Pastoral Poddy
The Pastoral Poddy is a podcast for landholders, community members and industry on all things pertinent to the rangelands of Western NSW. We hope you enjoy listening to the stories as told by landholders, ag advisors and industry representatives, as much as we enjoyed developing them!
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Going Ahead with Goats series
Data driven decisions in a commercial goat enterprise - with James Nalder
In this episode, we discuss the rapid genetic gains in goat farming with James Nalder, who along with his wife Emma, ventured into commercial goat farming in 2020. In this episode, host Kieran Smith covers James' involvement with the Kids Plus Project, data collection using eID tags, pregnancy scanning, worm control and goat management practices at their property near Coonamble, NSW. James shares his insights on the advantage of goat farming, the importance of controlled breeding, and the future potential of the goat industry.
Improving rangeland goat's genetics and the landscape - with Andrew Mosely
In this episode, we explore the benefits of using goats for landscape management at Etiwanda Station, in Western NSW. Join host, Kieran Smith and farmer Andrew Mosely, as they discuss running goats alongside cattle and sheep to diversify income and regenerate the land using holistic grazing methods. Discover insights into goat breeding, electric fencing, and rotational systems, along with practical tips for managing worms and handling goats with working dogs. This episode offers valuable advice for both experienced and aspiring goat producers.
A processor perspective - Thomas Foods Bourke Abattoir - with Paul Leonard
In this episode, Paul Leonard, the National Livestock Manager at Thomas Foods Interntional (TFI), chats with our host Kieran Smith. Learn about TFI's operations at the Bourke Abattoir, goat meat processesing, market demands, supply chain complexities, and export strategies. We discover some challenges faced in managing labour, logistics, and the impact of fencing programs. Join us in the conversation about the importance of sustainability, consumer preferences, and future opportunities in the goat meat industry.
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 Granleese, a research officer in quantitative genetics with the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Tom is the project lead for the Measured Goats project, which is likely to become the largest goat genetics project in the world. Join our host, Kieran Smith in this episode as we learn about the project, how to set breeding objectives in a commercial goat enterprise, as well as breeding your own bucks on-farm.
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 fill customer orders. This episode looks at the vital role of goat depots, challenges faced, and insights on industry professionalism. Our host, Kieran Smith, speaks with Rob Newton, a goat depot operator who reflects on his past, shares his daily routine, aspirations and offers advice to newcomers.
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, benefitting both landholders and the environment. In this episode, our host Kieran Smith explores the evolving goat industry over the past two decades, examining historical and current trapping and mustering methods, and uncovering valuable insights from rotational grazing practices.
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 of future development. Dive deep into topics such as using goats for woody weed control, weaning and educating goats, as well as some learnings along the way.
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 achieveable and is a great way to buffer against some of the fluctuations of prices seen in the commodity market. Join us with host Kieran Smith in this podcast where he shares the story of a goat producer who has done just that.
Carbon farming series
Carbon markets in the NSW rangelands
This episode looks at opportunities and challenges facing landowners in participating in carbon projects. With insights from experts and farmers, we learn about the key factors and the importance of staying informed for future market developments in rangelands. Tune in for a captivating discussion on the potential of carbon markets to shape regenerative land management.
Soil carbon in the NSW rangelands
This episode looks at health in rangelands and holistic land management approaches. It explores the significance of soil organic matter, carbon levels, and practical tips from experts in regenerative agriculture. We learn about adaptive land management practices and observing natural patterns to prevent erosion, promote groundcover, and enhance landscape health for long-term rehydration and rehabilitation.
Kangaroo series
Kangaroo management — seeking a way forward
With focuses varying from economics to morals to conservation issues, it can be challenging to find common ground on kangaroos. In this episode, we’ll hear from an ecologist, the industry and the government about some new strategic initiatives that aim to give a voice to these diverse groups. We’ll see how education, consultation and innovation can be part of the solution. Tune in to hear how a predictive tool for kangaroo populations and new adaptive approaches could help advance kangaroo management in Australia.
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. In this episode, we’ll talk to indigenous community members about what kangaroo harvesting means to them and some of the challenges they face. Join us to hear some ideas of how the industry and government can help improve community access and involvement through the use of cultural tags as well as providing work opportunities for indigenous people.
Kangaroos and drought
Drought is a stressful time for any farmer trying to balance competing business, livestock and landscape demands. Kangaroos also struggle in drought with inevitable dehydration and starvation from lack of food and water. Join us to see how the use of new tools and how being proactive instead of reactive, will help both landholders and kangaroos in this challenging situation.
Understanding kangaroo grazing pressure
Managing total grazing pressure on your property is challenging, particularly from unmanaged animals. As landholders in Western NSW know, kangaroo numbers can fluctuate very quickly across individual properties, uprooting and damaging plants and negatively impacting the land. Research is addressing this challenge, focusing on a positive outcome for both production and biodiversity. Join us in this episode as we talk to a farmer and see how he is better managing kangaroo numbers on his property using this new research.
Kangaroo management — It's complicated
Kangaroo management is a complicated, nationwide issue that involves many diverse stakeholders. In this episode, we’ll talk to an ecologist and an academic to better understand the complex issues surrounding kangaroo management, including diverse approaches such as translocation, fertility control, culling and commercial harvesting. We'll also hear from a researcher who’s looking for solutions by developing a tool for land managers to forecast kangaroo numbers.
Series 2
Groundcover management in cropping systems
Groundcover and stubble retention in cropping enterprises is really important for managing soil erosion in western NSW. In this episode we’ll talk to a soil conservationist about how to avoid dust storms and we’ll hear from a farmer who’s trying a few innovative things like planting into a dry riverbed to manage his groundcover and look after his soils.
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. Our guests in this episode all agree that the key is to know the plants on your patch so you can match them with the right grazing strategies.
The benefits of managing total grazing pressure
In this episode we’ll talk to some industry experts about the benefits and some strategies to get on top of total grazing pressure. And we’ll hear from a farmer about one strategy that was so successful it even got addictive.
Rehydrating the rangelands
Before you get out any tools, rehabilitating the rangelands starts with having an awareness of our impact on landscape function and prioritising what’s achievable. The guests in this episode all agree that focusing on landscape rehabilitation is not only good for the land, but also for their own health too, especially during tough times.
Where to from here? Continuing to grow the goat industry
For parts of Western NSW, goats a key source of farm income. To take advantage of this growing opportunity, many producers are transitioning toward semi-managed or managed systems. So, what lessons can be learned from other livestock sectors?
Series 1
Pregnancy scanning
Only about half of all ewes in Australia get pregnancy scanned. Why is that? In this episode we explore how scanning can help you make more informed management decisions to improve your lambing percentages.
Pre-lambing nutrition
In this episode we look at pre-lambing nutrition because a healthy ewe is going to give her lambs the best chance of survival. We hear from industry experts with all the facts and figures, and we'll talk to a landholder who's experienced first-hand when nutrition is out of balance.
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. Join us for this episode as we take a look at ewe reproduction strategies.
Weaner management
From the moment we're born we are 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. Join us for this episode where we take a look at weaner management and hear from a farming couple why a good quality feed cart is the key to not only a successful feeding operation but a happy marriage as well.
Farming goats
Have you ever thought about farming goats? Did you know Australia is a global powerhouse in exporting goat meat, ranking number 1 while export prices have had almost uninterrupted growth over the last four years. In this episode we explore the ins and outs of harvesting unmanaged rangeland goats versus managed goats to help you take advantage of a growing opportunity.
More information
Contact Gemma Turnbull, Agriculture Team Leader on (02) 6870 8632 or gemma.turnbull@lls.nsw.gov.au.