Ferg’s thoughts on putting a dollar value on genetic change

Ferg’s thoughts on putting a dollar value on genetic change

Author: Mark Ferguson August 16, 2026 Duration: 25:32
What is a trait actually worth to a farming business? Ferg has spent much of his career talking about the value of genetics, but it hasn't always been easy to put that value into real dollar terms that apply to individual farming businesses. In this episode, Ferg explains how we plan to work out the dollar value of genetic performance with the use of our new tool, neXtProfit. Ferg explains that it's not as simple as putting a price on an extra lamb or another kilogram of wool, because e...

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: 50

Head Shepherd
Podcast Episodes
Turning grass into money - this time with cattle, with Joe Kerin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:00
What does a cow actually cost to run? At Kerin Ag, every kilogram of utilisable feed has a value attached to it. That allows Joe Kerin and the team to measure whether an animal is genuinely paying its way. In this episod…
Forty years at Wairere Romneys with Simon Buckley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:17
Few people have had a front-row seat to the genetic improvement of New Zealand sheep quite like our guest this week, Simon Buckley. After growing up in Whangārei and starting his farming career at Castlepoint Station, Si…
Data driven sheep breeding with James Trowbridge [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:03
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…
Lessons learned from LambEx with Jane Kellock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:22
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…
How to run a farm business your bank trusts, with Matt Hood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:53
Matt Hood on farm succession, agribusiness banking, and building better farm businesses. Based in Marlborough, Matt has worked across sheep and beef, dairy, and viticulture businesses in both New Zealand and Australia, w…