How do you breed a lamb that consistently delivers a better eating experience?

For decades, sheep producers have been selecting for traits they could easily measure, including growth, fertility and lean meat yield. But eating quality has remained far more difficult to quantify, despite being one of the biggest drivers of consumer satisfaction and long-term demand.

On this episode, Mark chats with David Packer, Program Manager – CarcaseValue at Meat & Livestock Australia, to explore how advances in meat science are changing that.

David explains why carcase value is ultimately driven by two key components: eating quality and yield. Rather than maximising one at the expense of another, he highlights the importance of balancing both alongside productivity traits within a breeding objective. 

David also explains the biology behind meat quality, from intramuscular fat and tenderness through to electrical stimulation, cold shortening and physiological maturity. He also discusses why consumer taste panels remain the benchmark for eating quality research, and how new technologies are finally making it possible to measure commercially important traits at processing speeds.

Mark and David also discuss the results of the 2026 LambEx Carcase Showcase, where more than 5,300 lambs from 52 properties were benchmarked across four states and at multiple processors. 

The findings highlight substantial variation in eating quality and lean meat yield within every breed and production system, reinforcing that every producer has an opportunity for genetic improvement rather than identifying a single "best" breed or finishing system. 

As carcase feedback becomes more widely available and objective measurements continue to improve, producers are gaining access to information that has the potential to refine breeding objectives, validate ram purchasing decisions and capture greater value throughout the supply chain.

Whether you're interested in genetics, processing, meat science or producing lambs that better meet consumer expectations, this episode shows just how rapidly objective carcase measurement is reshaping sheep breeding.

You can find more information on the lambEx Carcase Showcase here:

https://www.lambex.org.au/ampc-carcase-showcase-26

This episode is proudly brought to you by neXtgen Agri, in partnership with Meat and Livestock Australia.

We would appreciate it if you could take a moment to complete a short survey about the series. By participating, you’ll enter the draw to WIN a 1-hour online consultation with Mark Ferguson. 

https://forms.gle/9apCMhawfbGRyAUb8

Input costs continue to rise, but according to Ken Solly, that is no excuse for standing still. In this episode, Ken joins our new host, neXtgen Agri CEO Mark Ferguson, to discuss why producers need to understand their own rate of inflation, benchmark their business against itself, and continually look for gains in productivity rather than relying on strong market prices to protect margins.

Drawing on decades of experience working alongside livestock producers, Ken explains why the businesses that thrive are often the ones that spend less time worrying about factors beyond the farm gate and more time measuring, questioning and improving what happens inside it.

This episode is proudly brought to you by neXtgen Agri, in partnership with Meat and Livestock Australia.

We would appreciate it if you could take a moment to complete a short survey about the series. By participating, you’ll enter the draw to WIN a 1-hour online consultation with Mark Ferguson. 

https://forms.gle/9apCMhawfbGRyAUb8

Welcome to Episode 20 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series! In this episode, we're joined by Dr Gordon Refshaugee to explore fertility and fecundity in Australian sheep flocks over the past decade. 

Your host, Ellie Hays, and Gordon discuss the average pregnancy rate in Australian sheep flocks and share practical tips to improve fertility and manage the resulting obligations.

To watch our webinar with Gordon head to: Productivity & Profitability series | Meat & Livestock Australia (mla.com.au)

To access Gordon's research paper head to: An analysis of fertility and fecundity in the Australian sheep flock between 2006 and 2019 | Scientific Reports

More information on pregnancy scanning, check out the AWI-MLA report links:

AWI-MLA The Value of pregnancy scanning

awimla_value-of-pregnancy-scanning_report.pdf

This episode is proudly brought to you by Agrista, in partnership with Meat and Livestock Australia.

