Welcome to LambEx 2024, where the morning begun with the dynamic podcast duo, Mike Rolls and Ben Pettengill, the voices behind “Legless and Blind,” who set the stage with a skit amongst a campfire setting.
The atmosphere was further enriched by John Schumann and his band, who paid a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of the Australian sheep industry with a stirring rendition of “Waltzing Matilda.”
In his opening speech at LambEx 2024, Chair Jason Schulz addressed the challenges facing the sheep industry, emphasising the need for a shift in mindset and innovative thinking to overcome obstacles such as high production costs and perceptions of labour intensity.
"All this can be fixed with a shift in attitude, a change in mindset, and a desire to think outside the box and break away from traditional views, industry perceptions, and unsustainable practices," Mr Schulz said.
Mr Schulz stressed the importance of creating an efficient, resilient, and easy-care future for sheep enterprises, urging producers to treat their operations with the same strategic investment seen in broadacre cropping enterprises.
Mr Schulz highlighted the necessity of infrastructure and equipment investment to gain efficiencies and track performance effectively, similar to grain monitoring systems.
"No longer should it be about dollars per head, but about blowing them away with kilos per hectare and profits per DSE," he said.
To further evolve, Schulz called for leveraging investments in abattoir technology and viewing sheep products, both meat and fibre, not merely as commodities but as quality products with unique market diversities.
"Producers have to continue to create the sheep of the future with a focus on a balance of traits to ensure our flocks have both performance and eating quality," he said.
Schulz also underscored the importance of good welfare practices, environmental citizenship, and effectively communicating the industry's efforts to the public. "We need to tell our story so people are aware of our efforts in our industry," he urged.
Additionally, Mr Schulz set a three-part challenge for attendees to maximise their conference experience for both personal and professional growth.
Mr Schulz emphasised the importance of obtaining new information or research to implement on farms or in workplaces, finding innovative equipment or technology to improve on-farm efficiencies, and identifying at least one industry connection to follow up with post-conference.
He stressed that the value of the conference lies in the actionable changes attendees make afterward.
"It's no good having this conference in a room full of hot air if we don't individually make changes back home and within the industry.
"If we all take on this challenge, it will go a long way in leaving a legacy that LambEx has always been known for and will further progress our sheep industry by seizing opportunities and leveraging learnings,” Mr Schulz said.
Encouraging attendees to maximise their conference experience, Schulz expressed his South Australian pride in introducing the emcee for the event, Jess Adamson.
Mr Schulz set the stage for a dynamic and insightful LambEx 2024, highlighting the importance of innovation and forward-thinking in securing a successful future for the sheep industry.
