LambEx 2026: Meet Mae Tarpay

Posted on June 17, 2026

Mae Tarpay

At 26, Kojonup feedlot manager Mae Tarpay is helping shape the future of Western Australia’s sheep and lamb industry through practical innovation and strong on-ground leadership.

Working at a large-scale lamb finishing operation, Mae manages all of the day-to-day activities, including livestock induction, animal welfare, nutrition programs, and coordination of staff and contractors. Leading a team of 6–8 people, she works closely with transport operators, shearers, and livestock agents to ensure a smooth and efficient operation.

Her passion for agriculture began at Denmark College of Agriculture, where hands-on learning sparked her interest in livestock production. After completing a Diploma in Agriculture, she gained on-farm experience before stepping into the feedlot sector, where she has since progressed into a management role.

Mae places strong emphasis on continuous improvement. A recent initiative, responding to processor feedback, saw the introduction of straw bedding in feedlot pens to reduce dust levels, resulting in a significant reduction in pleurisy-affected carcases during summer, improved animal welfare and overall feedlot productivity.

She believes there remains significant untapped potential in the Australian lamb industry through improved nutrition strategies, adoption of technologies such as hook tracking, and continued advances in animal welfare and sustainability.

Mae says LambEx 2026 represents an important opportunity to connect with industry leaders, share ideas and bring practical innovations back to Western Australia. She is particularly looking forward to engaging with producers, processors, researchers and emerging leaders from across Australia and overseas. Attending the producer-led sessions, on-farm tours and Raid Fire Insights (particularly on nutrition and probiotics) will provide practical outcomes directly impacting the feedlotting industry.

She is committed to sharing learnings gained through LambEx with her business and wider producer networks, and to continuing to build practical, on-the-ground improvements within the WA sheep industry.