PODCAST · science
Pastoral Poddy
by Western Local Land Services
A must listen podcast for pastoralists. Providing stories, insights and research from farmers and experts to support farm productivity and healthy environments. Practical information for the management of sheep and goats.This podcast shares the stories of the arid and semi-arid areas of New South Wales commonly referred to as ‘rangelands’ and the management principles that underlie the sustainable utilisation of these areas by extensive grazing industries including livestock management, grazing pressure and rangeland rehabilitation.Produced by the Grow Love Project for Western LLS.
Episodes
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The story beneath our feet: understanding rangeland soils
What can your soil tell you about how your country is functioning? In this episode of the Pastoral Poddy, host Edgars Greste speaks with soil scientist Karl Anderson about what makes rangeland soils unique and how rainfall, landscape position and soil type influence productivity. Karl explores…
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Sheep emissions: less is more for breeding an efficient flock
Can sheep be bred to produce less methane without sacrificing productivity? In this episode of the Pastoral Poddy, host Edgars Greste speaks with Ed Clayton, Livestock Research Officer with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, about the science and practical…
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Good Neighbours EP 4: The Good Neighbours effect: Tackling pests, weeds, and building resilience
In this episode of The Pastoral Potty, host Edgar Greste sits down with Brendan Cullen, who manages a 60,000 hectare sheep and cattle station southeast of Broken Hill, alongside Matt Kennedy from the Good Neighbours Program. Together, they explore the importance of coordinated pest and weed...
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Good Neighbours EP 3: Beyond the fence line: Pest animal control and the power of FeralScan
How do you manage animals that don't recognise fence lines or property boundaries? Across New South Wales, vertebrate pests like feral pigs, deer, rabbits and foxes are causing millions of dollars in damage to agriculture every year, destroying crops, competing with livestock and impacting…
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Good Neighbours EP 2: Smarter weed control beyond spraying
Herbicides have long been the go-to for weed control, but what happens when they’re no longer enough? In this episode, we explore biological control and how it works alongside traditional methods to create more sustainable, long-term solutions. Featuring insights from NSW DPIRD and Local Land...
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Good Neighbours EP 1: Tackling invasive species together
Are you concerned about invasive weeds or pests on your place? This four-part series focuses on working with neighbours to manage weeds and pests across boundaries in the rangelands. This episode features Local Land Services’ Dale Kirby and Matt Kennedy, from the NSW Government’s Good Neighbours...
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Good Neighbours Series Trailer
Are you concerned about invasive weeds or pests on your place? This four-part series focuses on working with neighbours to manage weeds and pests across boundaries in the rangelands as part of the NSW Government’s Good Neighbours Program.
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Where Do Goats Really Graze? Inside a Western NSW Research Project
Where do goats really spend their time in a paddock, and what can technology tell us about their behaviour? In this episode of the Pastoral Poddy, Kieran Smith speaks with Dr Jamie Barwick from the University of New England about a research project tracking goat movements across Western New South...
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Goat Reproduction Under the Microscope: New Research from Western NSW
What diseases are quietly impacting goat reproduction in Australia, and what should producers be watching for? Veterinarian and researcher Lauren Eggins joins host Kieran Smith to discuss groundbreaking research into reproductive performance and disease exposure in managed rangeland goats across...
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Turning Sheep Data Into Decisions: eID Technology and Productivity
What if every sheep could tell you more about its performance, profitability and potential? Electronic Identification (eID) tags are becoming a major focus for Australian sheep producers, but the opportunities go well beyond meeting regulatory requirements. In this episode of The Pastoral Poddy…
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The Silent Thief: Ovine Brucellosis & Smarter Ram Management with vet Scott Parry
Ovine brucellosis is often called the “silent thief” of sheep production—and for good reason. In this episode of The Pastoral Poddy, host Kieran Smith sits down with Western LLS veterinarian Scott Parry to unpack how this bacterial disease quietly impacts ram fertility, lambing percentages, and...
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Goats Series Ep 13 - Meat Science and meeting customer needs with Prof. Pete McGilchrist
In this episode, host Kieran Smith from Western Local Land Services talks with Professor Pete McGilchrist from the University of New England about recent insights from the world’s largest goat meat science research project conducted in NSW. They discuss the challenges and opportunities within the...
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Goat Series: Ep 12 - Embracing Opportunities through Goat Trading with Jack Hammond
In this episode of the Going Ahead with Goats podcast, host Kieren Smith interviews Jack Hammond, who entered the goat industry five years ago after purchasing Ashleigh Downs Station. They discuss Jack’s journey from mustering to managing a 52,000-acre station, trading, and finishing smaller…
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Emissions in the Rangelands
This episode looks at what carbon emissions means for landholders in the rangelands. We learn about how it affects market access, what ways you could see a premium, and how it affects agricultural productivity. There are many questions in the region about rangeland carbon emissions, listen in to...
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Natural Capital in the NSW Rangelands
This episode looks at natural capital and what it means for landholders in the rangelands. We learn about the new Nature Repair Market, ways to measure natural capital, and what some of the drivers for investment are. Tune in to learn more about expert insights into the benefits and challenges of...
