Students at The University of Queensland`s Gatton campus are hoping for another strong performance at the Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging (ICMJ) competition in Wagga Wagga this weekend.
A team of nine UQ Gatton students will pit their skills against other aspiring young meat judges from universities and colleges around the nation for the chance to represent Australia against the United States later this year.
The team and each student will be judged on their ability to assess the quality of individual beef, sheep and pork carcases and various cuts of meat using indicators such as meat colour, fat colour, eye muscle area, muscle and fat definition and market requirements.
The method of assessment is the same used commercially in abattoirs and butcher shops to gauge the eating quality and value of meat for consumers.
Secretary of the UQ Gatton Cattleman’s Club Naomi McKinlay said the competition provided invaluable experience, allowing students to test the knowledge and practical skills they had acquired at university, on farm and in the abattoir.
She said UQ Gatton was a relatively new entrant to the competition but a consistent finalist, a record made even more impressive by the fact that students are only allowed to compete once.
“This is only the fourth time that UQ Gatton has competed at these finals and we have managed to do well each time, which indicates the skills of the young judges coming through our University,” Miss McKinlay said.
“In 2002 we placed second overall in the competition and two team members were selected to train and compete for a place on the Australian team. Last year, we placed third and one member, Mick Pitt from Capella, was selected for the Australian team.
“This year Mick is coaching our team and we are quietly hopeful that with his experience and the skills of those on our team we will do UQ Gatton proud again.”
The members of UQ Gatton’s 2004 Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging Team to compete on Sunday include Elizabeth Thompson (Ashford, NSW), Emily Perkins (Brisbane), Karina Perkins (Gympie), Amy Wynn Gympie), Amanda Cox (Toowoomba), Racheal Webb (Coonabarabran), Craig Merrit (Dalby), Renee Hutchinson (Moura), Kirsty Wild (Laidley), Mick Pitt (Coach) and Naomi McKinlay (Assistant Manager, Emerald).
Colonial Agriculture sponsors the UQ Gatton team.
More information: Brad Henderson, Marketing Coordinator, Faculty of NRAVS (07) 5460 1229 or 0409 265 587.
.jpg)
