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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
Drench Resistance
Agronomy
Artificial Insemination
Sustainability
Innovation
Grazing Management
Genetic Selection

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes285Founded6 years ago
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Latest Episodes

You'd never ignore your interest rate, so why aren't you tracking your genetic gain? 

This week, Ferg catches up with Chad Taylor for an update on what has been happening at Mumblebone and the recent work around footrot and feet structure they have ... more

This week, Mark catches up with Will Barton from Gundagai Meat Processors (GMP) to chat about what has changed since his last appearance on the podcast and where things are heading next for Gundagai.

Gundagai has built a reputation for doing things ... more

YouTube

This week on the podcast, Mark chats with Carol Mudford to talk about her unconventional path into the shearing sheds and the work she is now doing to help improve mental health across the industry.

Carol grew up around sheep but never planned to pi... more

YouTube

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

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

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
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

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
#47
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#60
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#175
South Africa/Science
Apple Podcasts
#220
New Zealand/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?

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 listeners does Head Shepherd get?

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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 285 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. Will Barton
2. Carol Mudford
3. Bea Litchfield
4. Shane Thomson
5. Wayne Pitchford
6. Andrew Kennedy
7. Darren Gordon
8. James Starling

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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