2026 ICMJ National Conference

Peter is a Professor of Meat Science at the University of New England (UNE). He grew up on a cattle property in northern NSW and has a Bachelor of Rural Science (Hons1) from the UNE. Peter was a member of the UNE meat judging team in 2002 and was on the 2003 Australian ICMJ team that competed in the USA. Following university Peter travelled the globe and worked at Elders Killara feedlot for a year before moving to Perth to complete a PhD at Murdoch University on ‘Selection for muscling affects carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism in beef cattle’ with the Beef CRC. Peter then held a postdoctoral research and lecturing positions at Murdoch University with Meat & Livestock Australia working on beef eating quality projects, MSA optimisation and the development of the MSA Index. Peter’s research focuses on factors along the supply chain which impact the eating quality of beef and lamb from conception to consumption. Peter is passionate about the future of the red meat industry for the next generation.

Macky grew up on a beef cattle property on the mid north coast and has always had a strong passion for Australian agriculture. He studied at Charles Sturt University graduating with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science in 2018. He competed at the national conference in 2016 and was fortunate enough to be part of the 2017 Australian national team. Following university, Macky has worked as part of the growth farms team managing a property in the Mitta Valley, spent 3 years in the feedlot industry at Whyalla Beef in Queensland, which has led him into his current role, moving back to the mid north coast as a livestock co-ordinator for NH Foods at Wingham Beef Exports.

Melissa Fletcher is the CEO of Fletcher International Exports Pty. Ltd. – a private 100% Australian family-owned and operated agribusiness, employing over 1200 people in regional Australia.

Fletcher International Exports is one of Australia’s largest sheep and lamb meat exporters with two major export processing facilities with the capacity to process of over four million head per year situated in Dubbo NSW and Narrikup WA.

Fletcher International Exports is also Australia’s largest raw wool harvester and has large interests in farms for cotton, wool, grain, pulse production, lamb/ sheep breeding, and lamb feeding operations. Fletcher International Exports has a logistics business, Fletchers Big Boomerang Logistics with four locomotives that operate three services per week between Dubbo and Port Botany and exports to 90 countries.

Melissa is the chair of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and a graduate of their flagship course, the Australian Rural Leadership Program. She is also the chair of the Australian Meat Processor Corporation.

Ripley Atkinson is an experienced agribusiness professional, specialising in the red meat and livestock sector. Ripley’s hands-on experience working across cattle and sheep operations nationwide gives him a unique, ground-level perspective on the dynamics of the Australian livestock market. Ripley, through his role at StoneX, is leading the development of risk management and hedging tools for Australia’s livestock industry to utilise and manage price and market risk. As Australian Meats & Livestock Manager, Ripley works with clients across the country in both lamb and cattle supply chains, helping them manage price volatility and market risk through practical, forward-looking solutions.

Assoc. Prof. Benjamin Holman is a Meat Scientist at the Gulbali Institute of Charles Sturt University. Before this, he was a Senior Research Scientist at the NSW Department of Primary Industries (2014-25). Benjamin’s study of meat production, processing, and preservation has been impactful, benefitting stakeholders across the meat supply chain. His scientific leadership has resulted in his receipt of several prestigious awards, editorial board appointments, and invited contributions. Benjamin lectures and aims to share his enthusiasm for meat quality, its nutritional enhancement and sustainable production.

Clara completed a Bachelor of Animal Science at the University of New England including an honours project investigating treatment alternatives for nitrite poisoning in sheep. During university, she gained experience in many industries, working on orchards, feedlots, sheep, cattle and cropping properties. Clara was also selected as a member of the 2014 Australian National Meat judging team, travelling to the USA to compete and experience a unique industry tour. Prior to university, Clara worked on an AACO station in the NT for 12months. Clara briefly worked in the feedlot industry with Teys before starting with MLA in 2016 as the LAMBPLAN development Officer. Continuing her passion for genetics Clara worked as National Adoption Manager Genetics, the project manager for Genetics R&D until recently moving into the Program Manager for livestock genetics R&D.

Luke Leyson is an accomplished Australian butcher and respected leader in the craft. He began his journey in the industry as a humble clean up kid, starting his apprenticeship at 17, and has spent years mastering the precision, creativity and skill that butchery demands. Luke has proudly represented Australia on the international stage at the prestigious World Butchers’ Challenge. He first competed in Ireland in 2018, where the team finished third overall in a field of 12 nations — bringing home the bronze medal against global competition. Since then, Luke’s competitive career has continued to flourish. As Captain of the Australian team, he led the Australian Butcher Team to a silver medal finish at the 2022 World Butchers’ Challenge in Sacramento and a bronze medal in Paris in 2025, helping secure Australia’s place among the world’s elite butchers. Today, Luke remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of the trade and inspiring the next generation of butchers with passion and excellence.

