Matt Richardson encourages Rockhampton students to participate in ICMJ conference

Central Queensland agriculture students are being encouraged to participate in the next ICMJ conference which could link them up with future employers. Here’s how.

When Matt Richardson was studying agriculture at uni he admittedly didn’t know a lot about the red meat industry.

But when the Intercollegiate Meat Judging conference came to Rockhampton for the first time in 2019, his knowledge changed and it’s now a major part of his career.

Now he’s strongly encouraging current agriculture students to think about participating in the April conference in Rockhampton next year.

“I got a lot out if it (the conference),” he said.

“As producers sometimes you only think of your cattle going to the meatworks and then to the butcher and you don’t really think about the rest.

“You get a really good overview of how the supply chain links to everything and how the consumer drives everything.”

Until 2019 the ICMJ only held a conference in Wagga Wagga.

The program was set up to inspire young people within the red meat industry and also help provide careers and pathways.

ICMJ 2023 conference co-ordinator Ethan Mooney said the conference also helped develop pathways and linkages to offer unique positions within the red meat industry.

Matt now works as a Beef Extension Officer with the Queensland Department of Agriculture.

“I didn’t even know the ICMJ existed and when I first heard about it I thought it didn’t sound very fun and thought I wouldn’t get much out of it, but it was the complete opposite,” he said.

“Every kid studying ag should definitely do it, it’s three days - what have you got to lose?

“Ag is getting more and more diverse and there are so many jobs in the industry now where you don’t need a background in agriculture to work in the sector.”

Matt returned to the conference again in 2022 as an alumni and competed in the carcass judging competition where he came runner up.

“I still think that ICMJ is definitely the best thing I did during university and up there among the best things I’ve done in my career so far,” he said.

“Because of ICMJ, I have the ability to assess the commercial value of different cuts of meat but also a better appreciation of how on-farm decisions around genetics and cattle handling can affect the eating quality of the end product.”

Mr Mooney said organisers were hoping to surpass 100 attendees next year.

“ICMJ itself was set up to inspire young industry professionals and leaders so it’s super important even in our eyes,” he said.

“It’s a unique opportunity for young industry professionals and tertiary students to mingle and cross reference ideas coming out of universities and industry and align with new potential employers.”

The next ICMJ Northern Conference will be held in Rockhampton between April 12 and 15 next year.

For more information on the conference visit the ICMJ website.