Kimberley Busteed is an Australian media personality, television presenter, brand ambassador and experienced event MC. She currently presents on Channel 7’s The Great Outdoors and has spent 17 years on Weekender and Creek to Coast. A born-and-bred country kid, Kimberley maintains a strong connection to agriculture through the cattle grazing enterprise she runs with her husband, Chris Simpson. As a first-generation grazier and owner-operator, she balances media with life on the land and has hosted major agricultural events including Beef Australia, the Australian Dairy Conference and the AMPC Showcase Gala Dinner.

Mick Fanning is a three time World Champion surfer whose career is defined by extraordinary resilience, competitive excellence, and a deeply personal journey shaped by family, loss, perspective, and a lifelong connection to the ocean.

Born in Patagonia, Gus never let small-town roots limit his ambition. A mix of curiosity, courage and FOMO brought him to Australia at 17. By 22, he had left university, hitchhiked across South America, launched his first business and landed his dream job at Lonely Planet. He later led the company globally, working with Google X, Nokia and Amazon on technology, creative culture and high-performing teams. After corporate life, Gus returned to entrepreneurship as an investor, founder and mentor. Today he builds robots, develops AI, creates 3D-printed wheelchairs and backs climate tech, helping people focus on what they can shape right now.

Jess Pryles is an Australian-born meat expert, live-fire cook and author based in Austin, Texas. She co-founded the Australasian Barbecue Alliance and has earned international recognition for her expertise in barbecue, smoked meats and live-fire cooking. Jess created the Hardcore Carnivore brand, including a line of seasonings, and wrote Hardcore Carnivore: Cook Meat Like You Mean It. She has appeared as a host and judge on shows including Cooks on Fire and Beat Bobby Flay, and now hosts her own program on Outdoor Channel and Tastemade. With formal study in Meat Science, Jess continues to influence audiences worldwide.

Brett was raised on a cattle and sheep operation in Utah and Wyoming. He has worked in the cattle industry in Nebraska, Florida, Oklahoma and Colorado. For the past 20 years he has been running Global AgriTrends. His work there has taken him to six continents researching the global meat and livestock markets. He now advises companies around the world on global agriculture trends with an emphasis on beef, pork, lamb, and poultry. Brett received an Agribusiness MBA degree at the University of Nebraska. He and his wife Amanda live on a small farm with their kids near Preston Idaho.

Damian Storie is a highly accomplished global business leader with extensive experience driving growth, profitability and strategic transformation across international markets. With a career spanning the UK, Ireland, Europe, the US and UAE, he is known for translating strategic vision into strong commercial outcomes. Now based in the Middle East, Damian leads Classic Fine Foods, part of Metro AG, one of the region’s leading premium food distributors. Working at the frontline of protein trade, he represents global and Australian red meat brands in a fast-evolving market. His experience spans distribution, manufacturing and retail, with a focus on premium protein and value-added products.

Dr Jared Greenville leads the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s Trade and International Division. Prior to his appointment in April 2026, he was Executive Director of ABARES from 2020, overseeing national economic and scientific analysis across agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors. Jared has represented Australia at OECD and G20 forums on sustainable agricultural production, global food security and climate policy. He previously worked at the OECD on agri-food trade and the Productivity Commission on trade, drought, infrastructure and ageing. He holds a PhD in agricultural and natural resource economics from the University of Sydney. 

Julia Jones is a New Zealand agribusiness leader who tackles the world with raw, authentic honesty. After 25 years of navigating constant change across food and fibre, finance, and strategy, she’s become known for staying steady, adaptable, and future-focused.

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 She turns big ideas into practical action, brings people together, and makes complex things easy to understand. Julia leads with optimism and straight-up honesty, grounded in the resilience she’s built through decades of disruption and growth, always keeping her focus on what matters most: people, relevance, and a stronger future for our sector.

Jerome Leray is the founder and Managing Director of InFarm—a company built on the belief that technology should work where farmers do. With a background in commerce, mineral exploration, and geoscience and hands-on agriculture, Jerome leads the

development of AI tools that solve real problems on-farm, especially where internet access is limited or non-existent.

Recognised globally for his practical approach, Jerome has worked alongside producers, agronomists, and major industry partners like Bayer, Dell, and Microsoft to ensure that innovation stays grounded in the paddock. His strength lies in turning complex data and cuttingedge AI into tools that are easy to use and deliver results where it counts—on the land.

