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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23 recent
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.
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.
September 19, 2024Episode 1536 min
Mark Ferguson - Cattle complexity and change
Welcome to episode 15 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Matt Ferguson from NeXtgen Agri. Mark talks about the importance of embracing change to continue to be successful in agriculture. Your host, Tanisha Shields and Mark discuss exciting technologies including genomics, robotics, artificial intelligence, augmented reality and big data. They discuss the impact that these technologies have on agriculture currently and in the future. This episode introduces the concept of conducting a pre-mortem of your business to prepare for the future. To watch our webinar with Mark head to: Productivity & Profitability series | Meat & Livestock Australia (mla.com.au) Mark recommends the Book "Who Moved My Cheese" by Spencer Johnson within the podcast and your can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Who-Moved-My-Cheese-audiobook/dp/B07F7LS2ZW This episode is brought to you by Agrista in partnership with Meat and Livestock Australia.
September 4, 2024Episode 1438 min
Elke Hocking - Hot tips for top heifers
Welcome to episode 14 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Elke Hocking from Elke Hocking Consulting. Elke talks about the importance of measuring and monitoring to manage for reproductive success in heifers. Your host, Tanisha Shields and Elke discuss that by proactively managing weaner heifers to achieve critical mating weight targets and condition scores prior to joining (60% of SRW prior to heifer joining and 85-90% of SRW prior to second joining), beef businesses have the potential to improve the reproduction rates in their heifers and second calving cows. This episode covers that by developing an annual management and health plan for their beef business, producers can optimise the health and welfare of their animals, reduce mortality rates in their herd, achieve target liveweights and realise the genetic potential of their herd. To watch our webinar with Elke head to: Productivity & Profitability series | Meat & Livestock Australia (mla.com.au) To find out about the project head to: https://www.mackillopgroup.com.au/blog/reproductive-health-and-management-practices-for-beef-heifers/1577113 More information about condition scoring cattle can be found here: https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/content/uploads/2021/07/BCSG_A6_FINAL.pdf https://youtu.be/DzOLbANRa_0?si=eYgKVYjjvMSpOB1v Other links to resources to provide more information on this topic are: Final Report: https://www.mla.com.au/research-and-development/reports/2024/p.psh.1280---pds-reproductive-health-and-management-practices-for-beef-heifers/ More Beef from Pastures manuals: https://mbfp.mla.com.au/ https://paraboss.com.au/annual-program/western-victoria-and-south-australia/ https://www.mla.com.au/extension-training-and-tools/tools-calculators/Cost-of-production/ This episode is brought to you by Agrista in partnership with Meat and Livestock Australia.
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