Productive Producer podcast series
The Productive Producer podcast series is designed specifically for producers across the Northern Tablelands.
All topics featured in the podcasts have a strong focus on production. Regardless of the theme, subjects are relatable to their practical application on farm.
The Productive Producer podcast series offers concepts and opinions on different aspects of production, some that producers will be familiar with, others that producers are looking into and would like to learn more about.
For more information about any of the podcasts in this series, please contact Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Livestock Officer, Max Newsome, on 0427 007 190.
The Productive Producer Podcast series is funded through the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.
You can subscribe to the Productive Producer through any of the platforms below.
Click on an episode below.
Episode 28: Foot and mouth disease and lumpy skin disease
Healthy livestock, free of major disease is one of Australia's greatest marketing tools. Foot and Mouth Disease and Lumpy Skin Disease are two diseases we don’t want on Australian shores. Listen in to the conversation with Glen Innes veterinarian Dr. Nigel Brown and learn more about these exotic diseases.
Episode 27: Chilean Needlegrass management
Chilean Needlegrass is impacting agricultural production across the Northern Tablelands. It is a prolific seeder and highly competitive, which is not ideal in a pasture. Listen in to the conversation with Department of Primary Industry experts Carol Harris and Bill Davidson, to learn about control and management options.
Launched in March 2021, Angus Verified is a program developed to provide assurance and integrity to the marketplace by verifying that a producer's claim of 'Angus,' is the genuine purebred article. Listen in to the conversation with Liz Pearson from Angus Australia to learn more.
Episode 25: Joining weaner ewes
The season is on the side of producers across the Northern Tablelands! This may open up the opportunity for sheep producers to look at joining their weaner ewe lambs. Listen in to the conversation with Sheep Solutions Consultant, Geoff Duddy, to see if this is the right choice for your operation.
Episode 24: Summer fodder crop considerations
T’is the season for growth across the Northern Tablelands and with a good season predicted, summer fodder crops may be on the cards. Listen in to the conversation with Local Land Services Agronomists, Georgie Oakes and Jeff Lowien, as they share some knowledge on the best approach for fodder crop management.
Episode 23: Bloat in livestock
Wetter than average conditions predicted this spring may increase the potential for bloat in livestock. Listen in to the conversation as North West Local Land Services District Vet, Ted Irwin, gives us some practical tips to mitigate the risk of bloat.
Serrated tussock is one of the greatest threats to Northern Tablelands grazing systems, providing no nutritional value to livestock and dramatically decreasing stocking rates. Listen in to the conversation as weeds experts Beth Brown, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Regional Weeds Coordinator, and Phil Blackmore, NSW DPI State Priority Weeds Coordinator, discuss how best to tackle this emerging threat.
Pesitvirus is widespread throughout Australian cattle herds. Infection can cause a variety of diseases impacting production. Listen in to the conversation with Veterinarians Dr. Lee Taylor from Zoetis and Dr. Nigel Brown, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services District Vet, to better understand this complex disease as well as practical steps for better management.
Episode 20: Tightening calving intervals
Within a cow-calf operation, a major profit driver is the number of calves weaned and, of those calves weaned, the evenness of the line. An even line of replacement females plays an important role in setting them up for a productive life as part of the breeding herd. In surplus female and male calves, an even line will also be beneficial as they grow to their desired market. Today’s guest is Jeff House who discusses the benefits of a tight calving interval as well as some practical steps to achieve this in your herd.
Episode 19: Mice contamination in hay
The mice plague continues across southern Queensland, New South Wales, and northern Victoria, having devastating impacts for producers. On today's episode of the Productive Producer, podcast Max Newsome, is joined once again by Northern Tablelands Local Land Services District Vet, Lisa Martin, to discuss mice contaminated hay and the options available to producers.
Episode 18: Livestock market forecast with Simon Quilty
Livestock prices are at record highs. Are they going to last? On today’s episode, I am joined by livestock market analyst, Simon Quilty. Simon chats about some of the factors at play within the global red meat industry. He also provides his forecast on the domestic sheep and beef prices.
As graziers continue to rebuild their herds, some producers may look at retaining a greater proportion of their weaner heifers. Listen into the conversation with Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Livestock Officer, Tahnee Manton, as we chat about some of the factors to consider when deciding which heifers to retain.
With the national flock rebuild under way, correct ram selection will play a critical role in the profitability of sheep flocks moving forward. Listen in to the conversation with Livestock Consultant, Ashley White, and Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Sheep Officer, Brent McLeod, as they outline considerations for ram selection, breeding objectives and discuss buying strategies.
Episode 15: Weaning lambs for success
Weaning lambs is often thought of as 'just another job', however there are some practices that can be implemented to help get the most out of the process. In this episode, Brent McLeod, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services, Livestock Officer - Sheep, chats about ways to help ensure a successful weaning.
