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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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes261Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceBusiness

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Artwork for Head Shepherd

Latest Episodes

Ever wondered what it takes to build a succesfull seedstock buisness from the ground up? Well, this is the podcast for you. 

This week, Mark chats with Jasmine and Hayden Green, owners of Summit Livestock, about how they built their Angus and Limous... more

Accounting may not be every farmer’s favourite topic, but it is one of the most powerful tools on the farm. This week’s Head Shepherd guest, David Egerton-Warburton, explains why.

Raised on a sixth-generation farm in Kojonup, Western Australia, Davi... more

YouTube

What makes farmers change? And what holds them back? Our guest this week, Dr Ruth Nettle, has spent 25 years studying just that. Ruth has spent her career looking into how people in agriculture learn, adapt, and lead.

Now leading the Rural Innovatio... more

YouTube

Want to know more about meat-eating quality traits like IMF, shear force and marbling? Our guest this week, Dr Peter McGilchrist, is a leading meat scientist and professor at the University of New England, Australia, likely has the answers you're loo... 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

Ruth Nettle
Professor and social scientist at the University of Melbourne, leading the Rural Innovation Research Group
University of Melbourne
Episode: Trust and Farm Advice with Dr Ruth Nettle
Professor Peter McGilchrist
Educator and Meat Scientist
University of New England
Episode: Understanding IMF, Shear Force and Marbling with Dr Peter McGilchrist
Tamarah Luxton
Genomics expert with experience in livestock solutions
Weatherbys Scientific
Episode: neXtPredict: Breeding Values Made Easy for Commercial Sheep Producers
Liz Genever
Beef and sheep consultant and co-host of The Sheep Geeks podcast
Episode: Three sheep consultants walk into a podcast studio ...
Nerys Wright
Sheep consultant and co-host of The Sheep Geeks podcast
Episode: Three sheep consultants walk into a podcast studio ...
Ryan Luckman
Veterinarian and founder of the DAGI app
Episode: Fighting drench resistance with the DAGI app, with Ryan Luckman
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

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 234 ratings
  • Review

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    574636382
    New Zealand6 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
    Australia10 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
#152
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#176
New Zealand/Science
Apple Podcasts
#192
Sweden/Science
Apple Podcasts
#231
South Africa/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Trust and Farm Advice with Dr Ruth Nettle
Q: What adjustments are being made to attract a younger workforce?
There has been an effort to recruit young people through graduate programs and positive workplace culture, emphasizing collaboration and development opportunities for employees.
Trust and Farm Advice with Dr Ruth Nettle
Q: What does a good sharing culture look like in the farming context?
It involves daily interactions where team members share achievements, challenges, and support each other, fostering a sense of community and engagement on the farm.
Trust and Farm Advice with Dr Ruth Nettle
Q: What have you learned from interviewing farmers about workforce challenges?
There is an increasing interest among farmers to be recognized as better employers, and those that invest in workforce management practices tend to attract and retain staff better, regardless of the farm size.
Understanding IMF, Shear Force and Marbling with Dr Peter McGilchrist
Q: What are the main factors that drive eating quality in sheep?
The main factors are ossification and marbling, where a focus on age at slaughter and fat deposition significantly affects quality.
Understanding IMF, Shear Force and Marbling with Dr Peter McGilchrist
Q: Can you explain shear force for the audience?
Shear force is a measure of the strength of the meat and how much pressure is needed to cut through it, indicating tenderness.

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. Humans of Agriculture
5. Boots Off Log On!™

How many episodes of Head Shepherd are there?

Head Shepherd launched 5 years ago and published 261 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. Ruth Nettle
2. Professor Peter McGilchrist
3. Tamarah Luxton
4. Liz Genever
5. Nerys Wright
6. Ryan Luckman
7. Vicky Alexandrou
8. Felicity Taylor

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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