Claire Booth is a solicitor with 20 years’ experience advising family and farming businesses across Newcastle, Goondiwindi, Brisbane and the Central West of NSW. She adds insight from co-founding a contracting business supporting mining projects in the Hunter Valley and north-west WA. In 2011 she launched BoothAg; the family now farms near Geurie NSW, producing irrigated crops (sweet corn, popcorn, potatoes, hybrid seed, grains and oils) alongside cattle and livestock trading. Since 2003 she has specialised in wills, succession, trust and tax law, with water-law expertise across Australia. Claire also serves on boards spanning agriculture, tax, water, capital and renewable energy.

Kurt Fearnley AO is a three time Paralympic gold medalist and two time Commonwealth Games gold medalist. He has won over 40 marathons, including New York, Chicago and London in a career spanning more than 20 years. In 2009 Kurt crawled the Kokoda track, in Papua New Guinea, to raise awareness of men’s health. Kurt was also a member of the winning Sydney to Hobart yacht crew, Investec Loyal, in 2012. He was the New South Wales Australian of the Year for 2019.
Kurt is an accomplished corporate speaker, a published Author (Pushing the Limits: Life, Marathons and Kokoda), host of Tiny Island, You Little Ripper and A Nation Changed podcasts and the Chair of the NDIA.

Dawson Bradford Jr and his wife Lisa run Hillcroft Farms, a vertically integrated, three-generation family operation spanning 5,000 hectares. Alongside his parents Dawson and Greta and their children Jack, Michael and Chelsea, Dawson leads a commercially driven meat-production business including a 1,500-sow farrow-to-finish piggery, broadacre cropping, a feed mill, and both commercial and stud Ultrawhites. Known as the birthplace of the Ultrawhite breed, Hillcroft places a strong focus on performance, genetic recording and EBVs to maximise genetic gain. Off-farm, Dawson is a Director of Australian Pork Limited.

Jamie Heinrich is a seventh-generation SA sheep farmer from Ella Matta Pastoral on Kangaroo Island. After completing a degree in International Business at the University of South Australia, he spent three years with Thomas Foods International across meat export and livestock before returning to the family business in 2014 as joint owner and manager. The Heinrichs operate the world’s oldest White Suffolk stud, alongside Poll Merino, Maternal Composite and commercial flocks. Jamie is the current LambEx Taskforce Chair and a director of 28 National Limited and has previously held director roles with Sheep Producers Australia, Livestock SA, AgKI and MLA committees. A 2017 Nuffield Scholar, he studied attracting and retaining young people in agriculture across 17 countries.

After working in roles in animal health and biosecurity in the private and not-for-profit sectors, Bonnie joined the Sheep Producers Australia team in 2018 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2022. 

Bonnie has extensive networks across regional Australia and has proven experience establishing productive relationships with stakeholders, industry partners and government officials.

Her collaborative approach, combined with her comprehensive understanding of the industry, positions Bonnie as a key figure in shaping the future of the sheepmeat sector and the broader agricultural landscape in Australia.​

Having grown up in a farming family I have developed a great passion for agriculture. I have been managing my family’s 2000ha Composite sheep and Angus beef farming operation Murndal located in Tahara, Victoria since 2018, returning back to farm after studying Agricultural Science at The University of Adelaide. My priorities have been to establish long-term perennial pastures and increase the output, efficiency and flexibility of the livestock production system. Interested in making the best possible decisions on farm using science and statistics.

Chloe Butcher-Herries is redefining modern farming from Central Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. Managing two powerhouse farming properties, Matthews Station and Otoro Station. She drives performance while championing sustainability and people. Winner of the 2022 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award and top 3 finalist for the 2026 Zanda McDonald Award, Chloe is recognised as a fearless leader and sector advocate.

Chloe is extremely passionate about mentoring youth and empowering anyone willing to get involved in agriculture. Chloe blends operational grit with visionary thinking to build a resilient, future focused industry alongside her wife Makita and Daughter Āhua.

I live at Wyndham Station (which is a 12,500ha grazing property on the Anabranch River 85km north of Wentworth N.S.W.), with my wife Kelly and son Mitchell, we are all currently working together in the business.  We also lease a property from my Mother, Willow Point, which is where I was born, that is another 19,000ha.  The main enterprise that we have on our land is grazing, that is simply about turning grass into money, we use sheep, goats & cattle for this. 

I have been involved with a number of industry groups, lately an RCC member of Cattle Australia and prior to that SALRC.  

I'm very passionate about community, land management and working with animals, to name some of my interest areas

Jack O’Connor, lives in a fully off-grid home on his family farm at Oxton Park with his wife, Brigid, and young family. His role encompasses the diverse responsibilities associated with a mixed farming operation. 

