How Do You Breed Short-Tailed Sheep? with Marnie Hodge

How Do You Breed Short-Tailed Sheep? with Marnie Hodge

Author: Mark Ferguson November 23, 2025 Duration: 31:56
What do the genetics of tail length and the genetics of semen quality have in common? Not much, except that our guest, Marnie Hodge, Sheep Genetics Senior Development Officer, has researched them both. Tail length is moderately to highly heritable, but in her research, Marnie found that measuring tail length in centimetres versus a scored system gives you far more accuracy and picks up significantly more genetic variation, which means faster rates of genetic gain if you're selecting for it. B...

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
Fourty 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…
Turning lamb data into profit with Will Barton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:46
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…