Head Shepherd

Dr David Notter spent 25 years looking into the seasonality of breeding sheep and how to reduce it via genetic selection. We are very lucky to have him as a guest on the podcast today to share his wisdom on all things sheep breeding.

In 1977, the American Sheep Industry Association identified a pressing challenge: reducing seasonality in ewe breeding. Virginia Tech became the base for this research, where they aimed to create a flock of sheep capable of breeding throughout the year.

They assembled a crossbred population consisting of half-Dorset, a quarter Rambouillet and a quarter Finn sheep. Initially, the ewes in the population had a pregnancy rate of about 50% during May and June (out of season for the northern hemisphere). While not an ideal figure, it was a starting point; within five years, the flock had reached 85%. By the end of the project, these ewes were breeding as successfully in summer as those being bred in the autumn.

One fascinating aspect of the study was the role of the 'ram effect'. Although initially expected to play a significant role in the success of the project, it turned out to have less influence than anticipated. Rather, the ewes themselves had an influence, explains David. “Just like you get a ram effect, you can also get a ewe effect by cohabiting. If you want to try and breed a bunch of blackface sheep, I would put them with a bunch of cycling Merinos or Dorsets, if you had them. We know it made a difference.”

Towards the end of the project, after years of selection pressure, some ewes had exceptional reproductive capacity. “These ewes successfully lambed around the shortest day and, approximately 60 days later, conceived during lactation,” explains David. He also explains that during the first few years, this wasn’t always the case with ewes absorbing the fetus far more regularly.

They also had issues with out-of-season lambs being slower to grow, which David believes is due to less-than-optimum uterine conditions during gestation.

David’s experience in this field is second to none and the wealth of knowledge in this podcast is phenomenal. Whether you’re contemplating out-of-season breeding, or you just want to know more about the oestrus cycle of your sheep, this podcast is not one to miss.

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].

Thanks to our sponsors at MSD Animal Health and Allflex, Heiniger Australia and New Zealand, and ProWay Livestock Equipment. Please consider them when making product choices, as they are instrumental in enabling us to bring you this podcast each week.

Check out the MSD range HERE

Check out Allflex products HERE

Check out Heiniger's product range HERE

Check out ProWay's product range HERE

This week on the podcast, we introduce our newest team member at neXtgen Agri, Phoebe Eckermann.  Phoebe's journey into agriculture is anything but ordinary, from a city slicker in Adelaide to being captivated by livestock shows, to owning her first cattle, it's been non-stop.

Her deep love for animals led her to carve her niche in the beef industry and embark on an adventure with a herd of Limousin cattle. Phoebe's unique pathway into agriculture shows that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to entering this industry.

From her responsibilities within the company, to her plans for the future, Phoebe shares her story with enthusiasm and passion. Phoebe shares what her role will be within neXtgen Agri and how she will be helping our clients on the ground.

She has a deep understanding of the livestock industry and a commitment to quality; we look forward to having her on our team.

NEWS: Have you ever seen a fainting lamb? Have a look at the link below and see if you can help solve some answers for the ag industry!
https://www.sheepmetrix.com.au/blog/myotonia-congenita-fainting-lamb

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].

Thanks to our sponsors at MSD Animal Health and Allflex, Heiniger Australia and New Zealand, and ProWay Livestock Equipment. Please consider them when making product choices, as they are instrumental in enabling us to bring you this podcast each week.

Check out the MSD range HERE

Check out Allflex products HERE

Check out Heiniger's product range HERE

Check out ProWay's product range HERE

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].

Thanks to our sponsors at MSD Animal Health and Allflex, Heiniger Australia and New Zealand, and ProWay Livestock Equipment. Please consider them when making product choices, as they are instrumental in enabling us to bring you this podcast each week.

Check out the MSD range HERE

Check out Allflex products HERE

Check out Heiniger's product range HERE

Check out ProWay's product range HERE

In today's episode, we have James Cusack, a fifth-generation farmer and Corriedale breeder hailing from south-west Victoria.

