From the first year Sarah Westerholm attended the SA Sheep Expo in 2016 she has been hooked, only missing being an entrant for the two years when COVID forced the event's cancellation.
"When I started I was still at high school. My ag teacher said they thought I would be interested in the Heifer Expo but the Sheep Expo was earlier in the year - I ended up doing both," she said.
"I love learning and meeting new people every year. It always falls near my birthday so it is a nice birthday treat too."
The 21-year-old, who grew up on a hobby farm, says the event has opened her eyes to the many career opportunities in the sheep industry. She works as an artificial insemination technician for Brecon Breeders, Keith, while also studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology.
It was even the catalyst to her registering her own Suffolk stud after helping other breeders she met at the Expo show their sheep.
Ms Westerholm is among 121 entrants from SA, Vic, NSW and Tas who have converged on the Adelaide Showground this week.
As a senior entrant she will be vying for the major prize, the ASSBA and Sheep Industry Fund Award of Excellence and study tour of New Zealand which is announced on Friday.
SA Sheep Expo chairman Mark Grossman said the event was important to get the next generation enthusiastic about the sheep industry and provide them with more knowledge on sheep and wool.
The theme of the expo is Lamb and Technology with the program including lectures on nutrition, public speaking, eID, animal assessment and AWI's Winning with Weaners, as well as judging on the final day.
"It is great to see some of the past entrants are coming back to help other young ones," he said.
