BIENNIAL sheep conference LambEx26 today announced its semi-finalists in the Coles Trailblazers, a competition celebrating the young professionals, producers, scientists and students shaping the future of Australia’s sheep industry.

LambEx26 said the Coles Trailblazers program provides a national platform for emerging industry voices to showcase their ideas, skills and innovation, challenge conventional thinking and demonstrate how they can make a meaningful difference across the sheep industry, now and into the future.

The program semi-finalists will make their pitches on stage one on Day 1, Tuesday 7 July before a live audience and expert judging panel. Three finalists will progress to the main stage on Thursday 9 July to present in front of the full LambEx audience, with winners announced at the Elders Grandslamb Gala Dinner.

The 2026 Coles Trailblazers semi‑finalists

Bianca Agenbag

Senior research officer at the South Australian Research and Development Institute working within the livestock welfare and innovation team based at Turretfield Research Centre Bianca Agenbag will present Ewe Herd Us, a virtual fencing concept designed specifically for sheep. The Adelaide University PhD student is also completing my PhD at Adelaide University focusing on colostrum quality in Merinos.

Tara Farms

Farmer, media creator and Tara Farms founder, Tara will pitch why farmers must tell their own story — or risk others getting it wrong – showing how honest, farmer‑led digital content can help rebuild trust with the public. She has established a YouTube channel generating more than 40 million views alongside a sheep and egg farming business.

Dr Jamee Daly

Reproductive biologist and early career researcher with the South Australian Research and Development Institute Dr Jamee Daly will present a speed‑breeding approach using juvenile IVF and embryo transfer (JIVET) to rapidly fast‑track superior sheep genetics to boost productivity and efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity per kilogram of lamb while improving profitability and aligning with sustainability goals across the supply chain.

Rebecca Farnell

Third year PhD candidate at Federation University, Rebecca Farnell, who will propose 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. Her primary research involves the development of a rapid diagnostic for surveillance of Barber’s Pole worm and other worm infections in livestock in Victoria.

Angus Langsmith

Final year University of New England Bachelor of Rural Science student Angus Langsmith comes  from a beef and sheep property near Glencoe inSouth Australia and will outline a dual identification solution that backs up RFID hook tracking with a visual carcase number, ensuring reliable data flow and enabling better on‑farm decisions and genetic selection, and stronger returns from EID investment.

Experienced and credentialed agricultural education Jordan Norman’s pitch will focus on changing how the sheep industry is understood by students beyond the farm gate and is proposing 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. He is the 2025 PIEFA Compendium Intern and 2026 Student Compendium Project Officer with the Ag Institute Australia (SA Division) and also works at Urrbrae Agricultural High School as a student support officer.

Emily Steer

Third year University of Adelaide Animal Science student and 2026 PIEFA–AIA Student Compendium Intern Emily Steer, who will present Paddock to Practice, a national digital platform that delivers clear, region‑specific research insights directly to producers, linking practical tools with trained research translators and regional on‑farm hubs. She is undertaking the 2026 PIEFA–AIA Student Compendium Internship and in 2026 was awarded an Australian Wool Education Trust Small Initiatives Grant.

In the lead‑up to LambEx26, Coles Trailblazers will undertake a structured development journey designed to sharpen both their ideas and their delivery. Through guided practice sessions, peer feedback and a dedicated professional speaking and presentation day in Adelaide on 2 June, participants will build confidence, refine their messaging and develop high‑impact communication skills under the guidance of experienced facilitator, Nathan Scott.

The program’s semi‑final round will be judged by Coles assistant category manager Annabel McBride; Meat & Livestock Australia editorial manager Rebecca Jennings; Agvocacy Consulting founder Claire Taylor; University of New England University of New England meat scientist Professor Peter McGilchrist.

The three finalists presenting on the main stage will be judged by Livestock SA chair Gillian Fennell; Australian Wool Innovation national extension manager Emily King, and Triggervale Merinos owner Andrew Bouffler.

Finalists will compete for a suite of cash prizes recognising leadership, innovation and emerging talent, including the LambEx Coles Trailblazer winner ($3000), the LambEx Coles Trailblazer Junior Achiever Award for participants under 24 ($1000) and the LambEx Coles Trailblazing Concept Award ($500). Winners will be recognised on the LambEx26 stage as leaders helping to shape what comes next for the sheep industry.

LambEx26 will be held from 7 to 10 July at the Adelaide Convention Centre, bringing together producers, researchers, processors and industry leaders from across Australia and beyond.

Early bird registrations close on 15 May.

Tickets are available at www.lambex.org.au/tickets