Data driven sheep breeding with James Trowbridge

Head Shepherd

Head Shepherd
Data driven sheep breeding with James Trowbridge
May 24, 2026 Season 2026 Episode 284
Mark Ferguson

This week on the podcast, Ferg introduces James Trowbridge, the newest consultant to join the neXtgen Agri team.

James grew up in South Australia working alongside his parents, Margie and Bill Trowbridge, in both Merinos and the family artificial breeding business. After working across a range of farming and agribusiness roles around Australia, James now joins the neXtgen Agri team, bringing with him a strong practical background in sheep production and genetics.

If you want to get James on your team, get in touch at: james@nextgenagri.com

Head Shepherd is brought to you by neXtgen Agri International Limited

We help livestock farmers get the most out of the genetics they farm with. Get in touch with us if you would like to hear more about how we can help you do what you do best: info@nextgenagri.com.

Thanks to our sponsors at MSD Animal Health and Allflex, Heiniger Australia and New Zealand, and ProWay Livestock Equipment. Please consider them when making product choices, as they are instrumental in enabling us to bring you this podcast each week.

Check out the MSD range HERE

Check out Allflex products HERE

Check out Heiniger's product range HERE

Check out ProWay's product range HERE

Episode Artwork Data driven sheep breeding with James Trowbridge 17:03 Episode Artwork Genomic data management and the future of breeding values with Dan Garrick 55:59 Episode Artwork Lessons learned from LambEx with Jane Kellock 26:22 Episode Artwork How to run a farm business your bank trusts, with Matt Hood 1:01:53 Episode Artwork Feet, finances and faster genetic gain with Chad Taylor from Mumblebone 43:25 Episode Artwork Turning lamb data into profit with Will Barton 47:46 Episode Artwork What practical mental health support looks like in the shearing industry with Carol Mudford 44:36 Episode Artwork Breeding seedstock for tough country at Hazeldean, with Bea Litchfield 26:43 Episode Artwork Key tips for improving the reproductive performance of your beef herd with Dr Shane Thomson 42:38 Episode Artwork Fat, fertility and the genetics of cow performance with Professor Wayne Pitchford 41:50 Episode Artwork Lifetime Ewe Management, leadership and the legacy that changed sheep farming, with Mark, Darren and Andrew [PODCASTHON] 1:02:21 Episode Artwork Using Genomics to Improve Heifer Selection in Commercial Beef Herds 37:01 Episode Artwork Understanding the wool industry pipeline with Shannon Donoghue 27:28 Episode Artwork 40 years of sheep selection lessons: worm resistance, longevity and performance with Allan Richardson 40:06 Episode Artwork Ferg’s thoughts on the 25/26 ram sale season, how to buy a good ram and why breeding values matter. 26:27 Episode Artwork Why you can't miss LambEx26 with Jamie Heinrich 20:55 Episode Artwork Leading The New Zealand Merino Company into its next chapter with Angus Street 58:14 Episode Artwork Breeding Romneys for the rain at Kaituna Ridges 59:08 Episode Artwork Lessons from moving sheep genetics around the world with Ian McDougall 55:13 Episode Artwork How innovation is changing the wool industry with Sam Wan 33:00 Episode Artwork Practical breeding strategies for commercial cattle producers with Carel Teseling 1:00:55 Episode Artwork Ferg's thoughts on genetic gain 25:39 Episode Artwork Selecting for worm resistance in low-challenge systems with Swabtec 37:40 Episode Artwork Individual ewe performance and the future of sheep productivity with Tara Dwyer 43:54 Episode Artwork Results from the 'Genetics of foot health in Merinos' project with Gus Rose 32:06