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Meat judging students head to US

January 16, 2006

UNE's winning meat judging teamThree students from The University of New England will fly to the US this month after taking out first, second and third at the 16th annual Intercollegiate Meat Judging (ICMJ) contest.

Sponsored by Meat & Livestock Australia, 70 students competed in the ICMJ contest, with a further 10 students completing MSA training and five finalists selected to go on the US scholarship tour.

The three UNE finalists were Ryan Andrews, Dimity Butler and George Wragge.

During the competition students assessed beef, lamb and pork carcases according to cut and quality, as well as beef and lamb retail cuts.

Meat Standards Australia (MSA) manager Cameron Dart said he was very impressed with the high standard of applicants this year, with 10 students successfully completing an MSA course in Brisbane last month.

“Five students will tour the US to gain an understanding of the USDA grading system and processing regimes as well as to compete against US students at the National Western Stock Show in Denver,” Mr Dart said.

“A rewarding aspect of the competition is that many past competitors are today employed within the red meat industry, with many extending their careers in the processing, lotfeeding, retail, trade and R&D sectors.”

UNE Bachelor of Agribusiness student Ryan Andrews was the overall individual competition winner, taking home the “founders buckle” for the highest individual score and winning a place on the US scholarship tour.

“Following the ICMJ contest and MSA training I now feel I have the practical hands-on experience to launch my career into agriculture,” Mr Andrews said.

“After returning from the US in January I will begin a Business Law degree that will hopefully lead me into a meat trading and market access career.

“The sponsorship and training MSA has given me and so many other students over the years has been fantastic and is certainly appreciated.”

Since 1990, 1,200 students have competed in the ICMJ contest, with 75 students travelling to the US and nine touring Japan and Korea.

For more information contact Leon Braun (UNE Public Relations) on (02) 6773 3771. A photo is available to accompany this story.

Posted by Leon Braun at January 16, 2006 11:04 AM