Congratulations to Sarah Bradfield, who’s had some impressive results in the ICMJ National Meat Judging Conference and Competition in Wagga Wagga!
Participants judged pork, lamb and beef - and from almost 140 international contestants, Sarah made it into the top 15 nationally. After a further interview process to find the top 10, she was also named in this cohort.
Sarah grew up in Quirindi and is in her third year of her Bachelor of Rural Science, living on campus in St Albert’s College.
“I grew up on a mixed farming property and had an interest in everything: soil, plants, all the way through to livestock,” she says.
“Studying rural science opens you up to all of this; it gives you a much broader range of the ag sector, so it’s been fantastic.
“My favourite part of the degree is that I have a really great cohort. It’s the people that you meet; those connections with students and lecturers.”
Sarah will now attend the Australian Meat Industry Training Week in Brisbane, and hopes to be selected for the Australian ICMJ team to compete in the US in early 2026.
“I’m hoping for the best, but the calibre of people in the top 10 finalists is incredible. I’ll just go and do my best and have some fun - I’m happy just making the top 10.”
The competition was part of the 2025 Australian ICMJ National Conference, which attracted students and staff from universities across Australia, along with teams from Japan and the USA.
In a packed five-day program, they explored career pathways, current innovations and emerging trends in the red meat industry; had opportunities to network; toured local facilities; and undertook practical workshops.
'They have gumption'
UNE’s Professor of Meat Science and ICMJ President, Dr Peter McGilchrist, said the passion and dedication shown by this year’s competitors reinforced that the future of the red meat industry is in incredibly capable hands.
“ICMJ is more than just a competition; it’s a launchpad. It provides unparalleled opportunities for students to connect with industry, gain hands-on experience, and ultimately shape their future in the red meat industry,” Prof McGilchrist said.
“To see these students, many of whom start with limited industry exposure, transform over five days into confident, knowledgeable future leaders is incredibly rewarding. That’s the true power of the ICMJ experience … This is an extracurricular activity, so anyone that engages in the early-morning trainings, learning new skills, has got the gumption.
“ICMJ is not really about the competition, it’s about connection to industry, broadening peer networks and getting practice at making decisive decisions.”
Peppered with alumni
Prof McGilchrist said the program of speakers was “absolutely peppered with UNE alumni at the highest levels”.
”Many of the 40 companies that attended the careers expo also had UNE alumni representing their companies.”
“The Australian ICMJ program offers students a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders, gain hands-on experience in meat science, and explore diverse career paths in the red meat sector. It’s a fast-paced, career-shaping week that combines learning, networking, and unforgettable experiences,” he said.
“None of this would be possible without the support of our team by industry partners Fletcher International Exports, Knowla Livestock, Glenavon Angus, Woolworths Greenstock and In The Pink Livestock Feeding Equipment.”
