On-Farm Micron Testing with Woven Optics

On-Farm Micron Testing with Woven Optics

Author: Mark Ferguson September 14, 2025 Duration: 38:38
Our guest this week is Vicky Alexandrou, co-founder of Woven Optics. Over the past eight years, Vicky has helped design and build a handheld microscope that lets you measure wool fibre diameter right there in the yards or shed. Instead of waiting for lab results, you clip a small sample, take a few quick images along the staple, and within seconds, the device tells you the mean micron, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and comfort factor. You can scan the sheep’s ear tag so ...

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
Chris Earl on US Angus Operations, Live from the World Angus Forum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:52
We're back with another podcast from the World Angus Forum. This time, we have Chris Earl from CK6 Consulting, sharing his insights on ranching, genetic consulting, and the challenges faced in the cattle industry. He and…
Head Shepherd Live at the World Angus Forum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:34
Listen to the podcast live from the World Angus Forum. Ferg chats with Chuck Grove, retired American Angus Association President, to talk all things Angus cattle. Head Shepherd is brought to you by neXtgen Agri Internati…
Wool’s Role in Healthier Soil with Sherri Symons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:21
When Sherri Symons looked at five years' worth of crossbred wool gathering dust in the shed, she didn’t just see a problem, she saw an opportunity. Today, she’s the founder of Aussie Wool Pellets and WoolGrow, creating e…
Future-Proofing the Family Farm with Ben Law [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:35
Want to know how to future-proof your family farm for generations ahead? This is the podcast episode for you. Our guest this week is fellow podcaster Ben Law, aka 'The Financial Bloke'. Ben is a former financial advisor…
The Business of Farming with Nigel Kerin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:56
Nigel is back again to discuss the business of farming, and mindset in particular. Expanding on our previous two podcasts with Nigel, he shares his approach to business, the evolution of his mindset and strategies for ma…
BONUS EPISODE: Integrating Angoras with Merinos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:15
This week we're giving you a bonus episode on the Head Shepherd Podcast. Our host Mark, also hosts the Fibre Frontier podcast and we thought this interview with Dr Susan Robertson was worth sharing with our audience here…
Strategies for Higher Conception Rates in Cattle with Dr Pedro Fontes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:12
This week on the Head Shepherd podcast, we’re joined by Dr Pedro Fontes from the University of Georgia to talk about beef cattle reproduction. Pedro’s research focuses on optimising fertility through artificial inseminat…
All you need to know about Toxoplasmosis with Connor Bury [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:41
This week on the Head Shepherd podcast, we’re deep-diving into Toxoplasma Gondii with veterinary parasitologist Connor Bury. Connor walks us through the lifecycle of the parasite, how it’s impacting sheep farmers across…