Productivity and Profitability Media Series

Hosted by neXtgen Agri

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Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-AU

About the show

The Productivity & Profitability series presents new and topical information to help southern producers increase the success of their businesses. Beef, sheep and goat producers can listen to a diverse range of expert speakers present webinars and podcasts to aid on-farm decision making. Plus, producers will find relevant resources and MLA programs to continue their learning journey.

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25 recent

October 26, 2026Episode 543 min

A guide to ewe containment feeding with Deb Scammell

If you are looking at building a new containment system, or refining the set-up you already have, make sure to tune into this month's episode of the Productivity and Profitability Media Podcast Deb Scammell has spent years helping Australian sheep producers use containment feeding more effectively, first as a drought management tool, and now it is being used increasingly more by producers to protect pasture and improve ewe performance throughout the season. Working with producers across South Australia, Debs specialises in how the right setup can make a real difference to the way a business operates. Her work has shown that containment is about more than keeping sheep off paddocks when feed is short. It can help producers maintain ewe condition, improve lamb marking rates and give pasture the opportunity to recover ahead of lambing. But getting it right takes more than building a set of pens. Deb works with producers to get the fundamentals right, from location to feeding systems and ration formulation through to water supply, mineral balance and knowing when to bring ewes in and, just as importantly, let them back out. Her research has also highlighted the importance of ewe health, including mineral deficiencies and the risks of overfeeding and getting the balance between grain and roughage wrong. This episode is full of tips and advice for getting containment feeding right. Deb shares what she has learnt from years of working with containment systems, including the mistakes she sees most often and the management decisions that can make the biggest difference to the outcome. MLA Resources. Containment feeding resources MLA Resource: Increasing production using containment areas MLA Resource: Producer demonstration site information BIGG Resources: Ewe containment BIGG Resources: Ewe containment videos SA Drought Hub resources: Livestock and fodder management 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

September 21, 2026Episode 430 min

Building flexibility into a WA sheep business with Moojepin Merinos

Hamish Thompson from Moojepin Merinos has spent the past few years building more flexibility into a sheep business operating in a challenging part of Western Australia. Farming Merino sheep alongside cropping, Hamish has invested heavily in containment, feed production and genetics to give the business more options when the season turns against them. After a run of tough seasons, the Thompson family made a significant change to the way they managed their sheep. In 2021, they invested around $100,000 in a containment system for about 2,000 ewes, giving them a way to hold sheep off the paddocks, bank feed and make better use of the season as it unfolded. Hamish Thompson says he wishes they had done it 30 years earlier. Moojepin have also maintained a strong focus on measurement and recording, which has helped them select sheep that can perform across both wool and meat production under drought conditions. Hamish also discusses where he thinks the future of Agriculture is going. With new approaches to measuring eating quality emerging, he sees an opportunity for producers to be paid for the quality of the product they produce, rather than its weight. In this episode, Hamish shares how the Thompson family has built more flexibility into their sheep enterprise and why he believes the industry needs to keep looking ahead as the markets evolve. Further resources: The WA Sheep Transition Hub compiles resources, information and links associated with the phase-out of live sheep exports by sea. The Hub is designed to support business decisions by providing clear, practical and evidence-based information to help producers navigate the transition and adapt with confidence. https://www.mla.com.au/research-and-development/wa-sheep-transition-hub/ 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

August 25, 2026Episode 31 hr 0 min

Virtual fencing in Australian beef systems

Long before virtual fencing became available, Michael Gooden from OId Man Creek was measuring grass, matching stocking rate to carrying capacity and building a cattle breeding programme around animals that could thrive in a pasture-based system. On a mixed farming operation west of Wagga Wagga, Michael has spent the past two decades refining his grazing management using high-frequency cell grazing with temporary polywire. In early 2026, Michael transitioned to virtual fencing using Halter collars across 190 animals and has changed from driving to the farm for every-other-day shifts to two or three moves a day from a cafe in Wagga Wagga. Michael says, however, that virtual fencing is not a replacement for good grazing knowledge. The technology only works as well as the underlying understanding behind it, and Michael is quick to point out that the fundamentals of feed budgeting, recovery rates and animal demand have not changed. What has changed is the speed and precision with which those decisions can now be implemented, and the flexibility it creates in managing variable feed supply through the season. 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

July 29, 2026Episode 236 min

Maximising eating quality and profitability in sheep with David Packer

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

June 29, 2026Episode 139 min

Controlling your controllables with Ken Solly

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

March 18, 2025Episode 2049 min

Fertility and fecundity in the Australian sheep flock between 2006 and 2019.

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

February 18, 2025Episode 1942 min

BredWell FedWell: Setting your breeding flock up for success

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.

December 17, 2024Episode 1847 min

Integrating Livestock into Mixed Farming: Summer Nutrition

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 ed@agpromanagement.com 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.

November 18, 2024Episode 1742 min

Natalee Johnston - Performing under Pressure

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.

October 20, 2024Episode 1620 min

Deb Scammell - Mineral Supplementation in Beef and Sheep

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.