Oxton Park were among the first clients to pilot AgriWebb and were early adopters of a number of other leading technology innovators in the agricultural sector. Additionally, they have collaborated with producers of Gundagai Lamb, NZ Merino, among many others.

He is deeply passionate about Global Agribusiness and the people from all different backgrounds that make up our industries. He is also excited about numerous emerging Technologies & new industries and the great potential they present.

Richard & Sardie Edgar along with their two teenage children run West Cuyauc in South West Victoria. They focus on commercial lamb production and finishing through a feed lot system and fodder crops. Their Ewe flock is based on composite genetics from Paradoo Prime. Over the last ten years they have purchased x forestry land and continue to develop this back to productive grazing country. 

Henry Goode is a fifth-generation farmer who manages the Goode family’s Barooka property with his wife Alana and their daughters, Clementine and Pippa. 

Building on the passion, progress and early adoption of his father Deane, Henry has helped shape a modern Merino breeding program over more than 25 years. Through long-term use of objective data and ASBVs, Barooka has bred a versatile, productive and easy-care Merino suited to modern production systems.

Barooka has not mulesed for 20 years and has embraced a range of progressive management practices, including six-month shearing, ewe lamb joining, split single-cycle joining periods and marketing wool through ZQ+. 

John and his wife Sarah farm more than 270 acres in the hills of Mid Wales, despite neither coming from a farming background. Together they have built a commercially focused livestock enterprise centred on performance, efficiency and environmental stewardship. Their operation includes performance-recorded Limousin and Belgian Blue suckler cows, along with Beulah and Texel ewes, supported by data-driven decision-making and constant improvement. Recently appointed Chair of the National Sheep Association Wales/Cymru Region, John is known for his engaging personality and practical leadership. He will share insights on challenges and opportunities in Welsh farming, drawing on his Nuffield Scholarship research.

James Kerr is the station manager of Buckleboo Station, a 100,000-hectare sheep grazing property on South Australia's northern Eyre Peninsula, operated by Paroo Pastoral Company. He is recognized for leading a bold ecological reset and implementing carbon farming, transforming the drought-ravaged property into a sustainability-focused, award-winning business. 

Under his management, Buckleboo Station won the 2024 SA Landcare Award for Sustainable Agriculture.

James emphasizes proactive management, noting that proper land care allows for productive land even in low rainfall, focusing on long-term ecological sustainability rather than solely on short-term production. 

Tara is a third-generation sheep farmer and the founder of Tara Farms, where she runs her own flock and shares the full journey from paddock to plate. She oversees breeding, lambing, and daily animal care with a focus on healthy stock and high-quality, well raised lamb. Known for her practical approach and transparent communication, Tara uses her YouTube channel to document the realities of Australian farming - the challenges, the progress, and the planning behind every season. Her work helps bridge the gap between consumers and agriculture, offering an honest look at the care and responsibility involved in raising livestock.

Charlie Blomfield is a born & bred Queenslander now based in central NSW producing premium equine, hay, and lambs. Charlie’s perspective on business and agriculture is forged by having worked in many places from Kowanyama, Cairo and now, Canowindra, NSW. His career is defined by violating expectations (in a good way), agitating the status quo and pursuing high performance whether that be in business strategy, people management or operations.

Sophie Barnes grew up in the UK with no connection to farming until discovering sheep at age 17. That single moment sparked a lifelong obsession, and after a few years of farming her own sheep, she sold everything and moved halfway around the world to New Zealand to learn "from the best". Today, Sophie works as Business Services Manager at neXtgen Agri, a livestock genetics consultancy serving sheep and beef farmers. In this role, she focuses on bridging the gap between genetic science and practical farming, helping producers make informed breeding and management decisions.

Claire Taylor is an international facilitator, MC and keynote speaker from a beef farm in southwest Scotland.  

A former agricultural journalist and Nuffield Farming Scholar, she has studied agriculture across six continents, bringing a global perspective to communication and advocacy in the sector. 

Now based near Orange, NSW, Claire farms alongside her partner and founded Agvocacy Consulting, where she works with organisations to strengthen communication, build trust and foster meaningful connections across the industry. 

She is passionate about amplifying the voice of agriculture, challenging outdated thinking, and helping the sector engage more effectively with the world around it. 

Edwina brings more than 20 years of experience in research, development and adoption across Australia’s red meat processing sector. Since joining AMPC in 2023 and becoming CEO in 2025, she has led practical innovation across sustainability, advanced manufacturing, people and culture, and market integrity. A respected meat scientist and Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging alumna, Edwina has authored more than 55 scientific papers and reports. Her career also includes significant leadership with NSW Department of Primary Industries, delivering industry-focused R&D outcomes that have helped strengthen Australia’s position as a global leader.

