Head Shepherd

Ranking history

About the show

Latest episodes

• Understanding immune competence and worm resistance in sheep with Emma Noble-Campbell

  October 4, 2026 · 33 min

  neXtResist can tell you which sheep are fighting off worms, even when worm numbers are low. Emma Noble-Campbell has been running the test for New Zealand breeders since she joined us in February. Emma grew up on a sheep and beef farm in…

• Pulling the future towards you with Gus Balbontin

  September 27, 2026 · 40 min

  Join us to celebrate our 300th episode!  For anyone lucky enough to attend LambEx this year, Gus Balbontin was one of our favourite speakers. So, when he agreed to come on for our special 300th episode, we were beyond excited. The messages…

• The changing role of breed societies with John Yates

  September 20, 2026 · 49 min

  John Yates has spent the past 18 years helping develop the British Texel Sheep Society, including bringing performance recording in house and building the iTexel database. Rather than relying on an external system, the Society has…

• From the shearing shed to sheep genetics with Reece Michelle

  September 13, 2026 · 24 min

  Our newest consultant, Reece Michelle, took a slightly roundabout route into his new role with neXtgen Agri, from studying agricultural science at Lincoln and working with Headwaters to shearing and fencing before moving across the…

• Maximising eating quality and profitability in sheep with David Packer

  September 6, 2026 · 38 min

  This episode comes from our Productivity & Profitability podcast, produced in partnership with Meat & Livestock Australia. How do you breed a lamb that consistently delivers a better eating experience? For decades, sheep producers have…

• Redefining the Corriedale with Peter Blackwood

  August 30, 2026 · 35 min

  Most breeders pick one thing to improve. Peter Blackwood picked several. When he and his wife Claire took over a Corriedale stud in 2006, they committed to lifting fertility, carcass shape and wool fineness - all at once - by using…

• Questioning tradition in Merino breeding with Dom Hallam

  August 23, 2026 · 41 min

  Looking to change your Merino genetics? What actually happens when you switch types? For our guest this week, Dom Hallam, it started with his parents. Coming from a traditional fine wool background, they began looking for something…

• Ferg’s thoughts on putting a dollar value on genetic change

  August 16, 2026 · 26 min

  What is a trait actually worth to a farming business? Ferg has spent much of his career talking about the value of genetics, but it hasn't always been easy to put that value into real dollar terms that apply to individual farming…