Brett Laws, known as Butcher Lawsy on social media, is one of Australia’s leading competitive butchers. Following in the footsteps of his father and brother, Brett has built a standout career in butchery, representing Australia at the World Butchers’ Challenge (WBC) in Sacramento (2nd place) and Paris in 2026 (3rd place), where he was also named to the All-Star team.

He won the three-man Master Butcher competition in New Zealand (2022) and made history by claiming all three Butcher Wars titles at Meatstock in 2023, continuing his winning streak in Sydney in 2024. That same year, Brett became the first butcher to win the single-man World Butcher Wars event in Ascot. Brett is passionate about inspiring young people to explore the trade and its global opportunities.

Michael comes from a food and packaging technology background with 30 years’ experience across the meat supply chain in retail, operations and research. Prior to Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) he has worked for Woolworths Supermarkets, Hans Smallgoods, and JBS Australia in various commercial and technical roles. Michael holds Post-graduate and Bachelors degree in Applied Science along with Masters in Business Administration and was formally an adjunct Senior Research Fellow at University of Melbourne in their School of Agriculture and Food.

Michael is the Group Manager – Value Chain Innovation within MLA’s Research, Development & Adoption unit, leading the team which works across programs such as Objective Measurements & AgTech, Meat Science, Market Access Science, New Product & Packaging Innovation and Innovation Capability Building.

Professor Robyn Warner has over 35 years of experience in meat science research and education. She has been based at The University of Melbourne since 2014, following previous roles at CSIRO and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries. Prof. Warner holds a PhD in Food Science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, a Master of Agricultural Science from the University of Melbourne, and a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from La Trobe University. She has received national and international awards, including the 2000 International Meat Secretariat prize and Australian 2010 Eureka prize for MSA Pathways research, and the 2014 International Lectureship Award and 2025 Distinguished Research Award both from American Meat Science Association. In 2022, she was elected a Fellow of the Australian Association of Animal Sciences for her outstanding contributions to the animal industries. Her research focuses on the biochemistry, biology, and biophysics of muscle, with an emphasis on understanding meat quality for solutions to industry problems.

Jason Trompf from Lambs Alive has been working as Agricultural Consultant for over 25 years. Jason has a strong background in understanding the drivers and motivators of producers and designing programs that support and enable practice change. Jason undertook his PhD research into farmer behavioral change and adoptive context, identifying ways to increase engagement and impact. Programs that Jason has had significant input into the design, delivery and evaluation of include the Lifetime Ewe Management (LTEM) and Bred Well Fed Well (BWFW). Each of these programs have engaged over 5,000 producers and are widely recognized for the industry leading impact they have had on changing knowledge, attitude, skills and aspiration (KASA) and practice, as well as lifting productivity, profitability and resilience. Jason also founded the innovative Lambs Alive program that coaches many sheep business online. Jason also manages his family’s 2000 composite ewe and 200 Angus and Shorthorn cow enterprise. These self-replacing high productivity enterprises provide Jason with a strong practical background and a constant reality check of the challenges that producers face on a day-to-day basis.

Linton Batt is the Managing Director of Food Security International and National Feed Co (NFC). The group includes piggery, abattoir, 2 feed mills and cropping for hay and grain across WA and NT.

The piggery comprises commercial white pigs alongside the renowned Black Label Berkshire stud. The success of the pig business is from a combination of genetics, genomics, nutrition and ongoing internal research.

Linton has extensive experience feed-lotting cattle in WA/NT and manufactures custom rations for different cattle markets.

Gabi grew up on a mixed farming property in Central West NSW. She completed a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience in 2016, during which she competed in ICMJ for the University of Sydney. Following this Gabi travelled to the states with the national team in 2017. Upon returning she commenced an Agribusiness Cadetship at Fletcher International Exports before moving into her current role as the group’s North American Market Manager.

Stuart grew up on a cattle property in Queensland and completed a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Queensland. After finishing his degree, he spent several years working on cattle stations across the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Stuart then relocated to Dalby QLD, where he took on a management role in a lot feeding and mixed cropping operation. In 2019, Stuart joined Teys Australia as a Commercial Analyst, later transitioning into the Operations team. He is now based in Wagga Wagga, working as a Livestock Buyer. Stuart is passionate about engaging and inspiring the future workforce of the red meat industry.

