The Sheep Show Podcast with Jill & Andrew Noble

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If your ewes paid the rent what would they need to generate to cover that cost, what do you generate per acre and we are not talking stock rates here. 

In this episode we explore several economic equations that work for us and that might work for you. We also cover other measures to track which might suit your enterprise even better? You can't manage what you don't measure! 

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Who knew! Red meat and lamb is protein packed, nutrient dense and good for us! 

In this chatty ep we explore Jill's new role as an Meat and Livestock Australian Red Meat Ambassador and what bang for our buck we get when we consume lamb! We also talk about eat lamb in restaurants and hotels including the amazing Slieve Russell Hotel in County Cavan!

https://www.mla.com.au/marketing-beef-and-lamb/mla-ambassadors-for-the-red-meat-industry-program/

https://www.checkyourfood.com/ingredients/ingredient/554/lamb-leg-boneless

https://w...

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Two countries, two seasons and plenty of leanings. In this episode we reflect on the wins, the challenges and the decisions we'd change when it comes to lambing and joining. An honest unfiltered debrief with some hard truths and improvements for next year. We hope this helps you too!

Listening on Spotify? Leave a comment and share what changes you might make for 2027!

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What would selling direct do for your sheep enterprise? What would it do for your local community and economy? How can we keep things local in these challenging times? Well selling meat direct might be a genuine win,win,win - literally everyone benefits from this model of selling direct from a farm. 

In this episode we explore what this looks like both in Australia and Ireland and how you can get closer to your customer and share your love of lamb directly with the p...

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We know things are tough and sheep farming can have the smallest of margins for most of us so what are the leavers we have and what sucks the profit out of sheep farming? In this episode we explore the five main things that impact your profit when it comes to sheep farming.

Here are some of the formulas mentioned in the pod.

Lambs weaned divided by ewes joined x 100

150% excellent

120-130% good

under 110% needs focus/tweaking 

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So how do you make selections for self replacing ewes and rams, can you do this at the moment of birth and if so how can you track it so at weaning the selection decisions are simple, easy and quick. In this episode as we support Andrew who is thick into lambing and running on very little sleep and very little food (a bit like fuel reserves in Australia right now!), we discuss some options on how to make selection decisions early in your flock.

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Bottle fed lambs are cute but often not productive and a huge time suck so how can you get your ewes to do more of the heavy lifting. In this episode we explore the ways to foster and the tools that can be used to foster lambs into ewes. We chat about maiden ewes/hoggets in particular and why they are the often the secret sauce in your fostering tool kit - Enjoy!

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Andrew's game changer with sheep hooves, how to have 100% happy hooves 100% of the time with Jill's prevention measures and just how complex things can get with hooves and sheep. Enjoy this happy feet episode! 

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Parasites and sheep regardless of where you farm are a huge risk and a constant battle. We know about drenching and how to deal with parasites when they arise but can you predict parasites before they actually happen? In this episode we explore the parasite lifecycle, our go to product for dealing with parasites and how we can forecast and predict the parasite explosion before it impacts our sheep. 

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The most popular sheep in the UK with a huge range of options for breeding the Lanark sheep are turely an amazing breed. They are also the breed of sheep that Andrew breeds pure. So join us as we delve into the wonderful world of Lanark sheep in this fun filled (as always!) episode! 

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Recently Jill went through a Meat and Livestock Australia audit. Andrew has previously been through a Bord Bia farm inspection in Ireland. So what are farm audits all about and how can you prepare for one. We explore this and the opportunity that audits present in this episode. 

Some links that were mentioned in the episode:

https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/meat-safety-and-traceability/documents/livestock-production-assurance/record-keeping/lpa-audits/lpa-audit-checklist.pdf

https://www.integritysystems.com.au/siteassets/isc-lpa-audit---checklist---feb--2024.pdf

https://w...

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Weather conditions have been extreme for Andrew and I, probably just like you are facing right now.  In this episode we explore the impact of this on sheep, what we are dealing with and some strategies to help manage things during the extreme conditions as well as making the impact less on your sheep. Enjoy!

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Wherever you are in the world no doubt you are (or will be) facing challenges with your sheep at joining and in the final trimester of pregnancy. So in this ep we explore the main issues and what we do across our two hemispheres to deal with these issues and more importantly try to prevent them from happening. 

