The Sheep Geeks

Jennifer Duncan is a Professor of Sheep Health and Welfare at University of Liverpool. She has been involved with a recent project exploring joint ill in young lambs in more details, and this podcast covers the main findings of that project. We also touch on her interests on Schmallenberg virus and contagious ovine digital dermatitis. 
She teaches vet students animal welfare and sheep veterinary medicine. Her research focuses on sheep lameness, neonatal lamb diseases and sheep welfare. She co-ordinates post-graduate veterinary modules in sheep medicine as part of the Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice courses at Liverpool https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/vets/cpd/certavp/production-animal/sheep/
Links mentioned:
Paper link - https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/3189525/ 
AHDB link - https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/joint-ill-in-lambs
Liverpool's work on CODD - https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/infection-veterinary-and-ecological-sciences/research/groups/codd/

Dr Liz Genever is a farmer, consultant and co-founder of Carbon Calling CIC. 
Dr Nerys Wright is a sheep consultant and technical lead for SCOPS.

Podcast Disclaimer:
The views and information shared in this podcast are for general guidance only and do not constitute professional advice. The Sheep Geeks make no guarantees about the accuracy or completeness of the content. Always consult your own vet or advisor before making changes to your animal health or farm management practices. Any reliance on the information is at your own risk. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Sheep Geeks.

Anna and Ian Wilson are mixed farmers (sheep and combinable crops) from North Yorkshire, and Anna also works for the National Sheep Association. They talk about their experience of using No Bacz Navel as part of the trial we spoke to Fiona Lovatt about on episode 4. They also use it when tagging newborn lambs.
We also catch up on the work as part of the AHDB-funded Challenge Sheep project and how they are using data to help them make better decisions. 
This episode has been sponsored by No Bacz. 
Links mentioned:
Paper link - https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/BCHIBBZG8IRWQU3RHERB?target=10.1002/vetr.70169
Product page link - https://nobacz.com/product/nobacz-navel/
More details on Challenge Sheep project - https://ahdb.org.uk/challenge-sheep
Dr Liz Genever is a farmer, consultant and co-founder of Carbon Calling CIC. 
Dr Nerys Wright is a sheep consultant and technical lead for SCOPS.

Podcast Disclaimer:
The views and information shared in this podcast are for general guidance only and do not constitute professional advice. The Sheep Geeks make no guarantees about the accuracy or completeness of the content. Always consult your own vet or advisor before making changes to your animal health or farm management practices. Any reliance on the information is at your own risk. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Sheep Geeks.

Kate Phillips is an independent sheep consultant. She previously worked at ADAS for 30 years. She continues to be heavily involved in research within the sheep sector. She is renowned for her pragmatic approach. 
We talk through various projects (see links below) and also the role that Kate played in developing both Liz and Nerys' knowledge and skills. 
Links mentioned:
Sheep Breeding UK | Low Carbon Lamb | Low Methane Sheep
 https://businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect/reducing-mastitis-commercial-sheep-flocks-final-report
https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/understanding-mastitis-in-sheep 
https://ahdb.org.uk/mastitis-in-ewes-phase-ii
Biotin and lameness in ewes | AHDB
 Event mentioned Grazing for growth: sheep and arable working together | AHDB
 
Dr Liz Genever is a farmer, consultant and co-founder of Carbon Calling CIC. 
Dr Nerys Wright is a sheep consultant and technical lead for SCOPS.

Podcast Disclaimer:
The views and information shared in this podcast are for general guidance only and do not constitute professional advice. The Sheep Geeks make no guarantees about the accuracy or completeness of the content. Always consult your own vet or advisor before making changes to your animal health or farm management practices. Any reliance on the information is at your own risk. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Sheep Geeks.

This special episode features an experimental recording at the East of England Agricultural Society's Scholars Day. Both Liz and Nerys are scholars and were invited to join the training day. The recording features other scholars, and was done on a roaming mic in the bar, so forgive the slightly interesting audio. 
See here for more information on the Scholars Programme. The next application deadline is the 22nd of February 2026 and is available to people living in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, plus parts of Lincolnshire, Rutland and Leicestershire.
Nerys and Liz are extremely grateful to the EEAS for their support. Nerys' recent visit to the International Sheep Veterinary Congress was supported by them, and their contributed towards Liz's attendance on the CREATE Althorp course.

Join Liz and Nerys for a catch-up before Christmas and our first Q&A. We almost talk about books more than sheep in this one. The guest format will be back in January. 

Dr Liz Genever is a farmer, consultant and co-founder of Carbon Calling CIC. 
Dr Nerys Wright is a sheep consultant and technical lead for SCOPS.

Podcast Disclaimer:
The views and information shared in this podcast are for general guidance only and do not constitute professional advice. The Sheep Geeks make no guarantees about the accuracy or completeness of the content. Always consult your own vet or advisor before making changes to your animal health or farm management practices. Any reliance on the information is at your own risk. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Sheep Geeks.