Selecting for worm resistance in low-challenge systems with Swabtec

Selecting for worm resistance in low-challenge systems with Swabtec

Author: Mark Ferguson December 21, 2025 Duration: 37:40
What if measuring worm resistance didn't require high parasite burdens and ALSO delivered double the heritability of egg counts? Sarah Preston, Lecturer at Federation University and cofounder of Swabtec, explains the development of their saliva-based test designed to measure immune responses to gastrointestinal worms in sheep, allowing resistance to be assessed without relying on high worm egg counts. She and Mark discuss why egg counts often fail to reflect adult worm burden, particularly in...

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
Trust and Farm Advice with Dr Ruth Nettle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:52
What makes farmers change? And what holds them back? Our guest this week, Dr Ruth Nettle, has spent 25 years studying just that. Ruth has spent her career looking into how people in agriculture learn, adapt, and lead. No…
Understanding IMF, Shear Force and Marbling with Dr Peter McGilchrist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:58
Want to know more about meat-eating quality traits like IMF, shear force and marbling? Our guest this week, Dr Peter McGilchrist, is a leading meat scientist and professor at the University of New England, Australia, lik…
neXtPredict: Breeding Values Made Easy for Commercial Sheep Producers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:54
Ever wished you could get breeding values on your commercial Merinos without having to record weights, dates or pedigrees? This week, we’re launching neXtPredict, our brand new genomic tool that lets you go straight from…
Three sheep consultants walk into a podcast studio ... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:47
What do you get when three sheep consultants, all podcast hosts, from Australia, England and Wales sit down in front of a microphone? You get a very entertaining, slightly chaotic, sheepy podcast! This week, we're joined…
Fighting drench resistance with the DAGI app, with Ryan Luckman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:43
Is drench resistance an issue on your property? Thanks to modern technology, we have tools at our disposal to help. This week's guest is Ryan Luckman, vet and founder of DAGI, (Drench and Grazing Integration), an app tha…
What does neXtgen Agri actually do? Mark Ferguson explains [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:53
Thousands of you listen to the podcast every week, but we've come to realise many of you don't know exactly what we do here at neXtgen Agri. In this episode, Mark, our host and CEO, takes to the mic and chats about all t…
On-Farm Micron Testing with Woven Optics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 o…
Leadership in ag with Felicity Taylor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:50
What does leadership look like in agriculture today? For Felicity Taylor, Area Manager for Rabobank in Moree and a 2025 Zanda McDonald Award finalist, it’s about connection, community and supporting others to succeed. In…
Breeding better sheep at Moojepin Merinos with Hamish Thompson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:24
What does it take to keep a sheep business moving forward? For our guest this week, Hamish Thomson of Moojepin Merinos, it’s a mix of genetics, management and never being afraid to try something new. In the podcast, Hami…