13 Feb Registrations open for 2020 ICMJ Northern Conference
University students and young professionals in agricultural industries can now register to attend the second annual Intercollegiate Meat Judging Association’s (ICMJ) Northern Conference on April 15-18.
Such was the success of the first event, held in 2019, that this year’s conference program has been expanded by a day to cater for the interest in the broad range of challenges facing the beef industry.
Hosted by CQUniversity and Teys Australia in Rockhampton, the conference was designed as a specialist event to showcase the northern beef industry.
Unlike ICMJ’s flagship Wagga event, which provides meat science training in beef, lamb and pork for university students through a competitive environment, the Rockhampton Conference is focused on the unique challenges and opportunities that the broader Northern Australian beef industry offers.
“The ICMJ Northern Conference has been designed to cater for both university students seeking knowledge, careers advice and the opportunity to compete in meat judging competition, as well as young industry professionals seeking to enhance their career prospects through professional development training,” ICMJ Northern Committee chair Ethan Mooney said.
“It really is a unique opportunity for experienced beef industry professionals to study side by side and share knowledge with the next generation of industry leaders.”
CQUniversity’s Michael Thomson said the expanded conference program would feature both presentations and hands-on workshops, covering topics including how to use genetic selection technologies on farm to enhance the eating experience for the end consumer, as well as a Northern Industry Exhibition and Careers Expo.
“The conference will also include keynote presentations on some of the global challenges facing the beef industry, such as changing consumer preferences, as well as detailed skills training in identifying beef cuts and assessing the factors that affect eating quality like colour, fat and age,” Mr Thomson said.
The ICMJ Association is a not-for-profit organisation with a mission to ‘Inspire and develop future professionals in the global red meat industry’. Now in its 30th year of existence, the Australian ICMJ has accomplished a long and successful reputation of attracting graduates to careers in the red meat industry and the northern conference has also been designed to develop and retain existing talent in the industry.
Registrations for the ICMJ Northern Conference are $240 (inc. GST) per person, which includes all lunches and dinners. A special package, including four nights accommodation at the CQUniversity residential colleges, is available for $330 (inc. GST) – numbers are limited and preference will be given to university students.
· To register visit https://icmj.com.au/product/2020-icmj-northern-conference-registration/