The LambEx Coles Trailblazers Competition recognises and encourages young and upcoming industry professionals, producers, scientists & students to consider a future or ongoing career in the Australian sheep industry.
The competition provides an opportunity for these ‘Trailblazers’ to showcase how their ideas, skills and innovation can make a meaningful difference across the sheep Industry. Successful finalists will gain exposure at LambEx26, while developing their capabilities through professional development opportunities and networking with industry leaders.
Finalists
Jamee Daly
Dr Jamee Daly is an early career researcher with the South Australian Research and Development Institute in the Barossa. Her research focus includes methane abatement strategies and improving the drought resilience of mixed farming systems for grazing sheep in South Australia. Additionally, as a trained reproductive biologist Jamee has an interest in improving semen and oocyte quality to improve reproductive productivity. Importantly, Jamee aims to utilise assisted reproductive technologies to rapidly improve genetic gain in the sheep industry, while empowering producer decision making in selection of ASBV's.
TOPIC: Jamee presents a speed‑breeding approach using juvenile IVF and embryo transfer (JIVET) to rapidly fast‑track superior sheep genetics. By boosting productivity and efficiency, this model reduces emissions intensity per kilogram of lamb while improving profitability and aligning with sustainability goals across the supply chain.
Angus Langsmith
I grew up on a beef and sheep property near Glencoe in the South East of South Australia. I attended high school in Mount Gambier before completing a gap year working in irrigation, servicing many agricultural industries including beef, sheep, dairy and horticulture. In 2023, I moved to Armidale, NSW, to study a Bachelor of Rural Science, and I am in my final year, currently completing my honours in meat science. I have been involved with the ICMJ program and am assisting with coaching the UNE team this year. I am also working as a lab technician in the UNE meat science department, which allows me to get a better understanding of processing and data collection in the red meat industry.
TOPIC: Angus addresses a key gap in the sheepmeat supply chain by improving how carcass data is linked back to individual animals and producers. His dual‑ID solution backs up RFID hook tracking with a visual carcass number, ensuring reliable data flow and enabling better on‑farm decisions, genetic selection, and stronger returns from eID investment.
Rebecca Farnell
I am a third-year PhD candidate at Federation University, Mt Helen. My primary research involves the development of a rapid diagnostic for surveillance of Barber’s Pole worm and other worm infections in livestock in Victoria, Australia. I transferred from the equine research industry to the sheep research industry in 2024 at the commencement of my PhD, after my principal supervisor encouraged me to study the field of sheep parasitology. This has been my driving research passion ever since, supported by my previous experience working with sheep. I currently live on an organic farm in Wallace, which runs 230 sheep including lambs. Growing up, I assisted my father with rounding up sheep, transporting them to markets, shearing, and other animal care duties.
TOPIC: Rebecca proposes a FAIR sheep worm surveillance database that maps worm distribution across Victoria, giving producers and industry better visibility of parasite risk. The system is designed to scale nationally, supporting more informed worm management and improved animal health outcomes.
Tara Farms
Tara is a farmer, media creator and founder of Tara Farms and Shepton Hill, based in Victoria. She runs 3,500 sheep and a diversified egg operation, and when drought forced a rethink, she didn't just adapt her farming business, she built entirely new ones alongside it. Over the last 90 days, Tara's YouTube channel documenting life on the land has generated over 40 million views; making her one of the most-watched agricultural voices in Australia and the world right now. What started as an honest look at farm life has become a platform that connects millions ofpeople to the realities of the sheep industry: the hard calls, the dry spells, and the work that goes into every animal. Tara sits at the intersection of production and communication, and she's using both to change how the world sees Australian agriculture.
TOPIC: Tara from Tara Farms will pitch why farmers must tell their own story—or risk others getting it wrong. Using her Victorian sheep and egg farm as a real‑world example, Tara shows how honest, farmer‑led digital content has reached over 40 million views in 90 days and helped rebuild trust with the public. Her message is clear: authentic storytelling works, and the industry should be scaling it now.
Bianca Agenbag
I am a Senior Research Officer with the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), working within the livestock Welfare andInnovation team based at Turretfield Research Centre. My work focusses one merging technologies in livestock systems, particularly virtual fencing, where I am exploring how these tools can improve productivity, labour efficiency and resilience for producers. I am also involved in projects investigating sheep methane emissions, reproductive efficiency and benchmarking water quality against sheep production parameters. I am extremely passionate about bridging the gap between research and on-farm application and grateful to be in a role where I can pursue this passion. Alongside my full time role, I am completing my PhD at Adelaide University focusing on colostrum quality in Merinos.
