When you think of a "Modern Merino", what comes to mind? For our guest this week, Willera Merino stud principal Simon Coutts, it means a sheep that works for your business, regardless of the weather or market conditions.

Simon explains Willara's breeding philosophy, which focuses on developing a "modern Merino" that is multi-dimensional and provides multiple income streams from high-value wool, prime lamb, capital stock, and mutton.

Simon and Ferg chat about the three Willera properties and how they work together, as well as the genetic progress they have made by mating ewe lambs and ram lambs.

A great insight into a very forward-thinking breeding programme.

Willera are having their 2025 ram sale on Friday 29th August

”Wadalla” 1072 Old Boort Rd, Bears Lagoon 3517

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: info@nextgenagri.com.

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

Check out Heiniger's product range HERE
Check out the MSD range HERE
Check out Allflex products HERE

Simon Saunders is one of the original farmers behind Headwaters and runs the elite ewe flock at his farm, Stag Valley. In this episode, he discusses how the breeding program has evolved, what it takes to deliver consistency at scale, and the future of the Lumina lamb programme.

If you're wondering how to extract more value from your sheep operation or thinking about speciality lamb production, then this episode 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: info@nextgenagri.com.

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

Check out Heiniger's product range HERE
Check out the MSD range HERE
Check out Allflex products HERE

This week, we’re chatting about the differences between US and NZ sheep production systems with Dr. Whit Stewart, an Associate Professor and Extension Sheep Specialist in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Wyoming.

Whit has spent the last year on a sabbatical in New Zealand, learning and absorbing as much as he can about sheep farming here. Because of this, he has some great insights into the comparisons between systems as well as what we do well, and what we could do better at.

He and Ferg chat about predator pressure, grazing public land, the structure of the US lamb supply chain, and what it's like farming in a country where golden eagles can take 40% of your lamb crop. Whit also chats about what he’s learnt here in NZ. Our use of tools like FarmIQ, a strong export focus, and top-notch forage management are our strong points, according to Whit. And he also shares what he thinks we could learn from the US in return.

It’s a great conversation with someone who is very passionate about building better sheep businesses, regardless of where he is on the globe!

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: info@nextgenagri.com.

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

Check out Heiniger's product range HERE
Check out the MSD range HERE
Check out Allflex products HERE