The Next Generation Global Sheep Forum has come out of a group of international sheep producer organisations American Lamb Board, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, British National Sheep Association, Canadian Sheep Federation, National Sheep Association, National Wool Growers’ Association of South Africa and Sheep Producers Australia.

One of its purposes is to share information and support sheep farming around the world. One way we aim to do this is by connecting young farmers through a live podcast which is hosted by Behind the Collective.

Ed Brant United Kingdom

Ed lives and farms in Lincolnshire, mainly an arable area on the east coast. Since 2016 he has been building up the sheep numbers in two performance recorded flocks (terminal and maternal) producing breeding rams. He is increasing sheep numbers, using them as an arable break crop driven by declining soil quality, weed, pest and disease pressure. Ed is passionate about the industry and always on the lookout how he can adapt and improve. From 2019-2021 Ed worked for the UK’s genetic evaluation service provider Signet, and shortly after joined the NSA’s Next generation program in 2022.  

Kyle Hurley United States

From a young age, Kyle had a passion to work with and produce sheep. As his commercial operation grew, he surrounded himself with successful producers and leaders in the industry which led him to join the Pipestone Lamb and Wool program. Having those relationships helped him grow from a 250 head ewe flock to a 600 head and rapidly growing ewe flock. Kyle started "Pro-Ewe Genetics", a small flock of 100 purebred Polypays and he enrolled them into NSIP. By joining NSIP he has met several smaller producers that share the passion to produce better breeding stock each year. Kyle is active on social media and his Facebook page called "Hurley Polypay Sheep Farm” posts pictures and videos of what is going on at our farm.

Tiffany Davey Australia

Tiffany (Tiff) hails from the Central Wheatbelt in Western Australia, where she has cultivated a diverse career around the globe. With a deep-seated passion for agriculture and a commitment to regional Australia, Tiffany is an accredited Live Export stockwoman, undertaking voyages to the Middle East since 2019. She is at the early stages of wearing the farmer hat establishing her own business, marketing produce directly to the consumer. Tiffany is also a storyteller, event and project coordinator, writing and working for different not for profits across Australia.

Isaac Matchett United States

Isaac’s family transitioned from raising turkeys to sheep in the mid-1950s. Having been around sheep his entire life, he knew at a very young age that hid career ambitions were rooted in agriculture with his true passion and interest being in sheep production. Growing up, Matchett Sheep Farm maintained between 100 and 140 ewes and farmed 90 to 100 acres, growing hay, pasture, and some small grains. However, by 2020 Issaac has significantly grown and improved the efficiency of the operation and they now lamb 2000 ewes and farm over 1400 acres growing pasture, alfalfa, corn and barley.

Jeff Campbell Canada

Jeff is the Dairy & Livestock Development Officer for the PEI Department of Agriculture. In his role he engages with dairy, swine, poultry and sheep producers, and small processors for on-farm extension and program delivery. Jeff also engages with commodity boards and academia to help provide resources and support for strategic industry development, research and other issues with industry wide relevance. Jeff and his wife Alana began Salt Breeze Farms 2014 and currently produce strawberries and purebred Rideau Arcott and Charollais sheep genetics with nationally recognized health certifications and awards for their commitment to genetic improvement.

The Global Sheep Producers Forum would like to thank Shearwell Australia for supporting the 2024 Next Generation Cohort to visit Anlaby Station, Adelaide Australia.

Have you got 3 minutes to spare - tell us what you'd like to learn about from the Global Sheep Producers Forum - What topics do you want to listen to on the Next Generation Podcasts?