While James grew up on a farm in Western Australia, he spent time completing a diesel mechanic apprenticeship before returning to farming in Victoria. James explains, "I was always told I had to do something else, so becoming a diesel mechanic was a practical skill to have. It's come in handy in various ways, but ultimately, my heart was in farming."

Now located in Skipton, south-west Victoria, James manages his family's farms, including the original Corriedale stud in Australia, flock number one, a lineage established in 1911. In 2012, James inherited the stud and has since dedicated himself to ramping up production and genetic improvement across both wool and meat.

James' dedication to improving his flock led him to join the Performance Corriedale Group. This group of passionate Corriedale breeders collaborates to enhance the breed's performance, particularly in meat quality and growth traits. James elaborates, "We aim to change the traditional look of the breed, improve rearing ability, and boost lamb weaning rates while maintaining the valuable wool characteristics."

To achieve this, the Performance Corriedale Group established a progeny test. This project involves joining 270 commercial ewes to 11 different sires, including Corriedales, Border Leicesters, Dorsets and maternal composites. The goal is to assess eating quality and growth traits in the offspring: "We're looking forward to processing the lambs in the new year and analysing carcass traits such as shear force and intramuscular fat."

James is optimistic about the future of Corriedales and believes that projects like these will help showcase the breed's potential. He emphasises the importance of encouraging other breeders to embrace objective measurement tools and select for desired traits.

To stay updated on the progress of this exciting project or get in touch with James Cusack, visit the Performance Corriedale Breeders' Twitter account or email James at [email protected]. Don't miss their field day on 1 March  2024, where you can see the progeny on display and learn more about their findings first hand.


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].

Thanks to our sponsors at MSD Animal Health and Allflex, Heiniger Australia and New Zealand, and ProWay Livestock Equipment. Please consider them when making product choices, as they are instrumental in enabling us to bring you this podcast each week.

Check out the MSD range HERE

Check out Allflex products HERE

Check out Heiniger's product range HERE

Check out ProWay's product range HERE

This week on the podcast, our guest is Jacob Wolki, owner of Wolki Farms and a 24-hour contactless butcher shop.

Initially, Jacob took over his father's hobby farm to provide his family with fresh eggs and beef, in a shift to a healthier lifestyle and better-quality food .

"I've always been plagued with skin issues and respiratory allergies and stomach issues my whole life,” says Jake. “And my wife, who's very conscientious and very healthy, said, well, maybe it's time to stop stuffing your face with iced coffees and KFC and honey chicken at the local noodle box and start eating a bit better.”

"I thought, "I'm going to try to raise a bit of my beef," because I wasn't satisfied with the local beef that was available to me. I wanted grass-fed and finished. I wanted it from animals that hadn't been dependent on pharmaceuticals that include drenching, and I just couldn't find it.”

Jacob finished his first beef cattle and was inspired to do more. “When I went to process my first body of beef and put it through the local butcher shop, I realised, maybe I'll do two and try to sell the second one, and it’ll pay for the processing costs of the first one. So I guilt-tripped, I begged, I pleaded, I forced all my friends and family to buy that body of beef off me,” he explains. “And you know, that was my first foray into farming.”

As he delved deeper into livestock management, he realised the farm could be a profitable venture. "It became very apparent to me very early on that processing was an enormous bottleneck.” As Jacobs's client list grew, he needed to use multiple abattoirs to fulfil the orders.

“I didn't want to be trying to manage meat coming out of four or five different boning rooms, everyone packing it differently and cutting it differently. So I knew if I wanted to have a go, I'd have to be able to process myself and package it myself. And I think it's a unique selling point for the business. I don't know anyone else that has done this." That meat is now sold to high-end restaurants, boutique grocery stores, through online sales and most impressively, through his 24-hour contactless butcher shop.

