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INAUGURAL LambEx 2014 Young Guns winner Caris Jones, Armidale, New South Wales, quickly says the best opportunity that came from her win – was meeting her future employer.
Now working as a Sheep Genetics MERINOSELECT Development Officer Caris entered the competition in the Honours, MSc , PhD section, to promote the results of her University of Western Australia Bachelor of Agricultural Science Honours project on the topic: Improving feed efficiency has a negative impact on the fertility of Merino ewes mated at seven to 10 months of age.
“It was a chance to promote my results, but it has led to so much more,” she said.
“For anyone hesitant to enter, I would really encourage them to give it a go.
“It has helped so much from a networking perspective, being able to meet people already established within the sheep and lamb industry to meeting other finalists.
“I met my now boss, plus many other people from key industry groups including Australian Wool Innovation and Meat & Livestock Australia.”
Caris said being able to attend LambEx 2014 had also been a boost.
“The presentations were really worthwhile listening to,” she said.
“The wide-range of issues and topics discussed was very interesting and I learnt a fair bit – lamb survival was a highlight.
“From a producer perspective the industry stands were also great, I attended with my parents and we ended up buying quite a few different products.”
Caris will return to LambEx 2016 on August 10-12 in Albury, NSW, as a presenter – to share her insights into making a professional career in the sheep industry and exploring the application she sees for MERINOSELECT in Merino breeding enterprises, including her own family’s stud breeding enterprise in WA.
“I’m really excited to be able to come and present at LambEx this year,” she said.
“It’s a great opportunity to be able to come back and be a part of the event, I really look forward to attending and meeting this year’s Young Gun finalists.”
Growing up on Ejanding Poll Merino Stud at Dowerin, WA, Caris says her ultimate aim has always been to work in the sheep and lamb industry.
“I always wanted to go straight back on the farm but my father insisted I get a trade or study first,” she said.
“After finishing uni I went back on the farm but only lasted six-months before I called up my Honours supervisor, who coincidentally had received funding for a new project that same day. I started working there the following Monday.
“Then through LambEx I had the opportunity to gain employment as a MERINOSELECT Development Officer, it’s been a really interesting role that I enjoy immensely.
“Breeding and genetics is where I get my sheep geek on, the potential for genetic gain is there and it’s really exciting to be able to work with people on this.”
Entries for the LambEx 2016 Young Guns Competition are now open, and close on June 6, 2016.
Download the entry form at www.lambex.com.au
For a high resolution photo of Caris click here
Media or competition enquiries:
Tracy Lamb, convener, LambEx committee member, 0408 443 267 or tracy.lamb@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Event enquiries:
EPP Events Pty Ltd, 1800 177 636, donna@eppevents.com.au
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