TOPIC: Bianca presents Ewe Herd Us, a virtual fencing concept designed specifically for sheep. Recognising the limits of cattle‑based systems, the approach explores scalable, system‑level solutions, such as selective collaring and alternative devices, that better suit large mobs, shearing, and sheep behaviour, offering a practical and cost‑effective pathway for sheep enterprises.
Emily Steer
I am a third-year Animal Science student at the University of Adelaide, based in South Australia. I grew up in Lameroo in the Murray Mallee region, where my family previously ran a small commercial Angus cattle herd. Spending time on the farm sparked my interest in livestock and shaped my decision to pursue a career in agriculture. Alongside my studies, I am undertaking the 2026 PIEFA–AIA Student Compendium Internship, where I am involved in initiatives that promote food and fibre education across South Australia. I am particularly interested in strengthening connections between industry and education to support futureg enerations in agriculture. In 2026, I was awarded an Australian Wool Education Trust (AWET) Small Initiatives Grant, providing opportunities to further engage with sheep and wool industry, education and research. My connection to the sheep industry is developing through AWET-supported experiences and my strong interest in livestock production systems.
TOPIC: Emily presents Paddock to Practice, a national digital platform that delivers clear, region‑specific research insights directly to producers. By combining practical tools with trained research translators and regional on‑farm hubs, the model accelerates adoption while creating a two‑way link between farmers and researchers.
Jordan Norman
Jordan Norman is a passionate emerging leader in agricultural education and extension, having completed a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science at the University of Adelaide and now undertaking a Master of Teaching (Secondary), specialising in Agriculture.As the 2025 PIEFA Compendium Intern and 2026 Student Compendium Project Officer with the Ag Institute Australia (SA Division), Jordan has contributed to the national expansion of the Student Compendium e-portal, connecting students with career pathways in agriculture. His work was recognised at the 2025 Rural Media and Communicators (SA/NT) Awards, where he was a finalist and received a High Commendation for the Best Rural Communicator Award. He also works at Urrbrae Agricultural High School as a Student Support Officer, supporting agricultural education. Jordan is passionate about connecting students with the sheep industry and building a skilled, informed and future-ready workforce.
TOPIC: Jordan’s pitch focuses on changing how the sheep industry is understood by students beyond the farm gate. He proposes a Sheep Industry Education Hub that connects students from non‑agricultural schools with real industry people and experiences through farm visits, school programs, and ongoing mentoring. By providing hands‑on exposure to modern sheep production and career pathways, the initiative aims to reshape perceptions, build trust, and strengthen the future workforce.
Key Dates
ENTRIES OPEN
18 February 2026
ENTRIES CLOSE
5 April 2026
11.59pm (ACST)
SEMIFINALISTS ANNOUNCED
5 May 2026
ZOOM PRACTICE SESSION
26 May 2026
5.30pm (ACST)
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING DAY
(Adelaide)
2 June 2026
9am–4pm
LAMBEX26
(Adelaide)
7–10 July 2026
Finals
The semi-finals will take place on Day 1 of LambEx26, where Trailblazers will present to a live audience and judging panel:
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Rebecca Jennings (MLA)
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Claire Taylor (Agvocacy Consulting)
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Annabel McBride (Coles)
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Peter McGilchrist (UNE)
From there, three finalists will be selected to progress to the main stage on Thursday 9 July, where they will present in front of the full LambEx audience on the plenary stage. The finalists will be judged by:
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Gillian Fennell (Livestock SA)
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Emily King (AWI)
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Andrew Bouffler (Triggervale Merinos)
Competition Prizes
Up to eight (8) Semi-finalists will receive:
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Complimentary Full Delegate Registration to LambEx26 including the Welcome Function and Elders Grandslamb Gala Dinner
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Complimentary Professional Development package including a session prior to the LambEx26 Conference, and further development and networking opportunities at the conference.
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A Travel bursary (up to $600 for SA, $1,000 for non-SA) to put towards Travel expenses
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LambEx Merchandise
Finalist prizes:
Finalists will compete for the following cash prizes:
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LambEx Coles Trailblazer Winner: $3,000
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LambEx Coles Trailblazer Junior Achiever Award (<24 years old): $1,000
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LambEx Coles Trailblazing Concept Award: $500
Prize money is intended to support career progression/ professional development, and winners will provide a short written note outlining intended use before payment.