An insight into sheep research in New Zealand with Paul Kenyon

An insight into sheep research in New Zealand with Paul Kenyon

Author: Mark Ferguson April 23, 2023 Duration: 32:03
One of the main topics of today’s podcast is the financial modelling of transitioning to a shedding flock from a Romney our guest, Prof. Paul Kenyon of Massey University, has been involved with. Mark asks what instigated the work and what does the modelling show? "In reality, coarse wool is costing more to get it off. Many farmers spend their whole summer shearing, crutching, dagging, dipping... controlling fly. As we move forward in the modern society it's harder and harder to get labour in...

Tune in to Head Shepherd, where Mark Ferguson draws on his deep involvement with neXtgen Agri to explore the realities of modern pastoral farming. This isn't just industry news; it's a series of conversations from the paddock and the research station, focused squarely on sheep and beef operations across Australia and New Zealand. You'll hear from the farmers, scientists, and innovators themselves-the people actually implementing new ideas in genetics, animal health, and farm management technology. Each episode digs into the practical science and the business decisions behind running a successful livestock enterprise, offering tangible insights that bridge the gap between emerging innovation and daily farm life. By focusing on real-world applications and the stories of those driving change, this podcast provides an authentic look at where these vital industries are headed. For anyone with a stake in the land or a curiosity about where their food and fibre comes from, Mark's straightforward interviews make complex topics accessible and directly relevant. The entire Head Shepherd podcast is built on the principle that sharing knowledge is key to progress, offering a genuine resource for education and improvement in the agricultural sector.
Author: Language: en-nz Episodes: 100

Head Shepherd
Podcast Episodes
Inside Headwaters Genetics with Simon Saunders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:46
Simon Saunders is one of the original farmers behind Headwaters and runs the elite ewe flock at his farm, Stag Valley. In this episode, he discusses how the breeding program has evolved, what it takes to deliver consiste…
Staff, Structure and Systems with Jack O’Connor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:50
This week we’re (belatedly) joined by Jack O’Connor, winner of the 2025 Zanda McDonald Award. Jack lives and works on the family’s fourth-generation mixed farming operation, Oxton Park, in southern NSW. He and Ferg discu…
The future of LAMBPLAN with Peta Bradley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:48
We're back on the genetic evaluation theme with Peta Bradley, Operations Manager at Sheep Genetics, to talk all things sheep genetics and the exciting changes that are happening at MLA in terms of bringing the two LAMBPL…
Managing Farm Operations and Community Involvement with James Bruce [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:33
This week on the podcast, we're joined by James Bruce, a Wairarapa sheep and beef farmer running 6,000-7,000 stock units across hill country in the Maramora area. James shares his practical strategies for managing farmer…
Why the Farmer is the Pharmacist of the Future with Louis De Jaeger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:13
Our guest this week is Louis De Jaeger, a landscape designer, author and filmmaker who believes that many of agriculture’s biggest problems start with poor soil. In this episode, he and Ferg explore soil as a living syst…
How to improve your parasite management on-farm with Greg Mirams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:30
This week, Ferg chats with Greg Mirams, founder of Techion/FECPAK. What started as a tool to do worm egg counts on-farm has evolved into a digital platform that reads samples using AI, returns results in minutes, and is…