The 24-hour butcher shop, a reflection of Jacob's innovation, operates through a walk-in vending machine system and a simple app. Jacob uses the same technology 24-hour gyms use, which we think is pretty ingenious, and the sales are proof that customers like this accessibility, too.

Jacob's story underscores the importance of continuous learning and innovative thinking to turn a personal passion into a profitable venture.

Find out more about Wolki Farms here:
https://wolkifarm.com.au/

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].

Thanks to our sponsors at MSD Animal Health and Allflex, Heiniger Australia and New Zealand, and ProWay Livestock Equipment. Please consider them when making product choices, as they are instrumental in enabling us to bring you this podcast each week.

Check out the MSD range HERE

Check out Allflex products HERE

Check out Heiniger's product range HERE

Check out ProWay's product range HERE

In this week's podcast our guest, Chris Meade, shows that anything is possible with a strong will and a clear vision. 

Born and raised on a farm, his initial dream of becoming a veterinarian was set aside after his father died tragically and Chris ended up in the building industry. At the age of 23, Chris began what is now known as CMTP, a prominent name in the Australian packaging industry.  How his enthusiasm for cattle is woven into this story comes later. 

Beginning in the backyard of the Meade family's rented house, Chris's hard work soon led to an expansion of CMTP. In its early years, the company's primary product was potato and onion bins. Today, they can produce a painted and stencilled pallet every ten seconds. In the last year alone, the company created three million pallets.

CMTP's current operations include 11 sites with around 300 employees.  Chris reflects, “Lots of people say, "Oh, you can't do it." Well, we do it. And we have quite a complex business in terms of how many sites it's over and the amount of material we use. So, if somebody says you can't do it, they've got it wrong. You can do it." 

Chris highlights his commitment to the ethics and integrity of his company, as well as financial transparency. They conclude each day with a clear understanding of whether they've operated at a profit or loss, allowing them to promptly address any issues, rather than discovering financial setbacks months later. 

In 2008, he rekindled his involvement in farming by purchasing a small herd of unregistered and "unruly" Limousin cattle. He has since established a well-structured breeding programme and says his cattle are more like "puppies" now. Core values in his breeding programme include docility, polledness and structural soundness.

As part of their conversation, Mark and Chris discuss the impact of the F94L gene on Limousin cattle. This gene contributes to a 20% reduction in IMF and a 30% decrease in external fat cover.  It results in a 19% increase in prime cuts in the carcass. Also, animals with two copies of the F94L gene (98% of Limousin), maintain the same feed intake efficiency as those without it. This has a direct impact on methane production.

Chris's commitment to environmental sustainability is reflected at CMPT as well. Part of their sustainability strategy includes leveraging waste from their timber operations to enhance soil quality on their farms. Chris also shares how he sees his approach to farming as a form of self-insurance. By investing in properties, they can weather minor disasters without relying on external insurance.

Listen to the full episode to hear how Chris Meade has built CMTP into Australia's top pallet and bin supplier, whilst maintaining his abiding passion for livestock and genetics.

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].

Thanks to our sponsors at MSD Animal Health and Allflex, Heiniger Australia and New Zealand, and ProWay Livestock Equipment. Please consider them when making product choices, as they are instrumental in enabling us to bring you this podcast each week.

Check out the MSD range HERE

Check out Allflex products HERE

Check out Heiniger's product range HERE

Check out ProWay's product range HERE

This week we have Ella Holland, National Territory Manager at PBB (Performance Beef Breeders), on the podcast to discuss how you can make better heifer selection decisions.  

"PBB was established back in 1996 by Angus New Zealand and NZ Hereford. They saw a gap in the market and they wanted to create a company that would be a one-stop shop for the beef industry and provide them with all the services and products studs needed, and also create a unified voice for the beef industry," explains Ella. These days, PBB does much, much more and has sister companies that support the wider sheep and beef industry, such as Pivot Design. 

