Wagga Wagga hosted Australia’s 26th annual Intercollegiate Meat Judging (ICMJ) competition featuring members from nine Australian universities as well as international teams representing the USA, Japan, and South Korea.
Judging of the beef carcases and cuts was held at the Teys processing plant at Wagga Wagga from July 5-9.
The top ten students will win places in further training and five will go on to represent Australia in an international meat judging competition held in the United States.
Jasmine Nixon, Teys’ supply chain project co-ordinator at Wagga Wagga said the five-day event is a very important link between the industry and the students.
“Teys is privileged to be able to be involved as it is hugely beneficial for the students, universities, and the wider red meat industry. It is an unique opportunity to meet and network with students, educators, researchers, and industry from here and overseas,” Ms Nixon said.
With 130 students plus 35 team coaches, one of the major objectives of the competition is to educate and highlight the range of diversified careers available in the meat and livestock sector.
“The quality of produce delivered to our customers both here in Australia and internationally is critical to the future prosperity of all participants in the red meat supply chain. The ICMJ is an important catalyst to those opportunities,” Ms Nixon said.
President of the Australian branch ICMJ, Dr Peter McGilchrist, Murdoch University, Perth, said the competition is a wonderful concept for students with prospective careers in agriculture to be involved with.
“It is about the development of under graduates and exposing them to the opportunities and challenges of the meat industry,” Dr McGilchrist said.
Ms Nixon said the opportunities for a career in agriculture are open to all who are interested in a satisfying job and lifestyle.
“You don’t have to come off a farm to have an interest in agriculture,” Ms Nixon said.
“But this competition gives them the chance to be involved in our industry.”
