Next Gen 2024 Projects
The global sheep industry faces various challenges and opportunities that require collaborative efforts and innovative solutions. The Global Sheep Forum’s Next Generation Programme combined young sheep farmers into four groups, to explore a specific challenge or opportunity and analyse how it is being addressed in each respective country.
The groups were first introduced to each other in May and interacted through a series of online meetings and in-person collaboration at the LambEx event in Australia. In October, the participants presented on the topics to highlight insights
into the challenges, opportunities and potential avenues for future cooperation between GSF member countries.
Alanah Boxhall (AUS), Jake Benson (USA) and Olivia Ellis (NZ) chose to focus on the wool industry for their project. Observing the downturn in the industry, the group sought to research and explore how the wool industry could be revitalised in the current and future climate. The passionate trio presented on their topic which can be viewed through the recording in the link below.
Ed Brandt (UK), Hamish Best (NZ), Isaac Matchett (USA) and Jeff Campbell (CAN) chose to explore parasites and drench resistance. The group explored the challenges, success and opportunities they had found to help alleviate and overcome the issues that drench resistance posed welfare, productivity and profitability. The inspired four presented on their topic which can be viewed through the recording in the link below.
After establishing a commonality in the aging demographic of farmers in each of their respective countries, Brittany Bolt (AUS), Kyle Hurley (USA) and Matt Francisco (CAN) investigated the challenges and opportunities facing the next generation of sheep producers. The group sought to identify the importance of the next and investigated the selling points to retain and attract next generation producers. You can view the recording of the uplifting project in the link below.
Hannah Logan (CAN), Katie Evans and Tiffany Davey (AUS) focussed on animal welfare and how it can be enhanced now and into the future. The group investigated the access to pharmaceuticals and veterinarians as well as welfare improvements from advancements to technology and meat processing. You can view the recording of their exciting project in the link below.