Better Genetics, Not Better Grooming With Dr Mark Ferguson

Better Genetics, Not Better Grooming With Dr Mark Ferguson

Author: Mark Ferguson February 9, 2025 Duration: 17:50
Some rams at sales are not what they seem. Foot trimming and excessive feeding can cover up genetic faults, and buyers are paying the price. This week, Ferg breaks down what’s really happening in the industry and how we can fix it. 🐏 The problem with foot trimming in stud sales – why it hides genetic faults. 📉 How overfeeding sale rams distorts their true potential. 🏡 Why animals should be presented as they are—no sheds, no tricks. 🧬 The push for breeding values to improve foot structur...

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
Detecting Pregnancy in Cows at Day 16 with Agscent [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:42
How would you manage your cattle differently (or your sheep for that matter) if you could diagnose pregnancy at day 16? This week on the podcast, Mark chats with Bronwyn Darlington, a trailblazer in the field of disrupti…
Real-Time Livestock Monitoring with Bill Mitchell of Optiweigh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:24
This week on the podcast we have Bill Mitchell, co-founder of Optiweigh, discussing the Optiweigh system and its unexpected impacts on the farm businesses that are already using the technology. Optiweigh was founded 10 y…
The Benefits of EID in Commercial Sheep Farming with Richard Subtil [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:55
This week on the podcast we have Richard Subtil, from Omarama Station, a 12,000-hectare property in New Zealand's South Island. Over the last 26 years, Richard and his wife Annabelle have made incredible progress on the…
The Science of Food with Dr Anneline Padayachee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:55
As food producers, should we know more about the nutrition of the products we produce? This week on the podcast we have Dr Anneline Padayachee, a food and nutrition scientist. We dive into the fascinating world of carbs,…
From Merinos to Marketplace Mogul with Dwain Duxson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:59
What happens when a Merino sheep farmer turns into a digital marketplace mogul? Our guest this week, Dwain Duxson, founder of Farm Tender and The Farmers Club, shares how and why he switched career paths. While Dwain enj…
Breeding Brahmans with Alf Collins of ALC Brahmans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:22
Ever wondered what it takes to breed top-quality Brahmans? This week on the podcast we have Alf Collins, of ALC Brahmans, sharing how he and the team do just that with a disciplined approach to breeding and selection. Al…
Reducing Drench Usage in Sheep with Nick Cotter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:23
From direct organic lamb sales to a firewood business and developing algorithms for drench recommendations, the Cotter family pretty much do it all. This week we have Nick Cotter of Cotter Agritech on the podcast to chat…

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