LambEx chairman Jamie Heinrich. Source – LambEx.

LAMBEX26 chairman Jamie Heinrich has highlighted the international and youthful flavour of the biennial conference, while lauding his committee and the grass roots farmers that presented at many of the sessions in Adelaide last week.

“What an amazing few days we’ve had,” he said in his wrap up of the conference.

“As a sheep farmer I never thought I would be standing up here in front of 1400 peopleon the same stage as Mick Fanning and insanely impressive individuals such as Kurt Fearnley.

“But as Charlie Blomfield has said: ‘Sometimes you have to f… around and find out, so here I am,” he said.

“And if Mick Fanning can win three world champion(ship)s by faking it, we, we can run an event can’t we.”

Mr Heinrich said LambEx is an amazing event that is so important to the whole industry.

“Even if I could have a small impact on that it was just a no-brainer to be involved, but I am only a small part of that.”

But he thanked the LambEx Taskforce, the 28 National board, “our amazing CEO (Lauren Watt)” and the whole Lambex team. He said he was also proud of the farmers that presented at LambEx.

“I know that a lot of them were very nervous to get up here and speak in front of you all, but we really wanted to tell real stories about our farmers, and get them up here, because they are all amazing people and they just did an amazing job.”

“Not withstanding I am proud of all of you in the room, we are the best industry in the world.

“I honestly believe that and what all you do every day for our industry and for our country and everything, you should be proud.”

Mr Heinrich showed a map that indicated LambEx delegates came from all states and territories to the conference, as well as New Zealand and further afield, especially the United States, Canada and Mexico.

LambEx was all too much for third-generation sheep fan and future LambEx delegate Alex Kellock from Farrell Flat, SA. Photo – Sue Webster.

“To be all in the same room, the energy that we’ve had, the discussions that we’ve had, it’s just been a buzz … it’s just good to see you all here in the same place.

“It truly is an international event; we’ve got over 100 internationals here and that’s been growing at every LambEx and it’s really good to see.

“I’ve really enjoyed talking to all of you, at the end of the day we’re all doing the same thing; we’re running sheep and producing an amazing product for the world, and it is so great to see.”

Mr Heinrich thanked the sponsors and more than 100 exhibitors to create LambEx‘s biggest ever trade floor.

Mr Heinrich said he had learned so many new things he would be able to apply on his Kangaroo Island farm.

“I’m just going to be overwhelmed with all the ideas I have.

“But as Gus (Balbontin) said, you have to pull the future to you, So I’m just going to go and find a new thing every chance I can and implement it into our business, though I’m not going to go and learn how to tattoo myself, I think I will pass on that.”

Mr Heinrich said the LambEx delegates represented more than 3.8 million sheep, nearly half of those attending were under the age of 40 and the Coles Trailblazers program had been amazing.

“The industry is looking pretty bright for the future.

“And if (Global AgriTrends analyst) Brett Stuart’s market predictions have got anything to show it’s going to be a pretty exciting few years ahead in prices and hopefully the weather is going to be what he predicts and now what BOM (the Bureau of Meteorology) predicts.”

Mr Heinrich said work had been going in the background for LambEx 2028.

“I can’t quite announce where the next one will be and what time it’s going to be, but it is going to be bigger and better than ever and I really look forward to seeing all of you there.

“Watch this space, it will be announced very soon,” he said.

“Thank you for a great event and for being a great bunch of people.”

Around the floor at LambEx 2026

MLA chef-legend Sam Burke, left, with regen guru Charlie Arnott. Photo – Sue Webster.

Former shearer Dan Mraz and wife Courtney from Seaspray, Victoria., at LambEx. Photo – Sue Webster.\

Enjoying LambEx, from left, were NZ wool grower James Hunter, Zentera Wool Company’s general manager of global supply Matt Hand and WA wool grower David Thompson.

Keeping the University of New England front and centre were Lily Moore, a second-year B. Ag student and lecturer Dr James Preston. Photo – Sue Webster.

Preparing for another round of LambEx breakfast sessions were Marcus Oldham student Jock Adamson, left, and session presenter, consultant Nathan Scott.

Sheep and wool producers Peter Hawkins, left, and Ben Duxson, share some thoughts before the breakfast sessions.

From left, Dr Kat Giles, Ella Matta Pastoral’s Sophie Wauchope and LambEx chairman Jamie Heinrich enjoyed the fare at LambEx.