Sarah is General Manager of Research, Development and Adoption at Meat & Livestock Australia, where she oversees more than $100 million in annual investment across research and commercial partnerships. Her focus is turning strong research into practical, adoption-ready tools and services for the livestock supply chain. Her work has supported major industry outcomes including BREEDPLAN, Sheep Genetics and Meat Standards Australia. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Rural Science from the University of New England and has worked with MLA for more than 24 years.

David has been with MLA for almost nine years, previously managing the Producer Adoption program, and now the Meat Standards Australia Program Manager (6 years). Prior to MLA, David spent 11 years in the livestock animal health sector in both R&D and commercial roles. David holds a Bachelor of Rural Science and a PhD in meat science.

David has worked hands-on, across the livestock and cropping sectors, and is the managing partner of a breeding and backgrounding operation in the New England region of NSW. David's experience allows him to have scope and understanding from research through to on-farm and supply chain implementation.

Sean Starling is Head of Innovation & Industrial Engineering (Southern) at JBS Australia, leading multi-site programs that lift safety, yield and productivity through advanced manufacturing, automation and data-driven operations. He is an originator of the BladeStop bandsaw safety concept and championed Scott Technology’s lamb automation developments to ensure leading solutions are available to Australian processors. Sean is known for building an innovation culture as a core operating capability—creating the conditions where frontline problem-solving, disciplined experimentation and measurable value delivery thrive. He actively connects processors with an ecosystem of financiers, researchers and technology developers to accelerate translation from lab to line, de-risk investment and scale adoption across the sector.

Rob Davidson is the Producer Relations Manager at WAMMCO, with over 20 years’ experience across multiple roles within the organisation.  His work has included livestock procurement, producer extension, genetic and nutritional consultancy, on-farm and plant-focussed research, manager of WAMMCO’s annual lamb carcase competition and he currently also acts as the AMPC funded WAMMCO Innovation Manager. He works closely with producers to deliver practical outcomes that benefit both the grower and the cooperative.  Prior to joining WAMMCO, Rob worked at the University of Western Australia, spending 13 years delivering industry-funded on-farm research on lamb nutrition, genetics and meat eating quality.

Will Barton has been the Chief Executive Officer at Gundagai Meat Processors (GMP) since 2014. During his time at GMP, Will has led a multi-million dollar facility expansion project and secured Tier 2 Export Certification. He is passionate about shaping the future of the industry and has been an active member of various committees including the Sheep Sustainability Steering Group, National Agricultural Labour Advisory Committee and the Objective Measurement Adoption & Commercialisation Committee. He was also part of the Red Meat Memorandum of Understanding Taskforce in 2019.

In 2021, the Barton family established Gundagai Lamb, which is a new and exciting lamb brand, backed by the family’s 100+ years of meat industry experience.

Sam Clothier is an owner-manager of a growing mixed farming enterprise across Lucindale and Naracoorte in South Australia. Working alongside his parents, Graham and Karen, his brother Oliver and sister-in-law Meg, and his wife Nicole, the family operates more than 1,800 hectares, running 5,400 breeding ewes, a cattle trading enterprise, and 10,000 pasture-raised laying hens.

Sam drives outcomes across the enterprise by lifting lambing percentages, increasing ewe lamb conception, refining supplementary feeding strategies, and optimising laying rates. His approach centres on practical, data-informed decision making to maximise output across multiple enterprises.

Sam is a 2026 Nuffield Scholar and holds a Bachelor of Business in Farm Management, reflecting his commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in Australian agriculture.

Braden and Kate Johnston are fourth generation farmers based in Nyabing, in WA’s Great Southern region. Together with their two teenage sons and a team of four full-time staff, they operate Johnston Plains, a mixed enterprise of broadacre cropping and Ultra White commercial sheep. Their sheep enterprise is underpinned by the strategic use of vetch, well-managed confinement systems, and consistent genetic selection, all aimed at improving productivity while carefully managing input costs across the business. As a family-run operation, Braden and Kate are deeply committed to the long-term viability of regional and rural Australia, actively investing in their local community and the sustainability of the industry for future generations.

Braden and Kate Johnston are fourth generation farmers based in Nyabing, in WA’s Great Southern region. Together with their two teenage sons and a team of four full-time staff, they operate Johnston Plains, a mixed enterprise of broadacre cropping and Ultra White commercial sheep. Their sheep enterprise is underpinned by the strategic use of vetch, well-managed confinement systems, and consistent genetic selection, all aimed at improving productivity while carefully managing input costs across the business. As a family-run operation, Braden and Kate are deeply committed to the long-term viability of regional and rural Australia, actively investing in their local community and the sustainability of the industry for future generations.

