The Australian Poll Dorset Association once again was a major sponsor for the National Intercollegiate Meat Judging held in Wagga Wagga. There were more than 160 competitors from 10 universities and industry, including international teams from Japan and the United States.

ICMJ is seen as a major career building opportunity, and our involvement opens up their knowledge of the greater sheep industry, the role of Poll Dorset genetics in building greater capacity for lamb production, and the future opportunities that exist for the participants now and into the future.

This year we showcased the Poll Dorset breed by running a Ram Selection Workshop, focusing on balancing visual and performance traits. Students were allocated a business scenario, then worked their way through a catalogue to select the appropriate genetics for the breeding objectives.

The day ended with a mock auction, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed!

Thanks must go to Joe Scott and Isabele Roberts for running the workshop, demonstrating that ram selection is critically important for a successful production system and profitable marketing outcomes. Ridgehaven supplied the sheep for display and this was appreciated.

The ADPA also had the opportunity to speak at the Careers Expo, where more than 50 red meat industry businesses were in attendance. This highlighted how Poll Dorsets provide value beyond our farm gates, the importance of the lamb industry to the economic stability of agriculture, and how choosing the sheep meat industry for your career is a good idea!

Georgian Greene was one of the participants in the 2026 ICMJ program and is currently studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, majoring in Mixed Farm Business at Charles Sturt University.

She said she took part in ICMJ as a way to source more opportunities to understand the red meat industry, learn from industry professionals and connect with peers across different universities.

But she said she didn’t fully grasp the impact this experience would have before stepping into the conference.

“Being able to connect with students who would be moving into the agricultural industry within the next few years was one of the most valuable aspects of the conference and has given me lifelong friendships that I will be able to reconnect with throughout my career,” Ms Greene said.

“During the conference, we learnt a great deal about the lamb industry.

“Most importantly, we learnt the value of genetics and Australian Sheep Breeding Values selection methods.

“Clara Bradford from MLA delved into the importance of using ASBVs to select sires and evaluate breeding flocks, aligning breeders’ goals and objectives with measurable traits and enabling clear assessment of a flock’s genetic value and allowing producers to assess where they need to improve their flock’s genetics to better meet lamb carcass targets such as carcass weight, fat depth and IMF.”

Ms Greene said the practical session with Isabele Roberts on the selection of sires was an excellent way to assess the physical characteristics of meat breed sheep.

“It gave us the skills to use when assessing sires at ram sales in the future, as these are characteristics that play a role in the physical ability for a sire to stand up to its environment,” she said.

“Assessing structure allowed us to determine a sires suitability for an enterprise, particularly when looking at; leg and foot structure to assess sire longevity; and shoulder structure to assess lambing ease for ewes.

“This assessment of phenotypes also gave us a visual representation of the sires ability to display its genetic potential, and understand the effects environment and management can have on the physical features displayed on the day of a sale.”

Ms Greene said when she graduates from CSU in October 2026, she was looking for a career that will allow her to work in the livestock industry and give the opportunity to explore how she will be able to incorporate her interests in genetics, production and business.

“As I have mentioned to numerous people in the past, I am not setting my sights on one particular career,” she said.

“I am looking for the opportunity to learn as much as I can and learn from the best people. “ICMJ has been an incredible opportunity that has opened many doors and provided insight into industries I didn’t fully understand and I cannot express enough how valuable the experience has been and will continue to be when I take part in the 2026 Brisbane Industry Tour as the CSU Coaches Pick for 2026.”