We’d greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to complete a short survey about the series. By participating, you’ll enter the draw to WIN one of @agrista.au 3 tools: the Farm Expansion Calculator, the Exclusion Fencing Calculator, or the Containment Lot Calculator the choice is yours! 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7PS8HBM

Welcome to episode 19 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Tim Gole from For Flocks Sake. Tim and I will dive into all thing BredWell FedWell and setting up your breeding flock for success. 

Your host, Ellie Hays and Tim discuss the importance of pre-joining exams, body condition scoring, scanning, ASBVs and how eID's can be used as an advantage.

To find out more on anything was discussed throughout this podcast, visit For Flocks Sake website https://www.flockssake.com.au/.

To watch our webinar with Tim head to: Productivity & Profitability series | Meat & Livestock Australia (mla.com.au)

This episode is brought to you by Agrista in partnership with Meat and Livestock Australia.

Welcome to episode 18 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Ed Riggall from AgPro Management. Ed and I will dive into integrating livestock into mixed farming systems with the main focus on summer nutrition. 

Your host, Ellie Hays and Ed briefly discuss on a life on a consultant before diving into summer nutrition, feed requirements for sheep, different grains and much more.

To find out more on anything was discussed throughout this podcast, visit AgPro Management website https://agpromanagement.com. Alternatively you can email Ed via [email protected] for any resources mentioned.

To watch our webinar with Ed head to: Productivity & Profitability series | Meat & Livestock Australia (mla.com.au)

This episode is brought to you by Agrista in partnership with Meat and Livestock Australia.

Welcome to episode 17 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Natalee Johnston from Skilful Decisions. Natalee Johnston was the Royal Australian Navy’s first female pilot and with over 24 years of military experience, Natalee has led teams in high-stakes situations, taught as a helicopter instructor, and now runs her own consultancy focusing on human factors, risk management, and safety across various industries. 

Your host, Ellie Hays and Natalee discuss what you can do to manage high workloads and pressure. Natalee will share her insights on safety culture and risk management and why these skills are critical for performing under pressure.

To watch our webinar with Natalee head to: Productivity & Profitability series | Meat & Livestock Australia (mla.com.au)

Article on culture ladder by Professor Patrick Hudson and an alternative the Keil Centre https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2017/08/safety-in-mind-hudsons-culture-ladder/ 

Elements of a positive safety culture https://www.nhvr.gov.au/files/201811-0937-sms-quick-guide-positive-safety-culture.pdf 

CASA Human factors and human performance https://www.casa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-06/safety-management-systems-book-6-human-factors.pdf

The Risk Awareness - PEAR model (simplified risk management) and Rule of three used in Defence https://dasa.defence.gov.au/sites/default/files/Maintaining-Risk-Awareness-2022.pdf 

From worksafe on deliberate risk management process https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safety-topic/managing-health-and-safety/identify-assess-and-control-hazards/managing-risks

Some additional reading on Risk Management and Bowtie Risk Assessment
 
https://shoalgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Hocking-and-Sproston-Bowtie-risk-assessment-methodology-in-practice-AMPEAK2019.pdf

https://www.juliantalbot.com/post/risk-bow-tie-method 

This episode is brought to you by Agrista in partnership with Meat and Livestock Australia.

Welcome to episode 16 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Deb Scammell from Talking Livestock. Deb dives into the key questions around mineral supplementation for beef and sheep. 

Your host, Ellie Hays and Deb discuss the importance of mineral supplementation, when they need supplements and which essential minerals to focus on. Find out how minerals interact in the body, the risks of excess and how to evaluate products to ensure  you're choosing the most effective and cost-efficient options. 

To watch our webinar with Deb head to: Productivity & Profitability series | Meat & Livestock Australia (mla.com.au)

This is the link to the NRC Sheep book which can be purchased or read online: https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/11654/nutrient-requirements-of-small-ruminants-sheep-goats-cervids-and-new

The NRC beef cattle version is here: https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/19014/nutrient-requirements-of-beef-cattle-eighth-revised-edition

The MLA phosphorus resource can be found here: https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/research-and-development/program-areas/livestock-production/mla---phosphorus-management-of-beef-cattle-in-northern-australia---2nd-edition_v20.pdf

This episode is brought to you by Agrista in partnership with Meat and Livestock Australia.

