15 Feb ICMJ locks in exciting schedule for 2021 Northern Conference
Heavy-hitters from across the red meat supply chain are lined up to present at 2021 Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging Association’s (ICMJ) Northern Conference, to be held in Rockhampton from 7th – 10th of April 2021.
ICMJ Northern Committee chair and Teys Australia’s General Manger of Operations in Biloela, Ethan Mooney, said it was exciting be able to offer the opportunity to anyone involved, or looking to join, the red meat industry after a year that was light on professional development opportunities. “We had to take a break last year, as many conferences did, but we are back with an exciting and unique program that mixes big picture presentations from industry leaders, technical lectures from meat scientists, and practical training sessions to improve participants meat judging skills,” Mr Mooney said. “We’ll also connecting job seekers with the big employers of the northern beef industry at our careers expo, which is a big-ticket opportunity for attendees at ICMJ events to take the next step in their careers.”
The ICMJ Northern Conference is co-hosted by CQUniversity (CQU) and Teys and sponsored by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and the Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC).
The 2021 program includes:
• Carcase breakdown and utilisation workshop by Kelly Payne, MLA
• Northern Industry Exhibition & Careers Expo
• Tour of CQUniversity livestock research activities at AgForce’s Belmont research station
• Presentations from experts including:
o ‘Precision management in grazing systems – opportunities for improved sustainability’ by A/Prof Ryan
Reuter, Oklahoma State University (to present remotely)
o ‘Red meat update and current trends’ by Phoebe Johnson, MLA
o ‘Vertically integrated value chains – an Australian Country Choice perspective’ by Paul Gibson, ACC
o ‘Selecting for profit – a producer perspective’ by Rebecca Burnham, REB grazing
o ‘Genomic selection for eating quality’ by Dr Karen Schutt, Neogen
o ‘Putting yourself out there – how to be an effective communicator’ – Michael Thomson, CQUniversity
o ‘The power of effective networking skill’ by Sarah Taylor, Teys Australia HR
“We have a few more aces up our sleeves to be revealed in the coming weeks but I would encourage people to get in and take advantage of the early-bird registration discounts,” Mr Mooney said.
The event will be run within CQUniversity’s COVID Safe requirements to ensure the safety of all attendees.
Early-bird registrations made before February 28th, 2021 are $250 (inc. GST) per person including accommodation or $180 (inc GST) for those not needing accommodation. Both packages, which are highly subsidised by industry sponsorship, include all lunches and dinners.
Registrations made after February 28th will cost $330 (inc GST).
• Registrations close March 5th
• To register visit www.icmj.com.au/product/2021nicmj
Teys Australia GM of Operations Ethan Mooney
Participants judging beef carcases at the 2019 Northern ICMJ event