Murdoch University students have shown their skills and passion for the red meat industry at the 2024 Intercollegiate Meat Judging Conference, where they competed against universities from Australia and overseas.
The annual event aims to expose and encourage tertiary students into careers within the meat industry. It provides students with an opportunity to learn about the Australian red meat industry, so they can become young industry representatives, fired with enthusiasm, who will give the Australian meat industry the expertise and drive to compete in the meat quality world of the future.
The ICMJ Conference is part of a wider agricultural study tour which is offered under an elective teaching unit for students undertaking a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Sciences with majors in animal science and animal health at Murdoch University.
Unit coordinator Associate Professor Liselotte Pannier, from the School of Agricultural Sciences, said the unit provided real life experiences related to the agriculture industry.
“The program is a fantastic opportunity for students to engage with industry partners, build professional relationships, and gain true life experiences,” she said.
“It’s a unique event that places students at the foreground within the red meat industry where through lectures, workshops, and the competition itself, students learn about the ‘paddock to plate’ system,”
As part of the ICMJ program, the Murdoch students undertook a training program with their skills tested at the ICMJ competition comprising around 150 attendees from universities across Australia and overseas.
Team coach Sonya Moyes said it was inspiring to watch the students grow over the course of the training program and how their passion for the industry strengthened as they met with like-minded students and industry representatives.
Ms Moyes, a PhD candidate at Murdoch, has been coaching the Murdoch ICMJ team for four years and is looking forward to continuing to be involved in the ICMJ program over the coming years.
“The ICMJ event helps in fostering the next generation of meat industry professionals and I am looking forward to continuing to support and initiate the goals of the ICMJ program,” she said.
The team also received positive feedback from the judges and mentors for their professionalism, enthusiasm, and teamwork.
Kristen Batten and Kristy Shadbolt were selected in the top 11 students from the entire competition. And both Kristy and Kristen, with coach’s pick Taite O’Neill, have been invited to attend the Brisbane ICMJ industry tour and the opportunity to be selected in the Australian Meat Judging team that will compete in the USA in January 2025.
“ICMJ was an incredible industry engagement opportunity. The competition component, but also the conference was eye opening and extremely educational. I would highly recommend this experience to those ready to launch their career in the red meat industry,” Ms Shadbolt said.
For Kristy, the experience was inspiring to network with students and industry professionals from not only across Australia but also America and Japan.
“ICMJ has inspired my passion for the red meat and pork industries greatly and I have grown more confident from taking part in this program and stepping well out of my comfort zone,” she said.
The Murdoch team members expressed their gratitude to the ICMJ organisers, sponsors, mentors, and judges for the opportunity to participate in the conference and to learn from the industry experts. They also thanked Ms Moyes and Assoc Prof Pannier for their guidance and support throughout the program.
The Murdoch ICMJ team 2024 was sponsored by Harvey Beef, Royal Ag Society of WA, Hillcroft Farms, Stirling Ranges Beef and Boree Park Stud.