Marcus Oldham ICMJ coach Harrison Alick with ICMJ committee member Eliza Gray from AA Co.

A NEW wave of opportunities and challenges have been laid out to dozens of students and young professionals at this week’s Intercollegiate Meat Judging northern conference in Rockhampton.

ICMJ has become a significant part of agriculture programs at universities, with more than 70 students actively taking part at the University of Queensland and 50 to 60 taking part at Marcus Oldham – which is about a third of the Marcus enrolment.

The program gives the students the opportunity to learn about the processing end of the supply chain and opens up chances to network with industry leaders and meet potential employers. Many industry leaders have gone through the program – including Michael Crowley, Jason Strong and Patrick Hutchinson who addressed this week’s conference.

The Northern conference was added to the ICMJ program in 2019, with this year being the fifth event.

The conference landed during a good time in Rockhampton, with the city just announced as the host of the rowing at the 2032 Olympics and the mighty Fitzroy River currently in flood.

But it was down to business for the ICMJ students, with four days of networking and competition – with the results to be announced this weekend.

ICMJ Northern Conference Co-Chairs Laura Bignell and James Carter said the conference was more than just  a meat judging competition.

“We’ve worked hard to build the event into one of the premier training and development programs for young people interested in diversifying their knowledge of beef production, meat science, consumer trends and/or a career in the beef industry,” Ms Bignell said.

“The program includes insights from industry leaders about innovation, sustainability, industry policy, consumer demands and future market directions.”

ICMJ northern conference committee members Brianna Meacle from Whyalla Beef with Ben Mate from Teys and Eliza Gray from AA Co.

Charles Sturt University’s Jessica Lavis and Nerissa James with Abigail Johnson (middle) from Brangus Australia.

Mort & Co was one of many supply chain companies at the event with Thomas Smoothy, Cassandra Grandfield and Charleigh Tucker from Grassdale and James Green from the Toowoomba office.

Megan Hendry and Anita Chang from Central Queensland University, which has been hosting the event.

Lilli Stewart, Mollie McGrath and Will Killen from Marcus Oldham.