Calf marking has come around again. Northern Tablelands Local Land Services District Vet, Dr Lisa Martin, has some great tips for graziers to manage this process.
Episode 13: The benefits of cross breeding in cattle
The herd rebuild continues across the Northern Tablelands as graziers begin to recover from the drought. This is providing the opportunity for graziers to assess different breeds and target markets as they go about restocking. Today’s guest is Jeff House from Jeff House livestock who discusses how cross breeding fits into the herd structure moving forward.
The wether trial has enabled Northern Tableland sheep breeders to benchmark the performance of their flocks against other producers in the district since it began in 1979. Listen in to the conversation as current participants John Chappell and Anthony Uren share their experiences.
Episode 11: Feeding poddy calves and lambs
With calves currently hitting the ground and spring lambing just around the corner, it is poddy season - even for the best of us. High stock prices really make it worth putting the work into looking after these motherless calves and lambs. Listen in to the conversation with Northern Tablelands Local Land Services District Vet ,Nigel Brown, who gives great tips and tricks for getting these poddies off to a good start in life.
Episode 10: Maximising production from dry standing feed
Late summer and early autumn rain came just in time for a bulk of feed to grow before winter. The cool temperatures have caused much of it to hay off and decrease in quality. Listen in to the conversation for some strategies for increasing livestock production from dry standing feed. On today’s conversation Teresa Hogan, Land Services Officer – Livestock, from Hunter LLS joins host Max Newsome to talk production tactics.
Episode 9: Winter crop grazing
As we enter the colder months, winter forage and dual-purpose crops are being grazed. On today's conversation, Georgie Oakes, Senior Agronomist at Northern Tablelands LLS, discusses some key considerations when grazing winter crops and how to get the most from them.
It’s that time of year again where bull sales are beginning to crank into gear. Listen into the conversation with guests, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services District Vet, Lisa Martin, and Livestock Officer, Tahnee Manton, as we discuss breeding objectives, buying strategies in the world of Covid-19, bull health and how to get the most out of your breeding enterprise.
Episode 7 (part 2): Preg scanning and purchased ewe management
This episode is Part 2 of the conversation above with Tim Lawrence, Reproduction Scanner, and Brent McLeod, Northern Tablelands LLS Senior Livestock Officer (Sheep). The conversation talks about management strategies and options for the different classes of ewes after preg scanning.
Episode 7 (part 1): Preg scanning and purchased ewe management
Across the Northern Tablelands many producers currently have their rams out joining. This episode discusses how graziers can best manage their flock from joining onwards to help ensure maximum production levels are achieved for 2020. Guests on this episode are Tim Lawrence, Reproduction Scanner, and back again is Brent McLeod, Northern Tablelands LLS Senior Livestock Officer (Sheep).
Episode 6: Livestock sales in the world of COVID-19
Covid-19 is impacting all aspects of our lives. This includes how we go about livestock sales and purchases. In this episode Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association CEO Peter Baldwin talks about Covid-19 restrictions at saleyards and what you need to know for your operation.
Episode 5: Pasture management moving forward
Pasture management is a critical factor in the profitability and production levels achieved in a grazing enterprise. Post drought rainfall has seen pastures respond at different rates and with varied levels of success. Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Agronomist, Jeff Lowien, and NSW DPI Research Scientist, Carol Harris, discuss management of these pastures moving forward.
Episode 4: Weeds impacting production in the Northern Tablelands
Producers invest a lot of time, effort and money in the control, prevention and management of weeds. The impact of weeds in Australian agriculture alone, is estimated to be $1.8 billion in control and $2.5 billion in lost production. In today’s episode, Northern Tablelands LLS District Agronomist, Jeff Lowein, and Regional Weeds Coordinator, Jonathon Lawson, talk weed management moving forward.
Episode 3: Summer/autumn livestock health
Optimising animal health is a driver of production and profitability in livestock enterprises. Northern Tablelands Local Land Services District Vet, Nigel Brown, chats about what he is seeing at the moment, what to be on the look out for and what needs to be managed in the coming months.
Episode 2: Winter forage crop considerations
Scattered rain across the region has producers looking at winter forage crops to aid in bridging the winter feed gap. In this episode, podcast host, Max Newsome, chats about winter crop options and considerations with two of the agronomists at Northern Tablelands Local Land Services - Georgie Oakes and Daniel White.
Episode 1: Managing flocks pre-joining
Joining of ewes in the Northern Tablelands is just around the corner. Today's guest, Brent McLeod Senior Land Services Officer - Sheep, discusses key considerations that producers need to be looking at to ensure successful conception levels are achieved.