Molly is the Account Manager at Gundagai Lamb, where she is involved in all things sales and marketing, focussing particularly on the premium GLQ5+ brand. She holds a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience with Honours in Animal Reproduction from the University of Sydney. Growing up in Sydney, her journey into the red meat industry began with the Sydney University ICMJ team, which opened the door to a graduate program with Teys Australia working across Operations, Quality Assurance, and Quality Control in Wagga Wagga, before relocating to Brisbane to work in Production Scheduling and later as a Commercial Analyst. In early 2024, she joined Gundagai Lamb and has since also joined the Sheep Sustainability Framework Steering Group. Molly is passionate about encouraging young people to get involved in agriculture, even if not originally off a property.

Claire studied a Bachelor of Rural Science at the University of New England (UNE) and completed her Honours in Meat Science during her final year. Claire was a member of the UNE meat judging team in 2019 and was fortunate to be selected on the Australian national ICMJ team in 2020. Following university, Claire was an AACo graduate before commencing a role as Supply Chain Coordinator at Gundagai Lamb where she coordinates the producer engagement program for the brand. Claire is also actively involved in her family’s beef and sheep enterprise in north east Victoria.

Despite not growing up with a farming background, Nick quickly developed a love for all things agriculture. This led him to complete his Bachelor of Ag. Science at Adelaide University in 2013. It was during his studies he discovered meat judging and was fortunate to be a part of the 2014 ICMJ national team. Nick went on to do his honors in “Understanding the causes of dark cutting on pasture-raised beef in southeast South Australia” also allowing Nick to coach Adelaide Uni for three years before going on to be one of the ICMJ’s National team coaches for a number of years. Nick has been fortunate to see a large cross-section of industry, working from abattoirs and live export depots to full-time shearing. Nick is proud to have been a part of the founding team at MEQ Probe developing Agtech for chain speed eating quality assessment, before moving back home to SE SA where he now works as an independent Livestock agent with Platinum Livestock. He is very passionate about the Australian goat industry sitting on the Goat Industry Council of Australia and running his seed stock operation.

Melanie enjoys being part of a dynamic industry and promoting the opportunities available across the red meat supply chain. She holds a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience (Hons), and PhD in Livestock Production and Meat Science from The University of Sydney. Currently, Melanie works with Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), as the Program Manager for Sheep and Goat Productivity. Melanie has strong ties to ICMJ and has been involved at multiple levels since she participated in 2012, going on to successfully coach over 100 students through the program, assist with ICMJ schools competitions throughout NSW and coaching the Australian National ICMJ Team. Melanie enjoys being part of the ICMJ committee, where she can continue to showcase the vast array of opportunities available for enthusiastic talent within the red meat industry.

Jake Bourlet grew up on a mixed farming enterprise in the Riverina. Jake’s passion for agriculture was developed whilst working for his family’s livestock contracting business at Teys Jindalee Feedlot and Wagga Saleyards. Jake studied a Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management at Charles Sturt University (CSU) and completed an Honours project to investigate the optimum time on feed to recondition cull beef cows. He competed in ICMJ in 2017 and was fortunate enough to be a part of the 2018 Australian national team, going on to coach the CSU ICMJ team in 2018 and 2019. Following university, Jake headed north as an AACo graduate before returning south to a role at Gundagai Lamb (GL) as Supply Chain Coordinator – this involves coordinating the buy, make and sell steps for trade activities associated with GL.

Laura’s grew up on on her family’s beef cattle property in Gloucester, NSW. After earning a Bachelor of Agriculture from UNE in 2019 and attending the Northern ICMJ Conference, she began her career with Teys Australia Biloela in Project and Sustainability management roles. Laura recently graduated an Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering from CQU and in early 2026 she transitioned to Teys Australia Wagga Wagga as the Maintenance Supervisor. Laura is passionate about supporting rural communities, she is committed to creating opportunities for young people in agriculture and ensuring a sustainable future for the industry.

James grew up on his family’s beef cattle property near Crookwell, NSW, where they run a Normande/Charolais AI program pioneered by his grandfather. He is the 7th generation at Lake Edward, home to Australia’s oldest registered fire brand. After completing a carpentry apprenticeship and studying business, James re-entered agriculture with EC Rural in sales and production. He then joined AACo as a Livestock and Production Officer, advancing to Processing Manager. He now oversees service kills at JBS Beef City and Australian Country Choice, managing over 1,000 Wagyu weekly and ensuring quality, efficiency, and global delivery of premium branded beef.

Aimee is originally from Shepparton, Victoria, where her family run a small herd of Black and Red Angus cattle. Aimee completed her Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management at Charles Sturt University where she also took part in the 2019 ICMJ Conference. During her time at university, she was fortunate enough to travel and learn about the beef supply chain in several countries, including completing an exchange at Texas A & M focussing on meat science. Upon graduating Aimee joined the processing industry, gaining experience from an operational level with a strong emphasis on MSA grading, right through to livestock procurement and supply chain optimisation. Aimee is currently the Farm Assurance & Supply Chain Manager for JBS, with a focus on identifying new opportunities for the beef and lamb programs across compliance, performance, and sustainability. Growing up in the industry, Aimee is very passionate about fostering the next generation of industry enthusiasts.