Prevention is always better than treatment but prevention is always possible either so it's prevention and preparation that are key!

PS if you do use d...

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If there was one thing to do this year it would be preg scanning. In this episode we explore Andrew's pregnancy scanning results. We discuss how he uses this info to make decisions about feed, management, selling/cash flow and selection of animals to keep for sale or breeding. Pregnancy scanning sheep is a must do activity to help you with so many decisions. 

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Ahh the challenge of farming with income once or twice a year and expenses all year round, with unpredictable weather, the difficulties of forecasting and projecting everything in sheep farming how can you create and sustain a stream of cash flowing into your sheep enterprise? In this episode from across two hemispheres we explore these challenges and more and look at solutions and strategies to prevent cash flow issues and also encourage steady, regular streams of cashflow into your sheep business. Enjoy! 

PS apologies about t...

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They say we only have about 30 good lambings if you are coming to farming as an adult in us but what if you did it twice a year! This is what Andrew and I have done in 2024 and 2025. So what did we learn, what is our plan and what are new going to change or improve for 2026. Join in the sibling sheep reflections on 2025 and planning for 2026 lambing. 

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So now that you know the pod is back and that you get a double dose with both of us you might be wondering how did we get here? 

What journey we both took to get into farming and sheep and how did we decide to do the pod together. We explore with some sibling banter and reminiscing along the way. Enjoy this first official episode of the relaunched podcast! 

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Merry Christmas and SURPRISE!! Yes the pod is returning after a (too long) break, and this time I'm not alone! I've got a co-host with me - yes Andrew, my brother, and I will now be co-hosting the pod! Want to get a double dose of sheep content this is your spot! Two flocks, two hemispheres, lambing twice a year with two Nobles - we can't wait to bring you a double helping of sheep chats in 2026! Join us on the journey, message us and get in...

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Samantha Wan was raised in Sydney's west but now farm's Merino wool sheep in Victoria's west. By day she is a wool broker for Elders and is also developing her own brand of wool clothing - a definite wool champion!

In this episode we explore Samantha's:

Wool Growing Process

Wool Quality & Marketing strategies 

Sustainability & Challenges with producing wool 

Innovation & The Future of wool 

Find her here:

h...

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You ask 10 people for their advice on a sheep matter and you get 100 different answers! Hey it's sheep math! But why are there so many conflicting suggestions advice and ideas when it comes to sheeping? In this episode we explore some of the reasons for this as well as offer some tools to help you analyse the advice you get so that it can be useful and helpful for you and your sheep!

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If you are new to sheep breeding you might tempted to breed rams from day 1. In this episode we explore all the things you need to know, do and get organised before you breed rams on your farm. Otherwise just put a ring on it!

#sheep

#sheepeducation

#wiltshirehornsheep

#farmingsheep

#rams

#thesheepshowpodcast

...

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What do you were for farming/sheeping and what do you wear for lambing? Here are my picks! Happy sheep clothing shopping!

https://www.hardyakka.com/au

https://rbsellars.com.au/collections/womens-workshirts

https://rbsellars.com.au/collections/workshirts

https://www.workwearhub.com.au/products/blundstone-womens-rotoflex-8860-high-zip-side-safety-boot-wheat?variant=40023461101707&country=AU¤cy=AUD&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=392075308&msclkid=7ed05ed48788168dd3ba393b52dd2674&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=B%20%7C%20Blundstone%20%7C%20Shopping&u...

Subscriber-only episode

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Is your farming partner as obsessed with sheep as you are? Probably not! So what causes these divides to occur in relationships, how does it impact us and our farming partner/life partner/husband/wife and what can we do about these differences. 

In this episode we explore the reality of sheeping and farming where the levels of sheep passion differ. It's raw but hopeful! 

Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content vi...

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Imagine sheepbreeding reimagined? That's what Jake Wolki, a farmer and producer from Albury NSW is doing? He never wanted sheep on his farm and now they are his favourite and most valuable source of revenue in his business. 

Jake never takes his rams out, wants to breed all year round and doesn't cull for some of the other traits most of might cull for. 

This episode will flip your thinking on traditional sheep breeding and farming and Jake is refreshing and innovative in hi...

