Australian Beef Sustainability steering committee chair Mark Davie addressing the northern ICMJ conference in 2022.

REGISTRATIONS have opened early for the 2023 ICMJ Northern Conference to cater for booming demand from young industry professionals and university students to attend the Rockhampton event.

The 2023 ICMJ Northern Conference will be hosted by CQUniversity Australia and Teys Australia from April 12 to 15, with additional seating capacity to be made available to cater for the growing interest.

The conference is designed to enhance the training of red meat industry participants working in Northern Australia. It is open to students at universities and vocational training organisations, as well as agribusiness staff for professional development.

ICMJ Northern Conference event coordinator Ethan Mooney, of Teys Australia, said the success of the 2022 event, which attracted just over 100 delegates, proved how valued it was within the red meat industry.

“There was such strong interest in the event last year that we had to shut registrations early as we had reached the capacity of one of our dinner venues,” Mr Mooney said.

“Our planning for 2023 will allow for extra participants, and a packed program is under development that will both educate and inspire the future leaders of the red meat industry.”

The Australian ICMJ program exposes students to the fundamentals of meat quality, carcase specifications required in today’s market, the requirements of the modern consumer and the role of new technologies in meeting those needs. Platinum sponsors include Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and the Australian Meat Processing Corporation (AMPC).

CQUniversity agriculture spokesman Michael Thomson said ICMJ was now a key pillar in Rockhampton’s role as the Beef Capital of Australia by supporting the development of the northern beef industry’s future leaders.

“CQUniversity is committed to growing the capacity of northern Australia’s meat processing sector, and our hosting of the ICMJ Northern Conference provides the perfect recruitment pipeline for agribusinesses to retain local graduates and attract skilled workers to the region,” Mr Thomson said.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for agriculture students and professionals to gain new skills, as well as network with potential employers and future industry colleagues.”

As well as the training workshops and the meat judging competition, the program will feature a careers expo including Australia’s major meat processing companies, several of the large vertically integrated beef supply chains, and industry service providers.

• Conference registration is $330 (inc. GST). Limited accommodation is available at CQUniversity for university student delegates for $150 (inc. GST). Register online at https://icmj.com.au/icmjevent/2023northern/