Todd Heaysman is Director of HP Agriculture, a first-generation farming enterprise based in central Victoria. Together with his wife Breanna and sons Marcus and Archie, Todd operates three farms while also providing contract management services to two other farming families. His business focuses on breeding resilient, fertile Merinos, supported by a six-monthly shearing program. Passionate about aligning phenotype with genotype, Todd is driven by data-informed decision making to unlock new opportunities across both meat and wool markets. Guided by strong values and relationships, he embraces innovation, open thinking and the willingness to take on new challenges.

Peter is a Professor of meat science in the School of Environmental and Rural Sciences

at the University of New England in Armidale, NSW and his research revolves around ensuring global consumer satisfaction of Australian red meat. This research covers all aspects of sheep, beef and goat supply-chains focusing on critical control points which affect eating quality. Peter is president of the Australian ICMJ Association and a member of the Meat Standards Australia beef and sheepmeat scientific pathways committees. Peter grew up on a beef cattle property in North-West NSW and is a passionate educator, teaching undergraduate rural science, agriculture and agribusiness students at UNE!

Everard started his career in the UK, with a BSc (Hons) and PhD. He then undertook post-doctoral fellowships examining climate change impacts on plant physiology and plant ecology in the UK and at The Australian National University. Since 2006, Everard has been at CSIRO, applying this background to crop management. This has increasingly focused on developing sensor technologies and analytics, particularly in viticulture. He currently leads projects developing sensing of pasture biomass, using novel LiDAR methodology, and sensing of tree carbohydrate status in avocados, using hyperspectral reflectance, as well as leading the Agrisensing Analytics team at CSIRO Agriculture & Food

Dr. Maarten van Helden graduated in Agricultural entomology from Wageningen Agricultural University in the Netherlands with a PhD on aphid resistance in lettuce, and worked in France on management of insects and nematodes in viticulture for 20 years. He has been working for SARDI since 2015 on Insect pest management in grains. SARDI has extensive experience with Sterile Insect Technique on Fruit Flies. Maarten and his team have been developing the rearing methodology and workflow for Blowfly SIT since 2021 and are currently testing the methodology on Kangaroo Island.     

Erin is a Research Fellow with the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit at the University of New England in Armidale, NSW. Her work focuses on developing genetic tools and insights to improve on-farm selection for productivity, efficiency, and sustainability in livestock systems. Erin has a particular interest in ultra-fine wool production from a family farm in the New England region of NSW. She holds a Bachelor of Rural Science (First Class) and a PhD in Animal Breeding and Genetics from UNE. Her current research spans shedding sheep, maternal traits, and resilience in sheep production systems.

Dr Vicky Alexandrou is co-founder of Woven Optics, a South Australian agtech company that developed an on-farm wool fibre testing system delivering real-time, objective micron data at any time throughout the wool production cycle. Together with co-founder Dr Ben Pullen and the team at Woven Optics, Vicky works closely with growers and other wool industry stakeholders to ensure the Wool Scanner system generates valuable and reliable data that supports practical decisions to improve clip value, select premium animals and optimise breeding selection. She advocates for educating people on robust testing methods to ensure high standard measurements and data-driven workflows across the wool industry. Her work focuses on accessible tools that easily integrate into on-farm operations and decision-making.

Bill Mitchell is a beef producer from northern NSW and founder of Optiweigh.

Bill grew up on a family sheep and cattle farm near Armidale. He studied Applied Science at University of NSW in Sydney  before spending the next 15 years in agricultural commodity trading and export – mainly in the wool industry and with Dalgety/Wesfarmers.

On returning to the New England area Bill teamed up with wife Jacqui to evolve their farming business into a specialty grass certified backgrounding and finishing system. A search for solutions to get better insight into cattle growth rates led to Bill developing Optiweigh over the years 2014-2018. In 1029 they proceeded to commercialise Optiweigh and have now sold over 1800 units around Australia and into 5 other export destinations.

Michael Winzar has over 15 years of experience in livestock nutrition and feedlot systems. Working closely with producers, he focuses on practical, results-driven nutrition strategies that improve animal performance and profitability. Representing Australian Probiotic Solutions, Michael is presenting a lamb feedlot trial exploring the use of probiotics in lamb diets to enhance weight gain and overall efficiency. This work is centered on delivering commercially viable solutions that translate research into real-world outcomes for the Australian sheep industry.