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Goat Series: Ep 11 - Worm control in goats - With Kathryn Dawson
In this episode of the Going Ahead with Goats podcast series, host Kieran Smith chats with Kathryn Dawson, a PhD candidate at the University of Queensland, about the impact of gastrointestinal nematodes (worms) on goat health and productivity. Kathryn shares her research on worm prevalence across...
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Goat Series: Ep 10 - Goat Grazing Management in the Rangelands - With Trudie Atkinson
In this episode of 'Going Ahead with Goats,' host Kieran Smith chats with Trudie Atkinson, Technical Specialist for Grazing Systems with NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development . They discuss what it is about goats that makes them so well adapted to grazing in Western NSW...
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Goat Series: Ep 9 - Measuring Profitability of Goat Businesses - with Tanisha Shields, Agrista
In this episode of 'Going Ahead with Goats,' host Kieran Smith chats with Tanisha Shields from Agrista. They discuss cost of production, characteristics of top-performing goat enterprises, and benchmarking benefits. Tanisha shares insights from her work, highlighting how genetic improvements,...
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Goat Series: Ep 8 - Data driven decisions in a commercial goat enterprise - with James Nalder
In this podcast episode, host Kieren Smith discusses the rapid genetic gains in goat farming with James Nalder, who, along with his wife Emma, ventured into commercial goat farming in 2020. The episode covers James' involvement with the Kids Plus Project, data collection using EID tags, pregnancy...
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Goat Series: Ep 7 - Improving rangeland goats genetics and the landscape - with Andrew Mosely
This episode looks at the benefits of using goats for landscape management at Etiwanda Station, in Western New South Wales. Join host Kieren Smith and farmer Andrew Mosey as they discuss running goats alongside cattle and sheep to diversify income and regenerate the land using holistic grazing...
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Goat Series: Ep 6 - A processor perspective - Thomas Foods Bourke Goat Abattoir with Paul Leonard
This episode of the Going Ahead with Goats podcast series, hosted by Kieren Smith, features Paul Leonard, the National Livestock Manager at Thomas Foods International (TFI). Learn about TFI's operations at the Bourke Abattoir, goat meat processing, market demands, supply chain complexities, and...
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Goat Series: EP 5 - Genetic selection of goats using data - with Dr. Tom Granleese
With rising cost of production and increasing land values, the cost price squeeze is continuing in agriculture. There is pressure to increase productivity and profitability within all livestock industries and breeding and genetics is one way to improve this. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Tom...
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Goat Series: EP 4 - Running a goat depot and managed goat enterprise - with Rob Newton
Goat depots play an integral part in the goat supply chain, providing landholders with an option to offload goats locally, even if they have small numbers. These depots work closely with processors, ensuring a continual supply of goats throughout the year, often within specific weight ranges to...
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Goat Series: EP 3 - Transitioning to a goat rotational grazing system - with Sam LeLievre
In NSW, landholders have long been capturing and more recently, managing nomadic rangeland goats, descendants of early settlers' breeds, which roam freely across the landscape. This shift in management allows for better control over stocking rates and grazing pressure, benefiting both landholders...
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Goat Series: EP 2 - From Live Exports to Life in Western NSW - with Fiona Lander
Step into the world of goat production with host Kieran Smith as he engages in insightful conversations with Fiona Lander from Marra Station, NSW. Explore the intricacies of goat management practices, the hurdles faced, the importance of community engagement, and the exciting prospects for future...
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Goat Series: EP 1 - The Journey of a Paddock to Plate Goat Meat Business - with the Gourmet Goat Lady
Many producers dream of cutting out the middleman and selling their own branded meat products direct to consumers. For most though, the thought stops at the farm gate, once they realise the many complexities of this business model. However, having a paddock to plate business model is achievable…
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Going Ahead with Goats - Trailer
We're very excited to bring you a podcast series dedicated to learning more about the goat industry. In this series we showcase some of the individuals and enterprises that make up the goat meat supply chain. Tune in each week as we bring you conversations with people within the goat industry…
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Carbon Markets in the NSW Rangelands
Welcome back to a two-part episode on carbon in the rangelands. In the last episode, we covered some soil carbon fundamentals. And in this episode, we're looking at opportunities and challenges facing landowners in participating in carbon projects. With insights from experts and farmers, we learn...
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Soil Carbon in the NSW Rangelands
Welcome to a special two part edition of the Pastoral Poddy, focusing on carbon in the rangelands. Western Local Land Services recently held an event on this topic. And for those who couldn't make it, we've gathered a panel of speakers to jam pack all the best bits into the podcast. This episode...
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Kanga series: EP 5 - Kangaroo Management - Seeking a way forward
Throughout this special series on kangaroo management, we’ve unpacked a range of issues around this wicked challenge. From landowners, conservation groups and the indigenous community to wildlife advocates, industry and the general public, everyone has a different view and story to tell. With...
