The ICMJ (Intercollegiate Meat Judging) Northern Conference will be hosted in the beef capital this April, with a line-up of the beef industry’s major players set to speak at the event.
The conference hosted by CQUniversity and Teys Australia, aims to enhance the knowledge and training of young red meat industry participants with a special focus on beef and Northern Australia.
It’s open to tertiary students, agribusiness staff and anyone working with the Australian red meat and livestock industry.
Former Hancock Agriculture CEO and Independent Chair of the Red Meat Advisory Council, John McKillop, is one of speakers who will feature at the event.
“It’s a very exciting time for the red meat industry, there are more opportunities now than ever and my message is about carving out your own path, whatever that looks like,” he says.
Thirty-year-old Our Cow co-founder Bianca Tarrant will also feature in the speaker lineup, sharing her unconventional journey from ‘beach girl’ to beef producer, and how she and her partner Dave McGiveron turned a Facebook page into a direct-to-consumer meat subscription business with an annual turnover of more than $20 million.
“I want other young people in the industry to see what’s possible if you think outside the box and back yourself,” she says.
The program also includes training workshops, Q&A panels, site visits and the meat judging competition.
CQUniversity agriculture spokesman Michael Thomson says ICMJ is now a key pillar in Rockhampton’s role as the Beef Capital of Australia by supporting the development of the northern beef industry’s future leaders.
“As the northern beef industry evolves with new technology and access to higher value markets, it’s vital that tertiary students and young industry professionals have access to the insights and experiences of industry leaders,” he says.
Registrations for the event are open now, with places strictly limited.
