Show Notes
Mark "Ferg" Ferguson is a consultant who works with sheep farmers and breeders in New Zealand and Australia. He is CEO of neXtgen Agri who runs consultants in most places with sheep in New Zealand and Australia. He was involved in the science behind Lifetime Wool, which was very influential in the development of Challenge Sheep - AHDB-funded project that Nerys and Liz worked on. We talk about how their Optiewe programme is being brought to the UK, with Nerys and Liz currently collecting...
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Nerys and Liz talk with Dave Rendle, who is an equine vet by training but a sheep farmer by desire. He talks through his system of Dorsets lambing in September and October, and again in January, and how being near Exmoor challenges this system. He is one of the three farms that Mark Ferguson is going to visit for his presentation at Sheep Breeders Round Table. Links mentioned: More details on Sheep Breeders Round Table - Buy tickets – EmpowerAg AgriSearch’s Flock Focus 2026 to explo...
Nerys and Liz talk with Bryce MacKellar, a sheep and arable farmer from Staffordshire. Bryce has Lleyn ewes and talks through his breeding plans and culling approaches, and how he is already planning the succession for the next generation. He is one of the three farmers that Mark Ferguson will be visiting as part of the activity around the Sheep Breeders Round Table (20-22nd November 2026). Links mentioned: More details on Sheep Breeders Round Table - Professor Jennifer Duncan's...
Nerys and Liz catch up with Amy about how this year in farming has challenged a lot of farmers' mental health and approaches to use to check in with people and ourselves. It is a bit sweary, so please don't listen with sensitive ears nearby. Links mentioned: Farm Succession, Conflict & Family Mediation | EmpowerAg Future Farmers offers GRIP training to help you take control Podcasts available on all usual channels: ‘Think Outside the Fence’ and ‘Out of the Rut’ Som...
Nerys and Liz talks to Jonathan who is a vet working in the Bluetongue outbreak in Devon. He shares his experiences and provide background to the virus. We also talk about next steps for farmers this autumn as we try and prevent it affecting next year's lamb crop. Links mentioned: Bluetongue: latest situation - GOV.UK North Park Veterinary Farm | North Tawton | Facebook Bluetongue virus | Virus | The Pirbright Institute Membership explained - Sheep Veterinary Society Dr Li...
Matt Colston is a vet and works for Elanco. He is heavily involved with Sheep Veterinary Society and Moredun Foundation. He was previously in practice in Scotland and Cumbria. He talks us through the issues around ticks and how our thinking around control needs to change as the hills alters with more vegetation and different stock being grazed. Let alone the changing weather patterns! Links mentioned: Questing ticks: Tick Questing Moredun louping ill Donate to Bring a New Louping ...