Genetics in the Paddock with Emily

About Genetics in the Paddock with Emily

Welcome to "Genetics in the Paddock," the podcast where we dive deep into the fascinating world of livestock genetics and its impact on agriculture. Join us as we explore the latest advancements in livestock genetics, bringing you insights from experts in the field. Whether you're a seasoned producer, a curious consumer, or someone with a passion for science, this podcast is your go-to source for understanding how genetics is revolutionizing the way we breed livestock. From discussing cutting-edge breeding techniques to exploring the genetic traits that make livestock more profitable, sustainable and productive, we cover it all. Hosted by Emily Johnston, a Genetics Development Officer with NSW DPIRD, each episode features engaging conversations with scientists, researchers, and industry leaders who share their expertise and stories behind the innovations that are shaping the future of agriculture. Get ready to unravel the genetic mysteries hidden in the paddock and discover how they contribute to sustainable and efficient farming practices. Tune in to "Genetics in the Paddock" and join the conversation in livestock genetics. Whether you're in the field or simply curious about the science behind livestock genetics, this podcast is your gateway to the insightful conversations around all things genetics. For any feedback, comments, questions or recommendations for topics or guest speakers, please email: emily.johnston@dpi.nsw.gov.au.

Publisher

Emily Johnston

Category

education · government · science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Nov 2023

Latest episode

8 Dec 2025

Latest episodes

29 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Dec 2025

   Inside the Merino Wether Trials: Benchmarking Bloodlines with Dr. Sue Hatcher and Phil Graham

   Join us for another thought-provoking episode of Genetics in the Paddock with Emily, as we dive into one of the longest-running and most influential sources of independent Merino genetics information: wether trials. In this episode, Emily is joined by Phil Graham from Graham Advisory and Dr Sue Hatcher from Makin Outcomes to unpack why this decades-old approach is re-emerging as a powerful decision-making tool for today’s sheep producers. Together, they explore the origins of the combined wether-trial analyses stretching back to the 1990s, why producers have consistently driven demand for independent data, and how these trials continue to provide deep genetic insights beyond what you can see from on-farm performance alone. From benchmarking bloodlines and understanding genetic variation in key traits like fibre diameter and clean fleece weight, through to navigating the well-known trade-offs between production traits, Phil and Sue break down what the results really mean for flock improvement. We also step through how a wether trial actually works, from entry to final data collection, and discuss why the analysis is done on a ewe-flock basis, how producers should interpret results given changing breeding objectives, and the influence of environment on data interpretation. Finally, we look ahead to the future of wether trials and where the next 10–15 years of industry-led benchmarking could take us. Whether you’re a producer, advisor, or simply keen to understand how independent genetic comparisons can guide better breeding decisions, this episode is a must-listen. This podcast was produced in collaboration with South East Local Land Services, and further resources, links, and trial information are available on their webpage. https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-and-primary-industries/livestock/sheep/comparison-of-merino-bloodlines To provide feedback, comments, suggestions for future topics, or guest speakers you'd like to hear from, please email: emily.johnston@dpird.nsw.gov.au. This information is for informative and educational purposes only and does not constitute advice. This episode is produced by the Extensive Livestock Team within the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Additional information: https://www.sheepgenetics.org.au/

2. 

   9 Nov 2025

   The Genetics Behind the Microbiome: Predicting Performance with Microbes with Dr. Andrew Lakamp (Pt.2)

   Join us for another deep-dive episode of Genetics in the Paddock with Emily, as we continue exploring one of the most exciting frontiers in livestock science: the microbiome. In Part 2, Emily is again joined by livestock geneticist Dr. Andrew (Drew) Lakamp to look beyond what the microbiome is and focus on what it can do for breeding decisions. In this episode, we dig into how an animal’s genetics influence the microbes in their gut and eye, what “microbiome-mediated genetic effects” actually mean, and how genome + metagenome data could improve breeding value predictions. We also unpack practical questions for industry: When should samples be collected? How do sequencing methods differ? And could microbiome data one day be incorporated into EBVs and selection indexes? Whether you’re a producer, advisor, researcher, or simply curious about where the next decade of breeding innovation is heading, this episode offers a glimpse into the future of microbes as measurable, selectable traits. To provide feedback, comments, suggestions for future topics, or guest speakers you'd like to hear from, please email: emily.johnston@dpird.nsw.gov.au This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice. Produced by the Extensive Livestock Team within NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

3. 

   26 Oct 2025

   The Genetics Behind the Microbiome: Why Your Livestock’s Microbes Matter with Dr. Andrew Lakamp (PT. 1)

   Join us for another thought-provoking episode of Genetics in the Paddock with Emily, as we explore one of the most fascinating and fast-moving frontiers in animal science — the microbiome. In this episode, Emily is joined by Drew Lakamp, a livestock geneticist helping unravel how the billions of microbes living in and on our animals influence productivity, health, and even breeding potential. Together, they unpack what the microbiome actually is, how it differs from the animal’s own genome, and why producers should care. From feed efficiency and disease resistance to fertility and welfare, we look at how microbial communities could one day be treated as traits in their own right. Whether you’re a producer, advisor, or simply curious about the hidden biology shaping animal performance, this episode is a must-listen for understanding the role of microbiomes in modern livestock breeding. To provide feedback, comments, suggestions for future topics, or guest speakers you'd like to hear from, please email: emily.johnston@dpird.nsw.gov.au. This information is for informative and educational purposes only and does not constitute advice. This episode is produced by the Extensive Livestock Team within the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 47 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

66

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

68

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.