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We know how amazing sheep vision is and how well adapted their eyes are but what about colour? Can they see colour and if so what ones? All is revealed in this rather colourful episode!

Links:

https://sheepcaretaker.com/sheep-vision/

https://open.spotify.com/show/6aL2KSW3eOhDeN1MexfnAK?si=V1jZaMumTBis_jmJ-r9Upw&nd=1&dlsi=9236278dd33e455b

https://www.instagram.com/roundwoodcheviotfarm/

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What if my neighbour doesn't manage their sheep like I do, are my sheep at risk of worms or disease? In this episode we explore the risks and realities and if we can do anything as preventative measures to reduce biosecurity risk that neighbouring sheep present. 

Link:

https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/south-east/latest-news-and-newsletters/newsletters/newsletter-issues/2019/october/good-fences-make-good-neighbours

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https://w...

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It was a snake bite! A common explanation for sudden death in sheep in Australia. What else causes sudden death in sheep and what can we do to prevent sudden death in our flocks.  

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One of my most passionate topics, there are so many benefits to breeding and keeping your ewe lambs. In this episode we explore all the benefits that you can get and the reasons to explore a self replacing flock with extreme benefits! 

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Subscriber-only episode

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Thermal and environmental stress impacts every sheep farmer and breeder. But does it have a silver lining? 

In this subscriber only episode we explore the challenges of having no rain for four months and what benefits it has provided. We also chat about how to prepare for the worst case environmental situation when sheeping. Enjoy and keep positive! 

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ht...

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Why do sheep have horns and some don't? What is the function of the horn and might it have an impact when we poll sheep? 

Let's talk all things sheep horns!!

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Do you see snot in your sheep? Nasal discharge can be worrying for us shepherds and there are a few reasons for nasal discharge. 

In this episode we explore what it is and what might cause it.

Some links

https://www.farmhealthonline.com/disease-management/sheep-diseases/cobalt-deficiency-in-sheep/

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Foxes prey on animals and kill lambs, they seem to enjoy the head and organs! In this episode we explore strategies and tools and I introduce a new member of the farm who I hope will help with the fight against the fox!

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I've been exploring some new opportunities for selling lamb meat recently and what do you know - we need to educate customers and think differently ourselves to make it work!

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Sheep framing is always a balancing act and getting ready for joining is no different. What do you need to balance and get right with your rams and ewes before joining - in this episode we explore this along with the other challenges we need to balance with sheep farming and breeding. 

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Subscriber-only episode

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A new year brings new opportunities but also new challenges. In this subscriber only episode we explore  why we do what we do and what helps us when the going gets tough. Enjoy!

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Back to the mother country (Ireland) and what do you do but farm! Here is what I picked up on my travels! Enjoy listening. 

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Head here to purchase Deb's book:  Website: www.debholmquist.com  or to Amazon 


Debut Author DEBBY JO HOLMQUIST Launches Captivating, Jaw Dropping Memoir, “A SHEPHERDESS BEATEN BUT NEVER BROKEN: A True Story of Resilience, Triumph, and Overcoming Adversity with Grace”

Paris, IL—On January 16th, 2025, first-time author Debby Jo Holmquist will release her debut memoir, “A SHEPHERDESS BEATEN BUT NEVER BROKEN: A True Story of Resilience, Triumph, and Overcoming Adversity with Grace.” 

This touching memoir chronicles her difficult ch...

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Homosexual behavior in sheep has been well documented and studied. The domestic sheep (Ovis aries) is the only species of mammal except for humans which exhibits exclusive homosexual behaviour.

https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn3008-homosexuality-is-biological-suggests-gay-sheep-study/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_sheep#cite_note-Bagemihl-21

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What are my sheep telling me through their body? What parts of the body communicate the most when it comes to sheep/

Links:
https://amazinganimalminds.com/how-can-you-tell-your-sheep-is-happy/
https://www.msdvetmanual.com/behavior/normal-social-behavior-and-behavioral-problems-of-domestic-animals/social-behavior-of-sheep

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Subscriber-only episode

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Do you have regrets when you look back on the year? I know I do! This is a trip down 2024 lessons and what I will not be repeating next year or hopefully ever! 

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