One of the most recent services on offer from PBB is 'Igenity'. This extensive genetic data collection covers over 18 million animals worldwide. It serves as the foundation for PBB's genetic testing, which uses DNA to evaluate animals based on 17 heifer traits - providing fertility and maternal performance predictions, evaluating genetic merit in terms of feed efficiency, growth and carcass composition, and highlighting your herd's genetic strengths and weaknesses. All from a simple DNA test.

"It uses the power of DNA to rank your animals, top to bottom, on performance and profitability,” shares Ella, allowing you to pick out the animals with better genetic merit in that “middle grey area” of heifer selection. Whilst it’s easy to cull on structural faults and poor doers, keeping the fattest shiniest heifer, it’s not always easy to pick through that middle line of the herd and this is where Igenity comes in. 

Ella underlines that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to cattle selection, explaining that the right choice depends on specific breeding goals. "There's not one good cow for everybody. There's a range of good cows and it's just working out what you want to achieve in your herd." PBB offers custom indexes, tailored to individual herd objectives, to do just that. 

Mark and Ella also discuss the other great work that PBB do and the collaboration between neXtgen Agri and PBB. 

If you would like to know more about PBB or Ingenity, you can contact us at [email protected] or PBB at [email protected].

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].

Thanks to our sponsors at MSD Animal Health and Allflex, Heiniger Australia and New Zealand, and ProWay Livestock Equipment. Please consider them when making product choices, as they are instrumental in enabling us to bring you this podcast each week.

Check out the MSD range HERE

Check out Allflex products HERE

Check out Heiniger's product range HERE

Check out ProWay's product range HERE

No matter what country you visit, each will always say that they produce the best sheep. But, up until recently, we didn't have a fair comparison of sheep genetics between countries. That's where Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority of Ireland, and our guest this week, Dr Noirin McHugh, come in. 

Both Ireland and New Zealand have grass-based systems with an emphasis on export markets. In Ireland, their breeding objectives are similar to those in New Zealand, centring on lambing efficiency, growth performance, carcass quality, health and maternal traits. This makes it a great foundation for comparison of genetic merit. 

"Back in 2012, we actually compared on paper our two indexes" explains Noirin. They wanted to see how the rate of genetic gain compared between Ireland and New Zealand. "New Zealand, because they had so much more data behind them, the rate of genetic gain or the rate of improvement due to genetics, was three times higher than what we saw here on the ground in Ireland," Noirin explains, with the Irish Maternal Sheep Index sitting at $0.50/lamb per year vs New Zealand at $2.60/lamb per year. 

This led them to conduct a more controlled experiment, so that a true comparison could be made. In 2013 and 2014, 60 ewes were imported into Ireland from New Zealand. They were selected based on the Maternal Worth Index and selected from six different flocks. 
 
A four-year controlled experiment commenced in 2015 at Teagasc. It compared the imported genetics, 'high' Irish genetics and 'low' Irish genetics. The results favoured New Zealand genetics in various aspects, including ewe survival, lamb numbers, ease of lambing and labour requirements. However, it did show that with Irish genetics, selecting the highest genetic merit animals can lead to substantial improvements in a short period of time. 

Since that trial finished, Noirin has been involved with many other groundbreaking research trials in the sheep and beef field in Ireland and she tells Mark a little about these, too. From methane testing, to the differing methods and measures of lameness recording, to how Teagasc approach data collection to make it as easy as possible for their farmers. 

The differing ways of recording data across countries is interesting, but it goes to show that the principles of genetics work the same worldwide and, that by selecting high-merit sheep with the traits you want, significant change can be made to your business.

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].

Thanks to our sponsors at MSD Animal Health and Allflex, Heiniger Australia and New Zealand, and ProWay Livestock Equipment. Please consider them when making product choices, as they are instrumental in enabling us to bring you this podcast each week.

Check out the MSD range HERE

Check out Allflex products HERE

Check out Heiniger's product range HERE

Check out ProWay's product range HERE

Our guest this week is John McKillop, and this episode is an inspiring listen. John has had an incredible career leading agribusinesses around the globe. As Mark puts it, 'If there's a big name in ag that you haven't worked for, I'm not sure who they are.'

