neXtgen Agri

Mark Ferguson has returned from his recent trip to Ontario, Canada, fired up with fresh perspectives on livestock breeding and production. You'll find his reflections from that trip, as well as our latest releases from The Hub, Head Shepherd podcast and the neXtgen Agri YouTube channel in this fortnight's newsletter. #livestockgenetics #resourcesforfarmers #ausfarming #nzfarming #ontariofarming

This week's podcast guest is Bec Malseed. The focus is on the lessons she's learning as a female central/field umpire in the traditionally male-dominated sphere of Aussie rules football - and how they translate into life beyond footy. Be sure to tune in to Head Shepherd to hear the full episode. #headshepherd #livestockgenetics #ausfarming  #australianfootballleague #lifetimeewemanagement

The neXtgen team had a week full of variety across New Zealand and Australia! Will started off in snowy Otago, before travelling up the island to milder weather for lamb-matching at Otamatapaio Station. Meanwhile, Phoebe and Henry covered plenty of ground, classing rams and ewes for multiple clients. Buckles joined the action at the Australian National Field Days, where she attended an inspiring lunch by Central West Inspired Women, whilst supporting the Agrifutures AU team and our fibre goat programme. Georgia and Sophie got stuck into another Agrifutures AU project, capturing a soil carbon case study at Old Man Creek. 1, 2: It’s definitely spring in the South Island of New Zealand. Will had a snowy start to the week but ended the week with some nice, mild weather for matching ewes with lambs at Otamatapaio Station. 3: Over to South Australia, where Phoebe Eckermann and Henry Hickson were busy classing rams and ewes at Eyre Ultrawhites. 4, 5: Phoebe and Henry also visited Karawatha Park to run through some ram lambs. 6: Georgia Buchholz was busy at the Australian National Field Days and attended a lunch run by Central West Inspired Women (CWIW) where the speaker, Bianca from Our Cow, shared an inspiring story of resilience and perseverance. 7: Georgia Pugh and Sophie Barnes have been busy working on their AgriFutures Australia Sustainable Lending project. This week we recorded and edited a case study at Michael Gooden’s Old Man Creek Grass Fed Bulls property about his soil carbon project. 8: To round the week off, Henry spent the day at Mumblebone Merino Stud indexing rams. 

In this week's article, Sophie Barnes tackles the topic of attracting and retaining great people in a farming business. She questions some of the common assumptions about what employees value and highlights how farm owners and managers can ensure their enterprise is an attractive place to work, now and into the future. #workinginag #aufarming #nzfarming

We know we say this every time, but it has been yet another busy week for our team here at neXtgen Agri! From DNA testing to ewe indexing and sorting through rams for clients all over the globe! 1, 2, 3: Mark Ferguson is still in Ontario, Canada, checking out different sheep farming systems and breeds. Check out the ears on the Suffolks! 4: Georgia Buchholz has been busy working with AgriFutures Australia promoting fibre goats at the Australian National Field Days. 5, 6: Emma S. and Will spent a day at Glenallen, DNA-testing ram hoggets. 7: Phoebe Eckermann and Henry Hickson headed over to Goldmine Hill Farms to class some ewes. What a great yard set-up! 8: Phoebe and Henry also spent some time at Rices Creek, indexing ewes. 9, 10: Will and Emma were also at McDonald Downs, discussing future plans and classing ewe hoggets.

Mark Ferguson's latest article, 'Is a pass-in really a failure?', argues that passing in a few rams or bulls is actually a positive sign on auction day. It indicates you are giving buyers more choice and helping them head home with the right genetics. It might just be the key to a better sale next year. #LivestockGenetics #LivestockSales #AuFarming #NZFarming

This week we had an incredible LIVE event over on The Hub. John Young presented ‘Balancing the Merino objective, valuing the good-doers’, generating an in-depth discussion with attendees. The recording is now available on The Hub and is one not to miss if you’re passionate about breeding a modern Merino sheep. Highlights: * Key messages from the GEPEP project. The project aims to refine the existing per-head genetic benchmarking system (replacing the current simplistic use of metabolic body weight (DSE rating) with more accurate estimates of feed intake and body energy reserves). * The metabolic cost of storing energy: the cellular GST. * The metabolic cost of keeping energy: the cellular wealth tax. Watch now on The Hub 👇🏻

🎙 In our latest episode of the Head Shepherd podcast, Ben Simpson from OGA Creative Agency shares his passion with Mark Ferguson about the diverse world of Australian agriculture. They discuss how storytelling, visual communication and AI are shaping the future of farming - and how the world perceives us. Ben shares insights about ethical practices, the importance of brand values and how programs like Meat and Livestock Australia's ‘Australian Good Meat’ are helping put Aussie agriculture on the map. 🌱🐑 Tune in now to hear how creativity and innovation are driving our industry. #Agriculture #AI #Storytelling #GoodMeat #Farming

This week, the neXtgen Agri team has been helping people breed better sheep from the North Island of New Zealand to Victoria, Australia and even getting to Ontario, Canada! 1, 2, 3: Mark Ferguson and Emma S. started the week in the North Island at Turanganui Romneys NZ sorting rams.  4, 5, 6: Georgia Buchholz and Henry Hickson spent time classing at Burnbrae Poll Merino Stud Wishart Stud. 7: Sophie Barnes and Georgia Pugh have been recording and editing podcasts and videos for our sustainable lending extension work with AgriFutures Australia.  8: Will has been office-bound all week, sorting data for clients.  9: Ferg headed over to Ontario on Thursday to speak at the Ontario Sheep Farmers Convention, touring some farms in the lead-up to the event.

Did you catch this week's episode of the Head Shepherd podcast? Mark Ferguson chats with David Thompson of Moojepin Foods about innovations in sheep breeding, saltbush beer and the potential of halophytes to help solve some of our biggest problems. Check out this article for a taster and tune in to Head Shepherd to hear the full episode. #headshepherd #livestockgenetics #ausfarming #nzfarming #halophyte