INAUGURAL LambEx 2014 Young Gun winner Caris Jones, Armidale, NSW, says the best opportunity which 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.
“It has helped so much from a networking perspective, being able to meet people already established within the sheep and lamb industry to meeting the other finalists.
“I met my now boss, plus many other people from key industry groups including Australian Wool Innovation and Meat and Livestock Australia.”
Caris said attending LambEx had also been a boost, providing a wide-range of interesting issues and topics.
“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,” she said.
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.
Caris will explore the application she sees for MERINOSELECT in Merino breeding enterprises, including her own family’s stud breeding enterprise in Western Australia.
“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 said her ultimate aim had 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.”
Details: To enter visit lambex.com.au