Welcome to episode 15 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Matt Ferguson from NeXtgen Agri. Mark talks about the importance of embracing change to continue to be successful in agriculture.

Your host, Tanisha Shields and Mark discuss exciting technologies including genomics, robotics, artificial intelligence, augmented reality and big data. They discuss the impact that these technologies have on agriculture currently and in the future. 

This episode introduces the concept of conducting a pre-mortem of your business to prepare for the future.

To watch our webinar with Mark head to: Productivity & Profitability series | Meat & Livestock Australia (mla.com.au)

Mark recommends the Book "Who Moved My Cheese" by Spencer Johnson within the podcast and your can find it here:
https://www.amazon.com/Who-Moved-My-Cheese-audiobook/dp/B07F7LS2ZW 

This episode is brought to you by Agrista in partnership with Meat and Livestock Australia.

Welcome to episode 14 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Elke Hocking from Elke Hocking Consulting. Elke talks about the importance of measuring and monitoring to manage for reproductive success in heifers. 

Your host, Tanisha Shields and Elke discuss that by proactively managing weaner heifers to achieve critical mating weight targets and condition scores prior to joining (60% of SRW prior to heifer joining and 85-90% of SRW prior to second joining), beef businesses have the potential to improve the reproduction rates in their heifers and second calving cows.

This episode covers that by developing an annual management and health plan for their beef business, producers can optimise the health and welfare of their animals, reduce mortality rates in their herd, achieve target liveweights and realise the genetic potential of their herd.

To watch our webinar with Elke head to: Productivity & Profitability series | Meat & Livestock Australia (mla.com.au)

To find out about the project head to: https://www.mackillopgroup.com.au/blog/reproductive-health-and-management-practices-for-beef-heifers/1577113  

More information about condition scoring cattle can be found here: 

• https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/content/uploads/2021/07/BCSG_A6_FINAL.pdf
• https://youtu.be/DzOLbANRa_0?si=eYgKVYjjvMSpOB1v

Other links to resources to provide more information on this topic are:
Final Report: https://www.mla.com.au/research-and-development/reports/2024/p.psh.1280---pds-reproductive-health-and-management-practices-for-beef-heifers/

More Beef from Pastures manuals: https://mbfp.mla.com.au/  

https://paraboss.com.au/annual-program/western-victoria-and-south-australia/

https://www.mla.com.au/extension-training-and-tools/tools-calculators/Cost-of-production/

This episode is brought to you by Agrista in partnership with Meat and Livestock Australia.

Welcome to episode 13 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Callen Thompson from AgSTAR Projects. Callen talks about growing beef from dairy, the benefits, barriers and next steps for the industry. 

Your host, Tanisha Shields and Callen discuss the importance of relationships and understanding what the end user of your product wants. Callen highlights the benefits of dairy beef, including carbon emissions, eating quality and consistency of supply. Beef and dairy producers looking to get involved in the Dairy-Beef supply chain need to breed, feed and manage their calves with their end market in mind. 

To take advantage of these opportunities we will need to address several barriers including increasing capacity to rear calves, developing a greater understanding of market specifications for both beef and dairy producers and producing an animal that consistently meets market specifications.

To watch our webinar with Callen head to: Productivity & Profitability series | Meat & Livestock Australia (mla.com.au)

To find out about the Growing Beef from Dairy project Callen mentioned head to: Growing Beef from Dairy | Meat & Livestock Australia (mla.com.au)
This project is funded 50:50 by Meat and Livestock Australia and Dairy Australia.

To sign up to receive updates on this project head to: Growing Beef from Dairy - Industry engagement survey (office.com) 

This episode is brought to you by Agrista in partnership with Meat and Livestock Australia.