Mark Ferguson (Ferg) is the CEO of neXtgen Agri International, a leading Trans-Tasman livestock genetics consulting business. Holding a PhD in genetics, Ferg leads a team of independent specialists delivering evidence-based genetics consulting to sheep and beef cattle producers across Australia and New Zealand. He drives innovation through leading research, development, and extension projects that translate cutting-edge science into practical on-farm outcomes. He also hosts the Head Shepherd podcast. Beyond his professional life, Ferg is currently running the TwentySix2000, a 2,000km fundraising challenge for brain cancer research and enjoys fishing and cooking lamb on the BBQ.

Stephanie “Steph” began her wool industry career in 1977, completing a two-year Professional Wool Classing course at Marleston School of Wool & Textiles as one of South Australia’s first female graduates. Her career spans 15 years in shearing sheds as a rouseabout and wool classer, alongside international experience in the USA, United Kingdom and New Zealand. Steph spent 10 years as a Private Wool Buyer with GH Michell & Sons before joining Elders in 2004, where she is now Wool Agent and District Wool Manager. She remains actively involved in her family’s self-replacing Merino and First Cross operation at Lucindale.

With six generations of sheep breeding in the Taylor family, Chad and Louise have combined traditional farming experience with cutting-edge breeding technologies to produce the modern Mumblebone Merino.
Using advanced tools to drive measurable genetic gain, Mumblebone is now well established as an industry leader in aligning high-performance production goals with the increasingly-discerning needs of their customer.
Mumblebone’s industry-wide recognition speaks to the company’s unerring focus on innovative breeding and their quality team to bring it all together.

Katherine Bain has always had a strong passion for agriculture, particularly sheep and wool production. After completing a Bachelor of Agribusiness at Marcus Oldham College, she worked with Paraway Pastoral, gaining valuable experience in corporate farm management. In 2021, Katherine returned to her family’s 2,000-hectare property in South West Victoria, where she now works alongside her parents and partner, Ben. The enterprise runs 15,000 head of 17-micron Merinos under Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) accreditation, with a strong focus on wool production and biodiversity management of the region’s unique Volcanic Grasslands. 

Emma and her family run a commercial self-replacing Merino and beef business, based near Booroorban in south western NSW.

Before returning to the family business, Emma completed a Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Business at the University of New England. Following which she worked in Meat and Livestock Australia’s Sheep Genetics team, where she supported ram breeders and the wider industry in the use of objective measurement tools to inform genetic selection decisions.

Emma is passionate about ensuring the sustainability of farming businesses into the future and encouraging young people to engage in the Australian sheep industry.

Amy’s research focuses on resilience in Merino sheep, particularly the biological and genetic factors that enable animals to cope with challenges in commercial production environments.​

Her work aims to develop tools that help identify resilient animals early in life, supporting more informed and sustainable selection decisions. Evidence from other livestock industries shows that selecting solely for production can compromise long-term health and fitness, and Amy’s recent multi-year project in Merinos highlights the importance of balancing these traits.

By understanding the relationships between production, health and fitness, her research supports improved productivity, resource efficiency and animal welfare across Australian sheep systems.

Peta Bradley is the Manager of Sheep Genetics at Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and has worked across the Livestock Genetics team for nine years. She holds a Bachelor of Rural Science from the University of New England and is based on her family’s property near Armatree in Central West NSW, where they run a commercial and seedstock sheep enterprise.

Peta is passionate about helping producers access Australia’s world‑leading genetic evaluation service to drive on‑farm progress. Outside of work, she enjoys a variety endurance and ice swimming challenges.

Sally Martin grew up on a grazing property on the Monaro, where she developed an early passion for livestock and agriculture. With qualifications in Agricultural Science, Genetics and Animal Breeding, and Project Management, Sally spent 20 years with NSW DPI before founding SheepMetriX in 2011. Based in Young, NSW, SheepMetriX supports sheep and goat producers across Australia and internationally, helping them use data to improve breeding, genetics, reproduction and grazing decisions. Sally has also played a key role in major extension and research initiatives and contributes to a range of industry boards and advisory committees.

Tim and his wife Georgie run Paradoo Prime at Pigeon Ponds in western Victoria, operating a self-replacing prime lamb flock, seedstock business and cattle backgrounding enterprise. Over their careers they have significantly expanded the business, with a strong focus on productivity, land development and practical innovation. Tim developed the Precision Lambing system, delivering standout lamb survival and performance results, and has been involved in industry benchmarking and R&D for more than 20 years. He also delivers Lifetime Ewe Management and High Performance Weaners programs and is well known for sharing knowledge across the industry.

