LambEx 2018 has released its program of international and Australian speakers, who will present on an array of local and global issues, at the upcoming conference.
Conference chair Bindi Murray said the conference, which will be held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from 5-7 August, is shaping up to be its biggest ever.
“We have a fantastic program and an amazing lineup of speakers from across the globe who will provide a thought-provoking and insightful look at the lamb and sheep industry in Australia and internationally,” Ms Murray said.
“All sectors of the lamb industry have come together to build on LambEx’s previous success and ensure the Australian sheep and lamb industry continues its proud tradition of showcasing its industry.”
Keynote speakers include The Center for Food Integrity CEO Charlie Arnot and Beef and Lamb New Zealand independent director Melissa Clark-Reynolds.
James Rebanks, Lake District, United Kingdom, will also present.
Mr Rebanks is an Oxford graduate and author with a passion for his Herdwick sheep, who has gained a following of more than 80,000 people on Twitter.
Other panelists include:
- AuctionsPlus CEO Anna Speer – will answer the question whether farmers can expect ‘amazon-style’ disruption to livestock marketing in years to come, and how the company has spent 30 years trying to disrupt the way farmers trade livestock
- Ed Peter, Duxton Capital – will debate if corporate investment will disrupt the way we do business in the sheep industry
- Consultant Jason Trompf – will look at the achievements and leakages of the sheep supply chain, and what can be done about it
- Meat & Livestock Australia’s Lisa Sharp – will discuss the new generation’s consumer through the lens of making sure we produce what they want
The LambEx program also features a number of social events, including the Fletcher International Exports Welcome Function, and breakfasts hosted by Sheep CRC, AusWest Seeds, Boehringer Ingelheim and Gallagher.
The highlight of the program will be the Virbac International Pre-Dinner Drinks followed by Australian Wool Innovation’s GrandsLamb Dinner.
Early-bird registrations are now open, with rates being $500 for farmers, $400 for students, and $625 for service providers and industry representatives.
There has already been strong interest in the Young Guns Competition, with $13,000 worth of prizes offered.
The competition aims to reward and encourage young and upcoming producers, industry professionals and scientists to consider a future or ongoing career in the Australian lamb industry.
Ms Murray said it has never been a more profitable time to be a lamb producer.
“In the past 12 months, sheep, lamb and wool prices have risen to some of the highest levels they’ve ever been,” Ms Murray said.
“LambEx 2018 will continue to highlight how our industry has grown, and what steps producers and industry stakeholders can continue to take to ensure a lift in production and subsequent profits.”
Murdoch University Associate Professor Graham Gardner will emcee the event.
Fairfax Agricultural Media is a sponsor of the event.
For more details, visit their website.