambEx26 with Jamie Heinrich
Angus Street
CEO at New Zealand Merino Company
New Zealand Merino Company
Episode: Leading The New Zealand Merino Company into its next chapter with Angus Street
Fred Gane
Owner of Kaituna Ridges, sheep farmer, and tourism operator
Kaituna Ridges
Episode: Breeding Romneys for the rain at Kaituna Ridges

Host

Mark Ferguson
Host of Head Shepherd; CEO at NeXtgen Agri International

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 239 ratings
  • Review

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    574636382
    New Zealanda year 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
    Australiaa year 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 Kingdom3 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
    Australia3 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.

Shows depth and practical insights from industry experts.
Audio quality and guest variety are strong positives.
Guests consistently bring diverse perspectives on genetics and farming practices.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#42
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#60
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#124
New Zealand/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Fat, fertility and the genetics of cow performance with Professor Wayne Pitchford
Q: How should producers balance selection for growth and reproductive traits when aiming for herd productivity?
Focus on direct fertility and condition-related breeding values (days to calving, body condition score) as they translate more reliably to herd stability and resilience, while still selecting for growth and meat quality to maintain productivity and economic returns.
40 years of sheep selection lessons: worm resistance, longevity and performance with Allan Richardson
Q: How often do you send your sheep away for treatment? Is it just at weaning?
Generally, one drench is given around weaning time, and we test before we drench, ensuring that we are not over-drenching.
40 years of sheep selection lessons: worm resistance, longevity and performance with Allan Richardson
Q: Can you give us a little bit of detail about how you structured that to make that work for both parties?
The equity partnership involves buying a percentage share in the business, allowing the partner to gain equity in land and stock over time, ensuring clear communication and a mutually beneficial outcome.
Why you can't miss LambEx26 with Jamie Heinrich
Q: What can attendees expect from LambEx 2026?
Attendees can expect over 50 high-caliber speakers, breakfast sessions with excellent discussions, and a range of practical sessions designed to provide valuable takeaways.
Leading The New Zealand Merino Company into its next chapter with Angus Street
Q: What do you see as the big disruptions coming into agriculture with the advances in AI and technology?
The speed of change will increase, and it's essential to utilize data effectively to drive the right outcomes while adopting new technologies.

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?

A practical, tech-forward look at sheep and beef production across Australia and New Zealand, with frequent guests from breeding, genetics, farming operations, and industry bodies. Episodes revolve around livestock management, worm resistance and health, genomic selection, branding and sustainability in wool, and events shaping the sector. Listeners likely value actionable insights, data-driven decision making, and stories from leaders shaping modern agriculture. A notable strength is the blend of practical farming tactics with cutting-edge genetics and industry collaboration, plus coverage of regional markets and certification schemes that affect growers and processors.

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How many subscribers and views does Head Shepherd have?

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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. Boots Off Log On!™
4. The Yarn
5. Humans of Agriculture

How many episodes of Head Shepherd are there?

Head Shepherd launched 6 years ago and published 282 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Head Shepherd?

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What guests have appeared on Head Shepherd?

Recent guests on Head Shepherd include:

1. Wayne Pitchford
2. Andrew Kennedy
3. Darren Gordon
4. James Starling
5. Shannon Donoghue
6. Allan Richardson
7. Jamie Heinrich
8. Angus Street

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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