Lauren completed a Bachelor of Science (Animal Science & Animal Health) and First Class Honours (Meat Science Technology) at Murdoch University. During her studies Lauren worked alongside the Murdoch meat science research team, where she was first introduced to ICMJ. She competed with the Murdoch meat judging team in 2018, after which she was selected to be a member of the Australian National team, competing in the USA in 2019 and returning to coach the Murdoch 2019 team. After graduating Lauren took a role at Western Australia’s largest beef processor, within the technical department, overseeing quality assurance and compliance across the plant. Lauren now works as a Project Officer in Sustainability with Australian Meat Processing Corporation (AMPC), the research and development organisation for Australian red meat processors.

Kieran developed his passion for agriculture, growing up on a family sheep and cattle property near Inverell, NSW. In 2019 whilst finishing studying a Bachelor of Rural Science at UNE, he competed in the ICMJ Wagga competition and was fortunate to be selected as part of the Australian national ICMJ team in 2020. Kieran then worked as a Beef Extension Officer for 2.5 years in northwest QLD with Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and was also lucky enough to attend the ICMJ Northern conference and competition. After moving back to NSW he worked on mixed livestock properties for 14 months and is now currently working as a Livestock Advisor with Western Local Land Services.

Maria founded AgSTAR Projects, a consultancy company delivering projects across strategic planning, facilitation, policy review, evaluation and stakeholder consultation. She has extensive experience facilitating leadership and professional development programs for emerging and established leaders across Australian agriculture and works extensively in extension and adoption, building advisor and producer knowledge, confidence and practice change. Maria has been the Australian ICMJ National Coordinator for more than a decade. She holds a Bachelor of Rural Science (Hons I) and a Master of Agriculture and, in 2002, was a member of the UNE Meat Judging Team. Previous roles include managing the animal health, welfare and biosecurity portfolio for the national sheepmeat industry, working for a private agricultural PR and marketing company and working in beef genetics. Maria, her husband, Callen and their two sons own and operate a beef cattle property near Coonabarabran.

Megan Hendry is an experienced professional communicator who began her career as a journalist. She spent 12 years at the ABC, working across a range of different roles and platforms including radio, television, online and social media. Her work featured in programs like ABC News, 7.30 QLD, Landline, the Country Hour, The World Today, AM, PM and regular ABC local radio news bulletins. Megan transitioned into communications and public relations in 2021 when she took up a role with CQUniversity’s agriculture research teams. Since then, Megan has worked in corporate communications roles and as a senior executive officer. She also owns and operates True Story Communications. Megan has been involved with ICMJ for five years and continues to be based in Rockhampton, QLD.

Ellie Hays was born and bred in Queensland and ventured to Kununurra after school to work on a cattle station followed by contract mustering around the gulf of Queensland. Ellie’s passion for the agricultural industry continued to grow after being involved in her family cattle business and working on various properties. She completed a Bachelor of Agribusiness at Marcus Oldham and has been heavily involved with breeding livestock and the seed stock sector. She has previously worked at Holbrook Vet Centre overseeing the artificial breeding donor centre and worked at Rennylea Angus. Ellie spends her time working as an ag consultant with Agrista and is responsible for the benchmarking database. Ellie has been working with ICMJ as the bookkeeper since 2021 and assisted with the Australian Coach role in 2024.

Annie Pumpa brings more than 15 years of experience across the Australian beef industry, spanning project delivery, livestock marketing, stakeholder engagement, youth development and seedstock operations. She has built strong connections throughout the red meat supply chain and is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for young people in agriculture. Annie has worked closely with producers, breed societies and agricultural organisations across Australia in both the seedstock and commercial beef sectors. Her industry leadership includes serving as a Board Director of Herefords Australia from 2022–2025 and Chairman of Angus Round Up from 2021–2024. Through her work with Agstar Projects and ongoing engagements across the industry, including the National All Breeds Junior Heifer Show, Annie supports national agricultural programs and seedstock enterprises. Alongside her industry roles, Annie and her partner Grant own and operate GB Livestock, a Purebred Black Simmental Beef enterprise. Having been a keynote speaker at the 2024 ICMJ Northern Conference in Rockhampton, Annie is excited to continue supporting ICMJ’s mission of inspiring and developing the next generation of professionals and leaders in the global red meat industry.