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Head Shepherd

Mark Ferguson
Livestock Management
Animal Health
Agriculture
Sheep Farming
Sheep Breeding
Genetics
Genomics
Worm Resistance
Animal Welfare
Wool Industry
Animal Health Management
Australia
Merino Sheep
Lambex
Drench Resistance
Agronomy
Artificial Insemination
Sustainability
Innovation
Grazing Management

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes290Founded6 years ago
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BusinessScience

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Latest Episodes

Most sheep producers assume their drenches are working. Chloe Frank's job is finding out whether they actually are.

After discovering how few producers in her region were monitoring worm burdens, Chloe launched Central Stock Health while still at un... more

YouTube

This week on the podcast, Ferg introduces James Trowbridge, the newest consultant to join the neXtgen Agri team.

James grew up in South Australia working alongside his parents, Margie and Bill Trowbridge, in both Merinos and the family artificial br... more

YouTube

What does it take to build the data systems that sit behind your genetic evaluations?

This week on the podcast, Ferg catches up with Dan Garrick from Helical. Dan grew up on a sheep, beef and venison farm in the Manawatu before moving to the US at 1... more

YouTube

Jane Kellock joins Mark to talk through the production and business decisions that have shaped their Merino operation in South Australia’s Mid North. From running a non-mulesed flock for more than 20 years to building a breeding programme focused on ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

James Trowbridge
Guest, joined NeXtgen Agri
neXtgen Agri
Episode: Data driven sheep breeding with James Trowbridge
Dan Garrick
Guest from Helical, involved in data management and genetic evaluations
Helical
Episode: Genomic data management and the future of breeding values with Dan Garrick
Jane Kellock
Farmer in Farrell Flats; LambEx committee member
South Australia farming community; LambEx task force
Episode: Lessons learned from LambEx with Jane Kellock
Matt Hood
Agribusiness banker
Based in Marlborough, New Zealand (Blenheim)
Episode: How to run a farm business your bank trusts, with Matt Hood
Chad Taylor
Chad Taylor of Mumblebone Merinos
Mumblebone Merinos
Episode: Feet, finances and faster genetic gain with Chad Taylor from Mumblebone
Will Barton
From Gundagai Meat Processors
Gundagai Meat Processors
Episode: Turning lamb data into profit with Will Barton
Carol Mudford
Founder of Shedway; health promotion charity for suicide prevention and mental fitness in the shearing industry
Shedway
Episode: What practical mental health support looks like in the shearing industry with Carol Mudford
Bea Litchfield
Managing Director, Hazeldean Angus and Marino Genetics
Hazeldean Angus and Marino Genetics
Episode: Breeding seedstock for tough country at Hazeldean, with Bea Litchfield
Shane Thomson
Veterinarian with Holbrook Vet Centre, expert in cattle reproduction
Holbrook Vet Centre
Episode: Key tips for improving the reproductive performance of your beef herd with Dr Shane Thomson

Host

Mark Ferguson
Host of Head Shepherd

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 246 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 States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Covers a broad spectrum from finance to genetics with strong relevance for producers.
High-quality experts; the tech and data angle is very helpful for decision making.
Relaxed yet informative style with deep industry knowledge.
Insightful guests and practical takeaways for farm economics and genetics.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#47
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#111
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#57
Ireland/Science
Apple Podcasts
#176
New Zealand/Science
Apple Podcasts
#221
Singapore/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Key tips for improving the reproductive performance of your beef herd with Dr Shane Thomson
Q: Is there any tips on preventing bull breakdown?
Yes, the approach includes ensuring bulls acclimatize properly before joining, managing body condition to keep them athletic, and organizing bulls into stable groups to prevent aggressive dynamics; overall, focusing on pre-existing vs acquired issues and having clear protocols.
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.

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?

This program centers on livestock genetics, farming technology, and data-driven decision making for sheep and beef operations across Australia and New Zealand. Episodes frequently explore genomic tools, breeding values, precision management, and practical implementations of new tech in commercial farming. Guests include researchers, breeders, veterinarians, and industry leaders who share actionable insights on profitability, sustainability, and industry challenges such as input costs, market dynamics, and welfare considerations. A standout trait is the consistent emphasis on real-world adoption—pilot projects, on-farm demonstrations, and collaboration with breed societies and industry bodies—making it valuable for listeners seeking tangible... 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. Humans of Agriculture
3. AgriCoach Wealth & Wisdom Podcast by The Financial Bloke
4. The Yarn
5. Boots Off Log On!™

How many episodes of Head Shepherd are there?

Head Shepherd launched 6 years ago and published 290 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. James Trowbridge
2. Dan Garrick
3. Jane Kellock
4. Matt Hood
5. Chad Taylor
6. Will Barton
7. Carol Mudford
8. Bea Litchfield

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