Max Spooner from the Australian Agricultural Co was named Most Outstanding Industry Individual during ICMJ in Rockhampton.

AUSTRALIA’S young beef professionals shone at the ICMJ Northern Conference and Beef Judging Competition in Rockhampton last week.

Bringing together 139 delegates from across five states and territories, this year’s conference saw a strong blend of 54pc industry and 46pc university participants, demonstrating a growing level of support from Australia’s leading beef supply chain companies.

One of the key components of the event was the ICMJ Northern Beef Judging Competition, held at Teys Australia’s Lakes Creek facility on Saturday, with the winners announced at the Teys Australia Gala Awards Dinner at the Great Western Hotel on Saturday night.

The night’s most prestigious title, 2026 Northern Champion Meat Judging Individual, was awarded to Charlie Lawler from the University of Queensland, who narrowly edged out Andrew Thomson from Australian Country Choice by a single point.

In the team categories, the University of Queensland took home the Champion University Team trophy for the fifth year in a row, ahead of University of New England, while Australian Country Choice (ACC) claimed the title of Champion Industry Team and Signature OnFarm claiming Runners Up.

Other major highlights included Austin Smith from AA Co winning Alumni Individual Champion and his AA Co colleague, Max Spooner named Most Outstanding Industry Individual, as selected by the committee.

The University of New England took out the Hoof and Hook class which included a live animal assessment at CQLX on Thursday followed by the carcase assessment on Saturday.

The Northern ICMJ Conference is designed to empower the next generation of industry professionals by focusing on the specific demands of northern beef production. Throughout the week, participants engaged with industry leaders on topics ranging from innovation and sustainability to consumer trends and meat science.

“This year’s committee has worked tirelessly to build this into a premier training and development program for those who are yet to begin careers in the meat industry or who are just starting out,” ICMJ President Peter McGilchrist said.

“With a sold-out event and representation from 16 companies and five universities, it is clear that the desire to promote industry innovation and extend the latest knowledge in meat science has never been stronger.

“This not only helps build the red meat workforce into the future, but also helps the industry retain the talent we have, by inspiring and developing them further”

For the first time ever, the Australian Beef Leaders Foundation funded a group of teachers to attend the ICMJ Northern Conference, an initiative designed to strengthen the connection between the red meat industry and primary and secondary school classrooms.

ICMJ Northern Conference Co‑Chairs James Carter (AA Co) and Laura Bignell (Teys Australia) thanked the many industry sponsors who made the event possible.

• The conference is supported by founding partners Meat & Livestock Australia and AMPC as well as principal partner Teys Australia, major partners CQUniversity, JBS Australia and NH Foods, supporting partners Beef Australia, AACo, Advance Rockhampton, Mort & Co and Bindaree Food Group, associate partners Signature Beef, AAM, Australian Brahman Breeders Association and  Greenleaf and ribbon partners Regional Livestock Exchanges, Allflex and Beef Central.