Turning lamb data into profit with Will Barton

Turning lamb data into profit with Will Barton

Author: Mark Ferguson April 19, 2026 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 reputation for doing things differently, with a clear focus on eating quality and how that is measured and paid for. Will explains how a focus on eating quality, particularly intramuscular fat, has shaped their grid, and why balancing that with lean meat yield and anim...

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
Staff, Structure and Systems with Jack O’Connor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:50
This week we’re (belatedly) joined by Jack O’Connor, winner of the 2025 Zanda McDonald Award. Jack lives and works on the family’s fourth-generation mixed farming operation, Oxton Park, in southern NSW. He and Ferg discu…
The future of LAMBPLAN with Peta Bradley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:48
We're back on the genetic evaluation theme with Peta Bradley, Operations Manager at Sheep Genetics, to talk all things sheep genetics and the exciting changes that are happening at MLA in terms of bringing the two LAMBPL…
Managing Farm Operations and Community Involvement with James Bruce [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:33
This week on the podcast, we're joined by James Bruce, a Wairarapa sheep and beef farmer running 6,000-7,000 stock units across hill country in the Maramora area. James shares his practical strategies for managing farmer…
Why the Farmer is the Pharmacist of the Future with Louis De Jaeger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:13
Our guest this week is Louis De Jaeger, a landscape designer, author and filmmaker who believes that many of agriculture’s biggest problems start with poor soil. In this episode, he and Ferg explore soil as a living syst…
How to improve your parasite management on-farm with Greg Mirams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:30
This week, Ferg chats with Greg Mirams, founder of Techion/FECPAK. What started as a tool to do worm egg counts on-farm has evolved into a digital platform that reads samples using AI, returns results in minutes, and is…
Footrot-free finewools at Stonyhurst with Charlie Douglas-Clifford [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:15
This week, we have Charlie from Stonyhurst on the show. Charlie and Ferg have worked together for a long time, both passionate about breeding healthy, productive sheep. They discuss how Stonyhurst has managed to breed fi…
How to stay calm in chaos with Prue Simson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:32
This week we’re joined by Prue Simson, who’s gone from managing the chaos of the Olympics and Formula One to running one of regional Australia’s busiest agricultural venues, The Australian Equine and Livestock Events Cen…
The Art of Angus breeding at Taimate Angus with Paul Hickman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:43
We're sticking with cattle for one more week, and this time we have Paul Hickman from Taimate Angus on the show. Taimate is one of New Zealand's most respected cattle studs, and in this episode Paul shares the story of h…