Lessons learned from LambEx with Jane Kellock

Lessons learned from LambEx with Jane Kellock

Author: Mark Ferguson May 10, 2026 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 breeding programme focused on lamb survival, Jane explains how genetics, condition scoring and lessons learned from attending previous LambEx conferences have helped their business through some brutal seasons. Jane also discusses the importance of making strategic decisions be...

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
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…
Building Futures in Agriculture with Nancy Crawshaw [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:17
This week on the podcast we have Nancy Crawshaw, Extension Manager for Angus Australia and winner of the New Zealand Zanda McDonald Award 2024. The conversation kicks off with Nancy’s reflections on the aftermath of Cycl…
The power of staying curious with Nigel Kerin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:05
Nigel Kerin returns to the podcast this week to discuss profit drivers, decision rules, staying curious and the importance of science and technology in farming. Nigel has a great way of thinking about the business of far…
The Future of Sheep: Preview of Lambex 2024 with Jason Schulz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:06
Are you heading to Lambex this year? If you’re not already going, you’ll want to be there after listening to this week's podcast! Our guest this week is Jason Schulz, chair of Lambex. After a six-year break, Lambex is ba…
Irrigation Insights with Tessa Chartres [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:24
This week on the podcast we have one of the fantastic winners of the 2024 Zanda McDonald Award, Tessa Chartres, to discuss her career, how she manages her work-life balance and much more. Tessa grew up on a farm in Bathu…
What is an estimated breeding value? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:40
Breeding values are something we discuss a lot here at neXtgen Agri. We decided to do a podcast episode explaining exactly what they are and how they are ‘built’. Today, Daniel Brown, Principal Scientist at Animal Geneti…
How the Rumen Works with Rob Bell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:08
Understanding the rumen is a key part of being a top-performing producer. While we might think of them as herbivores, Rob explains it’s a little more complex than that. “They're more what we'd call a ‘fermentivore’. What…
‘Animal science Down Under’ with Alan Bell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:53
This week on the podcast we have Professor Emeritus of Animal Science at Cornell University, Alan Bell, discussing his recent paper ‘Animal science Down Under: a history of research, development and extension in support…
Tough Times, Tougher Farmers: The FarmFitNZ Approach with Kane Brisco [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:17
When the going gets tough on farm, it's the tough who get going. But what fuels that resilience? This week on the Head Shepherd podcast, we have Kane Brisco of FarmFitNZ to discuss mental wellbeing, farm fitness and comm…
Tackling Ewe Wastage with Anne Ridler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:54
Replacement rates in your sheep flock are determined by your ewe losses and your culling decisions. For every ewe lamb you choose to keep, that’s one less to sell. In this week's podcast, our guest, Associate Professor A…