Show Notes
This week on the Head Shepherd podcast we have Ryan Maclean, based in North West Scotland. Ryan and Mark met through a mutual friend and sheep scanner Daniel Wheeler.
Ryan was raised on a beef and sheep farm in Scotland, where he is running around 1,000 ewes and 120 breeding cattle between himself and his father. He runs predominately Cheviot sheep, with some crossed to a Texel. They also have a pedigree Limousins and Belted Galloway herds.
Ryan however, spends most of his time off farm following the seasonal cycle of farming with his contracting business. Sheep and cattle pregnancy scanning, sheep shearing, lambing and calving plus crop work. He says it works well when the seasons play ball, but there isn't much time to spare when they don't.
He first picked up his handpiece when he was around 15 and now has his own shearing run where he covers around 55,000 sheep a year.
Ryan spent time in Australia and New Zealand shepherding and shearing, claiming his 200 Merinos in a day a few years ago- one of his best days in farming that really stands out for Ryan.
Mark and Ryan discuss the differences in farming around the world, and across individual countries, and how this can open your eyes to different farming systems and what works, and more importantly, what doesn't.
Genetics is inevitably covered and it is always interesting to hear what different types of animals are required for different environments. With nearly 2,900mm rainfall, the Macleans breed for high fat and a smaller adult weight in both cattle and sheep. And with a "9 month winter", Body Condition Score is something Ryan is also interested in. It is essential their sheep can stack on weight in summer and hold it through winter.
Ryan has also been keeping track of his shedding Cheviots "Ironic, from a sheep shearer really". He hasn't selected for it but some in the breed naturally shed wool, so it's something he keeps note of.
As always, this is another great podcast with a young farmer with passion and drive to make a change.
Growing Ewe Masterclass
We will be running our third cohort of the Growing Ewe Masterclass in March, 2022. If you would like to find out more, contact us at info@nextgenagri.com
Check out The Hub
thehub.nextgenagri.com
Our community where our members have the opportunity to keep up to date with everything we are working on.
Thanks to our Sponsors
Allflex Livestock Intelligence is the leader in the design, development, manufacturing, and delivery of animal monitoring, identification, and traceability solutions. Their data-driven solutions are used by farmers to manage animals. By putting intelligent, actionable information into farmers’ hands, their solutions empower them to act in a timely manner for optimal outcomes.
A big thank you to our sponsors, Allflex Livestock Intelligence and MSD Animal Health Intelligence
www.allflex.global/nz/
Check out The Hub
thehub.nextgenagri.com
Our community where our members have the opportunity to keep up to date with everything we are working on.
Comments & Upvotes