Students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) will dominate the Australian meat judging team to take on the USA in an international competition in January next year.

 

Animal Science students Mr Isaac Allen and Ms Jordan Hoban, and veterinary science student Ms Vanessa Campbell, all from the CSU's School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences in Wagga Wagga, have been named in the five-member squad to represent Australia on a tour of the United States beef industry and to compete in two American Intercollegiate Meat Judging competitions.

 

Professor of Animal Production at the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Peter Wynn, said, "Our meat judging coaches, Ms Katelyn Braine, Ms Bronte Doughton, Dr Jen Clulow and Dr Bindi King, have achieved outstanding success with their team.

 

"This was based on a highly disciplined approach with our motivated team of students who were willing to train from 6am once a week, before going to their lectures for the day.

 

"None of this would have been possible without great cooperation from our local partners, Teys Australia, Junee Abattoir, and Knights Meats, who have readily opened their facilities and provided product for training purposes."

 

The national meat judging team was selected after an intensive Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) training course in Brisbane in late August.

 

CSU in Wagga Wagga hosted a three-day Australian ICMJ workshop in July 2012. The competition for small stock was then held on campus. The beef competition was held at Teys Australia abattoir in nearby Bomen. Read more about 2012 ICMJ here. 

 

Mr Allen is from Forbes, Ms Hoban is from Newee Creek near Macksville, and Ms Vanessa Campbell is from Rutherglen, Victoria. The five member Australian team also includes students from the University of Melbourne and University of New England.