Elders was proud to be part of LambEx 2026 in Adelaide, joining producers, industry leaders, researchers, processors, exporters and advisors from across the country for Australia’s premier sheep industry conference.
With a strong contingent of Elders representatives attending throughout the event, LambEx provided an important opportunity to connect with clients, share knowledge, explore emerging opportunities and contribute to conversations shaping the future of the Australian sheep and lamb industry.
Elders Naracoorte livestock production advisor Molly Kalman was one attendee, and she said one of the standout themes of LambEx was the industry’s willingness to share knowledge and work together.
“This event has been very collaborative. It’s great to see lots of different parts of the industry coming together, particularly seeing the younger generation coming through. A statistic from one of the presentations that has stood out is that the average sheep farmer is 62 years old, so it has been heartening to see the next generation get involved,” Molly said.
"One of my favourite sessions was a containment feeding presentation by Sammy McIntyre. Her insights into maintaining animal welfare in containment feeding systems were fascinating. We all, of course, understand the importance of animal wellbeing, but the data and evidence she shared really gave me a new perspective on the impact these systems can have when managed well."
The conference theme, Telling Our Stories, resonated strongly throughout the program, highlighting the importance of sharing the positive stories behind modern agriculture and ensuring the broader community understands the contribution Australian producers make to the economy and regional communities.
Speaking at the Elders Grandslamb Gala Dinner, Elders GM Southern Region Bernard Seal praised the organisers for delivering a conference which highlighted the importance of telling the industry’s story with confidence.
“This has been an outstanding conference that has challenged our thinking, sparked important conversations and reinforced the strength of this industry,” Bernard said.
"If we don't tell our story, someone else will, and too often they only tell part of it. People don't always see the innovation taking place on farms, the continual improvements in animal welfare, the environmental stewardship, the regional jobs, or the families and communities whose livelihoods depend on this industry."
Throughout the conference, Elders staff participated in technical sessions, networking events and industry discussions covering productivity, sustainability, market access, genetics, technology and the long-term outlook for the sheep sector.
Jamestown branch manager Tim Shepherd shared the stage with Vicky Alexandrou from Woven Optics in a joint presentation, and Naracoorte district wool manager Steph Brooker-Jones explored the wool supply chain and its future in a breakfast panel session.
As Bernard noted in his address, "at Elders, we are proud to have been part of the sheep and wool story for nearly two centuries, and we are even more excited about the chapter still to come.”