A NATIONWIDE muster for exciting images that showcase the people, sustainability, innovation and best practice management of Australia’s sheep meat industry has been started.

The Sheepmeat Council of Australia today launched the 2016 StockTAKE Photo Competition, encouraging all sheep producers and industry supporters to get their cameras or smart phones out in the yards, paddocks or workplaces to capture the industry in action.

It is the first time the SCA has run a competition to celebrate the industry, which will culminate with announcements of the winners at the industry’s premier conference, LambEx 2016 in Albury, NSW, from August 10-12.

There are three categories:

– Junior category … for budding photographers aged 5-17. The winner of this section will receive $250 in cash and the runner-up $100.

– Open category … for photographers 18 and over. The open category winner will receive $500 and the runner-up $250.

– People’s Choice Award … LambEx 2016 delegates will have the chance to vote and select the ‘People’s Pic’. All voters go into the draw to win an iPad. The winning People’s Choice photographer will receive $250.

The five best entries, as judged by SCA and industry representatives, in the Junior and Open categories will be on display at LambEx 2016. All finalists will receive a framed copy of their photo.

SCA president Jeff Murray said the council is expecting the competition will uncover some great images which cover the breadth and diversity of activities in the industry.

“The council’s role is to advocate for the producers in our industry and traditionally that includes representing producers’ views to decision-makers but it can also include celebrating everything that is great about our industry,” Mr Murray said.

“I encourage everyone to get out their cameras and get creative in telling the visual story of what makes our industry great.”

Entries close on Monday, July 25, 2016. A competition flyer and terms and conditions are available at www.sheepmeatcouncil.com.au. Entries can be lodged online.