Students from across the world have gathered in Wagga for the 2024 Intercollegiate Meat Judging Association (ICMJ) National Conference. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Agriculture and vet students from around the world landed in Wagga this week to participate in the 2024 Intercollegiate Meat Judging Association (ICMJ) National Conference.
Students from across Australia, the United States and Japan have come together to take part in the conference as well as learn about potential career paths within the meat industry.
ICMJ President Dr Peter McGilchrist said the conference, now in its 35th year, allowed students to learn from industry leaders about consumers, farmers and butchers’ concerns and demands of the meat industry.
“There’s a lot of demand for these graduates in our industry,” Dr McGilchrist said.
“We’re trying to really inspire and develop the future leaders for the red meat industry. We’re trying to showcase the tech, development and opportunities as well as the challenges that exist in this industry as well as highlighting the bright future that they could have with a career in the industry.”
Alongside the seminars and career expos is a meat judging competition being held at Teys Australia today (6 July).
Teams from Australia, Japan and the United States will put what they’ve learnt to the test when they compete in a meat judging competition this Saturday (6 July). Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Dr McGilchrist said the meat judging competition helped students understand what consumers were looking for.
“We’re trying to show the students that there is a variation in quality,” Dr McGilchrist said.
“Different brands will demonstrate to the students how they distinguish the good, better and best types of meat and how types of meat drive the values of income.
“We’ve got 12 teams here this year, which is really exciting. We’ve got 10 Australian teams and then two international teams. A team from the US and a team from Japan as well, which are two of our great trading partners for red meat out of Australia.”
Fourth-year Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science student Ms Jasmine Wholton has participated in the event since 2022 and this year will be leading the CSU team as coach.
“For the last two years, I have coached the Charles Sturt University team and am looking forward to once again ensuring the 2024 Charles Sturt team takes away as much as possible,” she said.
“The national ICMJ conference allows students to mingle with other like-minded students from all over Australia and be introduced to industry professionals.
“It is a great opportunity to get insights from industry leaders into current issues facing our industry.
“As a veterinary student passionate about beef production, this conference gives me the opportunities for placements and networking with professionals and students who will work alongside me in my career.”
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