More than 150 competitors from across Australia’s tertiary learning institutions, plus four overseas teams, were involved in the 2019 ICMJ meat judging competition in Wagga on Saturday. Click on image for a larger view

THE Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging Association celebrated its 30th Anniversary on Saturday at the annual ICMJ Coles presentation evening in Wagga Wagga.

The evening was enjoyed by more than 150 students from tertiary institutions across Australia and overseas, 38 coaches, multiple industry sponsors, supporters and alumni attending the 2019 annual judging event in Wagga.

The founder of the Australian ICMJ Association, Crookwell beef producer John Carter, presented the John Carter Founders Buckle to the 2019 individual overall champion Kate Werfel from the University of Adelaide, and runner-up, Kieran Smith from University of New England.

Click the link at the bottom of this page to access the full list of meat judging winners and placegetters.

ICMJ founder, Crookwell beef producer John Carter, congratulates 2019 individual overall champion Kate Werfel from the University of Adelaide, and runner-up, Kieran Smith from University of New England.

CSU Wagga Wagga and Teys Australia hosted the annual competition last week featuring 12 Australian Universities, and four international teams from Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan and Texas Tech University, US.

The week-long conference kicked off on Tuesday, July 9 and involved industry presentations, sponsored dinners, hands-on workshops, a careers expo attracting 44 companies from across the Australian meat and livestock industries and the meat judging competition.

Texas Tech University took out the Roy McDonald Shield for Champion Overall Team closely followed by University of Adelaide team.

ICMJ President Dr Peter McGilchrist said the spread of awards right across all of the universities this year was fantastic to see, with awards given to almost all of the competing institutions. The student’s achievement was testament to dedication by the individuals and their coaches.

“Our program has absolutely achieved our goal of inspiring and developing future leaders of the global red meat industry,” he said.

“This year was a great contingent of students who posed the most thought-provoking questions we’ve ever had to our presenters, interacted heavily with companies at the careers expo and took full advantage of every opportunity to advance their knowledge and networks.”

“The students and their coaches are clearly committed to a career in the global meat industry.”

Dr McGilchrist said the success of ICMJ would not occur without the continued support of our major sponsors, including MLA, AMPC, Teys Australia, Australian Pork Ltd, Coles, Hancock Agriculture, NH Foods Australia, JBS/Andrews Meats, AA Co, GradLink, AMIST, Fletchers International and other industry supporters.

The top ten finalists and the coach’s pick teams (members listed below) will go on to participate in an industry training week in Brisbane in September.

Eye-opening experience

Student feedback from the week was that it “opened their eyes” to the possibilities within the Australian red meat industry.

“We learned so much more than we could have imagined. It’s better than any other week we have ever had at uni,” the group of Sydney University students said.

“The networking not only among industry professionals but also peers was really beneficial.”

Finalists selected for Industry Training Week in Brisbane included:

Kate Krause, University of Adelaide; Hamish Fuller, University of Sydney; Claudia Nielsen, Murdoch University; Kate Werfel, University of Adelaide; Kieran Smith, University of New England; Jennifer Mitchell, University of New England; Claire Marriott, University of New England; Jess Paton, University of New England; Emma Peters, University of Adelaide; Priscilla Evans, University of Sydney; Margot Sullivan, Marcus Oldham.

Coaches XI selected for Industry Training week in Brisbane were:

Jade Marshall, University of Adelaide; Josh Turner, Tocal Agriculture College; Renae Piggott, Murdoch University; Sally Morrissey, University of Queensland; Angus Rigney, Marcus Oldham; Hannah Commins, University of Tasmania; Archibald Weston, University of Sydney; Gabby Parker, Central Queensland University; Nicole Fairley, Charles Sturt University; Madi Gallagher, La Trobe University; Mitchell Priestly, University of Melbourne; Ben Wieland, University of New England.

Following the industry training week in Brisbane five students from the top 10 finalists will be selected for a tour of the American meat industry in the New Year.

Click this link to access to full list of 2019 ICMJ Awards winners.