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
Breeding Cattle for a Hotter Future with Dr. Raluca Mateescu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:15
Have you ever wondered why some cattle thrive better through an unusually hot summer? Our guest this week, Dr. Raluca Mateescu, Professor of Quantitative Genetics and Genomics at the University of Florida, has been focus…
Innovation in Angus with Lucinda Corrigan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:36
This week we're back chatting about Angus cattle with another great livestock producer with a passion for genetics. Born and raised on the family farm, Lucinda always knew she was going to be involved in the agricultural…
Maximising IMF in your Livestock with Charlotte Westwood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:05
Today we discuss the bigger part of how you make money on the farm - how well you feed the animals. Nutrition of your livestock is one thing that you can get right, or wrong, on a daily basis; genetics is a longer burn.…
The Genetics Behind Angus Cattle with Tom Gubbins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:52
Do you want to develop your understanding of estimated breeding values (EBVs) in cattle? This week's podcast guest, Tom Gubbins, and our host Mark Ferguson chat about breeding values and Te Mania Angus, giving us a great…
Keys to a Successful Succession with Rick Morris [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:05
In this podcast, we sit down with Rick, a seasoned farmer whose parents moved to his family farm in the 70s as a child, as part of the family's succession plan. Rick now runs a self-replacing composite flock, focusing on…
Breeding for the Consumer at Cleardale with Ben Todhunter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:29
This week, our guest is Ben Todhunter from Cleardale Station in Canterbury NZ. Ben's grandfather purchased Cleardale in 1943 and is named after its geographical "snow shelter" attributes. Cleardale is only 4 km from Moun…
40 Years of Meat Trading with Richard Rains [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:43
Join us today for a chat through Richard Rains's career of 40 years of selling meat around the world. "It became a great passion and I still pinch myself every day at the success a little kid from the bush was able to ac…
Unlocking the Secrets of Farm Optimisation with John Young [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:24
Are you optimising your farm's production? Today we have John Young, aka Youngy, on the podcast. There are so many ways to optimise your farming business and sometimes that can be overwhelming. John, however, makes it al…
Integrated pest management on your farm with Alison Colvin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:09
Integrated pest management for blowfly, worms and lice is the topic of todays podcast, with our guest Alison Colvin. Alison has published work on practices on farm and has also been involved in a lot of survey work. You…