Sammy McIntyre is a prime lamb producer from South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula who combines practical farming with a strong agribusiness background. After working in agribusiness finance, she built a self-replacing composite flock and now uses data and technology to improve productivity and decision-making. Farming in a high-rainfall but increasingly variable climate, Sammy has adopted lamb feedlotting and ewe containment systems to manage drought and seasonal pressure. As a Nuffield Scholar, she studied intensive livestock systems across ten countries, exploring how animal behaviour influences welfare, performance, meat quality and social licence in Australia’s red meat industry.

Nicholas Economou is the farm manager of a sheep and cropping operation at Wickliffe, Victoria, where he oversees a pasture-based enterprise including a breeding flock of 4,000 ewes. Passionate about pasture management and practical on-farm improvement, Nicholas has recently expanded into feedlotting lambs, beginning in the summers of 2024 and 2025. That experience led him to investigate water quality, where he identified high bacteria levels affecting livestock performance. Since then, he has implemented a method to improve water quality, reflecting his hands-on approach to solving challenges and improving outcomes in sheep production.

Larry Walker holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Chemistry) from GIAE (1988) and is the Owner and Director of Southern Scientific Services P/L, a role he has held since 1998. He is an analytical specialist with extensive expertise in chromatography-based testing for agricultural and environmental applications, using advanced HPLC and GC methods. Larry provides localised water analysis services and operates a national service laboratory for ergot and phalaris alkaloids. He also works as an antibiotic specialist for the Federal Department of Agriculture and the abattoir industry. His work supports producers and industry to better understand and manage risks impacting animal health and productivity.

Dr Holly Ludeman is the Group Veterinarian at Milne AgriGroup, where she focuses on animal health, stakeholder engagement and supporting producers through science-based nutrition. Her experience spans livestock production, live export and industry advocacy. With a foundation in agricultural science and veterinary medicine, she is known for driving animal welfare improvements and shaping supply chain innovation. Holly founded The Livestock Collective, a leading industry communications platform, and has been recognised for her leadership across Western Australia’s livestock sector. She brings a wealth of knowledge from paddock to policy, championing practical solutions and industry progress.

Bea Litchfield is a Director of Hazeldean, a sixth-generation Merino and Angus seedstock business known for its commitment to industry-leading genetics and long-term commercial performance. With experience across both practical stud operations and agribusiness, Bea leads Hazeldean’s strategic direction with a strong focus on people, land and livestock. She is committed to profitable, commercially relevant breeding, and to advancing innovation and technology within the family business. Bea with her husband Ed, has 3 young boys, 5, 3 and 1 to keep them on their toes and enjoys working horses and dogs when she can.

Charles Cay is the General Manager and Shareholder of Warrembool Pty Ltd. Alongside his family and the Warrembool team, Charles has grown the company over the past 25 years from the original family holding at Corowa to the current size with properties across NSW and Victoria. Charles also worked for Growth Farms for a number of years, as well as previously on advisory boards for other farming businesses, Melbourne University and industry groups. He is also Vice Chair of the charity Boys to the Bush.

Based in Inverleigh, Victoria, Nathan is the managing director of Achieve Ag Solutions and a member of the LambEx26 Taskforce. He has a background in prime lamb, merino wool and beef

production, and a passion for improving the productivity and profitability of livestock enterprises. He works with producers to increase conception rates, improve lamb survival, lift growth rates, and hone overall management. Nathan provides advice to individual clients, works with a number of producer groups, is a keynote speaker, guest lecturer and is involved within various industry

projects.

Bec Vickers is Recruitment Manager at Drover Ag, specialising in aligning talent with the unique needs of the agricultural sector. Raised on family cattle properties in Queensland’s Wide Bay region, she brings strong hands-on industry experience, including time in the stud cattle sector. Bec spent over 11 years in Employment Services, developing a deep understanding of employer needs and recruitment processes. She joined Drover Ag in 2022 and was promoted to Recruitment Manager in 2024. Now based on her family’s commercial beef operation, Bec combines practical insight with professional expertise to deliver effective recruitment solutions across Australia.

Stevi Howdle is the Executive Officer of Farmsafe Australia, the national peak body for farm safety. With a background in psychology, marketing and community engagement, she brings a practical, people-focused approach to improving safety and wellbeing across Australian agriculture. Stevi works closely with farmers, industry and government to drive behaviour change through storytelling, evidence-informed campaigns and strong partnerships. Passionate about rural communities, she is committed to ensuring every person on farm gets home safe, while supporting a stronger, more resilient agricultural sector for the future.

