In this week's podcast, we're talking a whole lot about testicles! Our guest, Professor David Lindsay, shares his passion for the biology of reproduction and optimising ram usage on-farm. 

David was at the University of Western Australia in the 1960s, a time when the region was experiencing significant land clearance. The Department of Agriculture recognised the need for a lecturer in the reproductive physiology of sheep to address the increasing demand for sheep. He took up the role and sheep numbers quickly rose from a deficit to a surplus in just two years.

David shares some best-practice ram management principles, such as focusing on the last 54 days before mating to optimise sperm production. He also explains optimum ram-to-ewe ratios, taking into consideration the age of both animals, their condition and seasonal effects. 

Reflecting on his career,  David emphasises the importance of effective scientific writing, a skill he developed over the years and now teaches to a wide range of industries, astrophysics included! "Nobody knows you're there if you don't write," says David. "However, one of the things I found as I went on publishing this sort of material, was how difficult it was to write," he says. Professor Lindsay believes that writing should aim to inform, not to impress, a principle he has passed on to aspiring scientists.

David has a huge wealth of knowledge and we only just scraped the surface. 

If you have any questions about anything mentioned on this podcast, or one for our upcoming Q&A, email us at [email protected] or leave a voice note here: https://thehub.nextgenagri.com/c/ask-your-questions-c7d0a4/

Head Shepherd is brought to you by neXtgen Agri International Limited. We help livestock farmers get the most out of the genetics they farm with. Get in touch with us if you would like to hear more about how we can help you do what you do best: [email protected].

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