The Australian ICMJ team to tour the US in 2027 is (from left) coach Jake Bourlet, Emily Mailler, Hannah Johnson, Molly Smith, Emma Wilkinson, Eliza Mactaggart, Charlie Lawler and coach Molly Greentree.

SIX university students have been selected to represent Australia on the national meat judging team to tour the United States early next year.

Emily Mailler and Emma Wilkinson from the University of New England, Charlie Lawler, Molly Smith and Hannah Johnson from the University of Queensland, and Eliza Mactaggart from Marcus Oldham College will take part in a range of red meat industry tours in Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas and Oklahoma to test their knowledge in two highly-competitive US meat judging events.

The students earned their places following a selection process that began at the ICMJ National Conference and Competition in Wagga Wagga in July and concluded during the Intensive Industry Education and Development Week in south-east Queensland on Wednesday.

While the Australian ICMJ team is usually comprised of five students, coaches Molly Greentree and Jake Bourlet said the calibre of this year’s candidates made it impossible to split the final six.

“Selecting the team is never easy, but this year the final six demonstrated such a strong combination of enthusiasm, curiosity, capability and professionalism that we could not separate them,” Ms Greentree said.

“Each student brings something different to the team, and the learnings they will take from their experiences in the US will further build their skills for a successful career in the red meat industry.”

Mr Bourlet said the experience would challenge the students to think beyond Australia’s production systems and consider how the experiences of the world’s largest beef producing nation could help shape the industry at home.

“They will see different approaches to production and processing, test their knowledge in an international setting and develop professional networks that can stay with them throughout their careers,” Mr Bourlet said.

Emily Mailler said being chosen to represent Australia’s red meat industry was an incredible honour.

“ICMJ has definitely broadened my perspective on the processing side of the industry and opened my eyes to the breadth of careers and opportunities that exist, so having the chance to now experience the US industry will take that learning to another level,” Ms Mailler said.

“I am looking forward to challenging myself, learning from the people we meet and bringing home ideas and perspectives that I can apply throughout my career.”

Charlie Lawler said he was thrilled to be selected to the Australian ICMJ team.

“To represent Australia alongside such a passionate and capable group of students is something I am extremely proud of,” Mr Lawler said.

“The US is a major force in global beef production, and being able to see its supply chain firsthand will help us better understand the opportunities ahead for Australian red meat producers and processors.”

The Intensive Industry Education and Development Week was supported by industry partner AUS-MEAT.

ICMJ is supported by foundation partners Meat & Livestock Australia and Australian Meat Processor Corporation, along with a range of industry partners.

Source: ICMJ