From his beginnings on a family farm in western NSW to leading global corporations, John's journey in the agriculture sector offers valuable, and often humorous, insights. He shares his lifetime of experiences with Ferg and offers some advice from those life lessons.

1. Negotiation matters: 'In life and business, remember: you don't get what you deserve; you get what you negotiate. The art of negotiation is essential, so do your homework and understand what you want before the negotiation begins.'

2. Commit to continuous learning: 'Commit to a lifetime of learning. Formal qualifications and continuous education stimulate your mind and keep you ahead in the industry, whether you're working for others or running your own farm.'

3. Make a difference: 'Don't shy away from hard work. It's the key to adding value and achieving success. Find out how you can make a difference, even if it's beyond your job description.'

4. Maintain dignity and relationships: 'Maintain your dignity and never burn bridges in the agriculture industry. You might need to cross that bridge again and maintaining your reputation is crucial.'

5. Networking and immersion: 'Networking is vital for success. Immerse yourself in your industry, engage with others and build meaningful relationships. It's a valuable habit for personal and professional growth.'

6. Integrity is non-negotiable: 'Maintaining integrity is a non-negotiable. If you feel your integrity is compromised, it's time to move on. Your reputation and values matter in the long run.'

7. Understand your motivation: 'Know yourself and what motivates you. Is it love, money, power or respect? Understanding your motivation can guide your decisions and actions in life.'

John McKillop's career shows that success in agriculture often involves perseverance and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances. His insights shed light on the industry's complexities and opportunities.

John concludes with some wisdom for those who may feel a little defeated.

'You know, I've been sold up a few times and taken a few wrong moves in my career. But I don't think that defines me. I think you are defined by the fact that you get up again and you go out and have another crack because that's what you love doing. And if you're doing what you love doing, you'll stick to it and eventually the fruits will be borne. There will be times when you feel like there's too much pressure. But then that will lift, you'll take a breath and get back out there again.'

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].

Thanks to our sponsors at MSD Animal Health and Allflex, Heiniger Australia and New Zealand, and ProWay Livestock Equipment. Please consider them when making product choices, as they are instrumental in enabling us to bring you this podcast each week.

Check out the MSD range HERE

Check out Allflex products HERE

Check out Heiniger's product range HERE

Check out ProWay's product range HERE

Our guest this week is Dr Sonja Dominik, a research scientist specialising in sustainability indicators at CSIRO in Armidale. 

Sonja's career began with an undergraduate degree in Germany, majoring in animal breeding and genetics. Her passion for genetics led her to undertake research work in Australia, where she developed a deep appreciation for the country, its people and its livestock. 

Sonja moved to Australia to complete her doctoral studies, looking at genotype x environment interaction in merino sheep in Western Australia. Sonja looked into how the stud environment differs from the commercial environment and whether the performance of rams shifts between these distinct husbandry systems. 

Sonja joined CSIRO 21 years ago and she has been a part of pioneering research projects. Notably, she worked on the genetics of methane emission in sheep, breech strike resistance, worm resistance and much, much more. 

In this episode, we discuss Sonja's PhD topic, the genotype x environment interaction, the impact of digital technology and the work she is currently involved  in. This includes establishing a "Lifetime Animal Wellbeing Index" to objectively demonstrate animal welfare in the industry, assisting in meeting both consumer demands, and also import requirements globally. 

Sonja Dominik has had a truly remarkable career so far and this podcast highlights the importance of research and technology in shaping the future of farming, a lot of which Sonja has been involved with!

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].

Thanks to our sponsors at MSD Animal Health and Allflex, Heiniger Australia and New Zealand, and ProWay Livestock Equipment. Please consider them when making product choices, as they are instrumental in enabling us to bring you this podcast each week.

Check out the MSD range HERE

Check out Allflex products HERE

Check out Heiniger's product range HERE

Check out ProWay's product range HERE