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Kanga series: EP 4 - Traditional Owners and Kangaroos
Kangaroos have a cultural and spiritual significance for Aboriginal people, being a totem for some and a source of food and clothing for many. Tune in to learn about the diversity of views that Aboriginal people have about kangaroo management. When caring for country, they use a holistic,...
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Kanga series: EP 3 - Kangaroos and Drought
Drought is a stressful time for any farmer trying to balance competing business, livestock and landscape demands. In this episode, we’ll hear from a farmer about his experience living through the latest drought with unmanaged, overabundant kangaroos on his property. Kangaroos also struggle in...
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Kanga series: EP 2 - Understanding kangaroo grazing pressure
Do you struggle with managing Total Grazing Pressure on your property, particularly from unmanaged animals? You're not alone. It can be overwhelming for many landowners in Western NSW to manage their livestock and deal with the challenges of other animals like goats and kangaroos. Kangaroo…
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Kanga series: EP 1 - Kangaroo management - it's complicated
Kangaroo management is a complicated, nationwide issue that involves many diverse stakeholders. From landholders to the kangaroo industry to animal welfare groups and everyone else in between, it impacts people across Australia. In this first episode, we’ll talk to an ecologist and an academic to...
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Groundcover management in cropping systems
Ground cover and stubble retention in cropping enterprises is really important for managing soil erosion in western NSW. Dust storms caused by wind erosion not only have a big impact on agricultural productivity but also on towns and cities where dust is quite literally a dirty word. So in this...
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The power of perennials
In western NSW, managing perennial grasses, trees and shrubs is key to maintaining healthy landscapes and resilience for your grazing operation. Perennials have deep root systems that help with soil health and stability. They can tap into available soil nutrients, enhance biodiversity and capture...
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The benefits of managing total grazing pressure
For a lot of farmers in Western NSW, the sheer scale of managing total grazing pressure in the rangelands can be really overwhelming, not to mention expensive. But it is really important to help maintain the proper functioning of ecosystems to maximise profitability and regeneration. And the...
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Rehydrating the rangelands
The rangelands of Western NSW can be a challenging place to farm in. Historical overgrazing has caused major dust storms and erosion and with farmers having just been through one of the toughest droughts in living memory, repairing landscapes to be rain ready is critical. From grading contours to...
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Where to from here? Continuing to grow the goat industry
Did you know that NSW has the largest rangeland goat population in Australia? For part of Western NSW, they’re a key source of farm income. Goats are a hardy animal well suited to the rangelands and whilst the last drought was tough on everyone, goat numbers. have rebounded from 2.4 to 6.8…
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Farming goats
Have you ever thought about farming goats? Did you know Australia is globally the number 1 exporter of goat meat with export prices seeing almost uninterrupted growth over the last 4 years. So in this episode we’re going to explore the ins and outs of wild harvesting versus managed goats to help...
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Sheep farming - Weaner management
From the moment we’re born we’re constantly learning. The same goes for ewe weaners who have to get through birth, learn to walk and graze, drink milk, and avoid predators. There’s a lot of new things happening and plenty that can go wrong. And we’ll hear from a farming couple why a good quality...
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Sheep farming - Ewe reproduction strategies
Did you know that lamb mortality costs the sheep industry about half a billion dollars a year? Some of that is unavoidable. Its natural. But a big part of it comes down to managing the reproduction cycle. So in episode 3 we’re talking about the secrets to successful reproduction strategies.…
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Sheep farming - Pre-lambing nutrition
In episode 2 we’re looking at pre-lambing nutrition because a healthy ewe is going to give her lambs the best chance of survival. We’ll hear from industry experts with all the facts and figures and we’ll talk to a farmer who's experienced first hand when nutrition is out of balance. Western Local...
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Sheep farming - Pregnancy scanning
Only about half of all ewes in Australia get pregnancy scanned. Why is that? In episode 1 we explore how scanning can help you make more informed management decisions to improve your lambing percentages to rebuild and maintain your flock numbers. Western Local land Services Sheep and Goat Farming...
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Pastoral Poddy trailer
Podcast host Edgars Greste chats with Gemma Turnbull from Western LLS about what you can expect to hear from this new podcast.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A must listen podcast for pastoralists. Providing stories, insights and research from farmers and experts to support farm productivity and healthy environments. Practical information for the management of sheep and goats.This podcast shares the stories of the arid and semi-arid areas of New South Wales commonly referred to as ‘rangelands’ and the management principles that underlie the sustainable utilisation of these areas by extensive grazing industries including livestock management, grazing pressure and rangeland rehabilitation.Produced by the Grow Love Project for Western LLS.
HOSTED BY
Western Local Land Services
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Pastoral Poddy have?
Pastoral Poddy currently has 45 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Pastoral Poddy about?
A must listen podcast for pastoralists. Providing stories, insights and research from farmers and experts to support farm productivity and healthy environments. Practical information for the management of sheep and goats.This podcast shares the stories of the arid and semi-arid areas of New South...
How often does Pastoral Poddy release new episodes?
Pastoral Poddy has 45 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Pastoral Poddy?
You can listen to Pastoral Poddy on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Pastoral Poddy?
Pastoral Poddy is created and hosted by Western Local Land Services.
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