Hosted by Teys Australia and CQUniversity at Central Queensland Innovation and Research Precinct (CQIRP), participants are taking part in a wide range of sessions designed to enhance their understanding of the northern beef industry supply chain, develop their meat judging capabilities, and explore the career opportunities offered in the beef industry.

ICMJ Northern Committee Chair and Teys Australia’s Ethan Mooney, said the program was designed to give participants a leg-up for a future career in the red meat sector.

“Participants are hearing directly from people like Mark Davie, Chair of the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework, about the future direction of the industry in terms of economic resilience, animal husbandry techniques, managing climate risk and the prosperity of rural and regional communities,” Mr Mooney said.

“This high-level knowledge and understanding, combined with skills in meat cut identification and judging are critical for the future leaders of the red meat sector and we want to build the expertise of the next generation.”

“ICMJ’s mission is to inspire and develop future professionals in the global red-meat industry and this event is a big part of that,” he said.

The Teys Australia carcase breakdown is a highlight of the program, along with this evening’s Career and Trade Expo where participants can meet and network with some of the beef industry’s biggest employers.

“The Career and Trade Expo is a unique opportunity for students to connect with some of the biggest players in the northern beef sector and explore the wide range of career paths that it offers,” Mr Mooney said.

The program will continue over the next two days with practical hands-on workshops, an abattoir tour and the Teys Australia meat judging competition, culminating with the NH Foods Gala Dinner at the Rockhampton Customs House on Saturday evening.

The conference is also an opportunity for high achievers in the meat judging competition to be selected to participate in the 2023 ICMJ South-East Asia Tour.

The 2022 ICMJ Northern Conference is proudly sponsored by founding partners, Teys Australia and CQUniversity as well as NH Foods Australia, Advance Rockhampton, JBS, Beef Australia, Signature Beef, Herefords Australia, Australian Brahman Breeders Association and Allflex.

It is one of two major conferences held annually by ICMJ, with the 2022 ICMJ National Conference scheduled to be held in Wagga Wagga from 5-9 July.

ICMJ’s foundation partners are Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and the Australian Meat Processing Corporation (AMPC).