Chloe Smart has hands on experience across Australia’s sheep industry, from pastoral station work in South Australia and New South Wales, to industry roles with the National Farmers' Federation. She now works as a Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator with the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board. Through her role on the Taskforce for the LambEx 2026 Conference and her broader industry involvement, Chloe is passionate about supporting the next generation of leaders and fostering connection, innovation, and leadership to ensure a strong and sustainable future for Australia’s sheep industry

Luke Bowden is Food Service Category Manager at APCO Service Stations, a family-owned business offering 24/7 fuel, convenience, supermarket and café services. With a background in marketing and culinary arts, he blends commercial insight with hands-on food expertise. Formerly Chef de Cuisine of QSR at the MCG, he led high-volume operations for crowds of more than 90,000 and worked with Meat & Livestock Australia on the Lamb Paddock. At APCO, he has helped drive quick service innovation, including the popular Lamb Jaffle, making Australian lamb more accessible to everyday consumers.

Tom Bouchier grew up in the family business, Peter Bouchier, where an early interest in the meat industry became a lifelong career. Dux of his trade school class, Tom has built deep experience across butchery, smallgoods, wholesale, retail and industry education. In 2015, he consulted in Vietnam to help establish an Australian-style butcher shop in Ho Chi Minh City. Tom has represented Australia in the World Butchers’ Challenge since 2011 and was named to the prestigious All Star Team in 2023. As Retail Operations Manager at Peter Bouchier, he remains committed to advancing the meat industry.

Nikki Atkinson is the founder and designer of Horrocks Vale Collections, an Australian label creating fine Merino wool wedding dresses and special occasion wear. After selling her Adelaide bridal boutique, she married a wool grazier and now designs from the property in the Flinders Ranges, blending couture craft with agriculture. With 27 years’ experience as a bridal couturier, Nikki reimagines Merino as a luxury alternative to polyester, valued for drape, softness and comfort. Passionate about slow fashion, she champions the generational work of wool-growing families. Recently, her UK bridal fair showcase drew attention for its originality and sustainability.

Sherri Symons is a fifth-generation farmer, wool classer, and founder of WoolGrow Australia. Working from her family farm in South-West Victoria, she has helped bring wool pellets and wool-based soil products into the Australian market, using coarse crossbred wool in new and practical ways. With years of hands-on experience in shearing sheds and agriculture, Sherri is recognised for her practical approach to innovation and her commitment to creating new value for an often-overlooked fibre.

Mark was raised on a dryland cropping property at Waitchie, Northwest Victoria, where the family continue to farm today. With a degree in Business Economics, Mark has dedicated his professional career to banking Australian agriculture through a variety of customer relationship and senior management roles, spanning over 30 years, and is well respected as an industry expert.

For the last 14 years, Mark has been responsible for the performance of ANZ Agribusiness in Australia, providing service to family farms with traditional banking requirements, through to the broad financial needs of larger corporate farmers and Agribusiness.

Passionate about the opportunities for farming and our regional landscape, Mark and ANZ are dedicated to bringing insight and understanding, gleaned from daily transactions and time spent in key global markets, for the benefit of their customers and industry.

Jana Hocken is the founder of The LeanFarmProject and a global advocate for transforming agriculture through lean thinking. With nearly 25 years’ experience and as a former Toyota engineer, she brings deep expertise in continuous improvement and high-performance systems and teams. Since introducing lean in 2017 on her family’s New Zealand dairy farms, she has engaged with thousands of farmers globally. Jana is an international speaker, author of The Lean Dairy Farm book, and founder of The LeanFarmSchool and a global farmer community The LeanFarm Network, supporting farmers to build profitable, sustainable, high-performing businesses using lean thinking. 

Nathan Wessling is the Chief Executive Officer of AJ & PA McBride Ltd, one of Australia’s largest and longest-established family-owned wool producers. Now in its 106th year, the sixth-generation company remains wholly owned the McBride family and has a primary focus on large-scale Merino wool production, alongside complementary sheep meat, lamb and beef enterprises. Nathan holds a Bachelor of Accounting and is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia. He joined the company twenty-five  years ago and became CEO in 2022. In 2020 he completed the Advanced Management Program at the Melbourne Business School through an Industry Leaders’ Fund scholarship. 

Nathaniel Modra is an agribusiness consultant and founder of Brivon, working with livestock and mixed farming businesses across Australia. He focuses on helping producers make clearer financial and operational decisions, grounded in how farms actually run. Nathaniel has strong experience in benchmarking, cost of production and working alongside banks and advisers to improve business performance. At LambEx 2026, he will share practical insights on how to work proactively with your bank, using timely information and clear communication to support better decisions, manage risk and back growth opportunities.