Meat Tech Innovation
Narandera High School
Integrated STEM Meat-Tech Futures Program
Week 10 Term 2 our Stage 6 Agriculture students participated in the Integrated STEM Meat-Tech Futures Program, an exciting two-day experience exploring innovation and technology within the Australian meat industry.
Students toured the JBS Yanco facility, gaining behind-the-scenes insight into the beef abattoir, feedlots, engineering, fabrication and water treatment facilities. They explored the advanced technologies that enable efficient, large-scale, high-quality beef production and learned how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, are improving decision-making within the industry. One example included AI systems that identify leftover meat on bones to improve processing efficiency.
Following the tour, students were challenged to identify limitations within JBS's production systems and develop innovative solutions to address them. Working in teams, they designed and refined their ideas before preparing professional pitches for the Innovation Night held at Yanco Agricultural High School. Some of the innovative concepts included technologies to reduce worker fatigue and more efficient systems for removing manure and mud from feedlot pens.
The evening began with delicious food and refreshments prepared by the Yanco Hospitality students before teams presented their innovations to a panel of industry professionals, including Stuart Shaw (AMPC), Pratulya (Prat) Pradeep (JBS) and Jane Quin (Charles Sturt University).
Congratulations to Group 4, which included our very own Adelaide Rivero, for taking out the overall win with their innovative concept combining RCC concrete and drone technology to improve cattle welfare.
A huge thank you to Robert Johnson and the team at JBS Yanco for generously sharing their time and facilities, Fraser Boarder and Lizzy Cleland from Integrated STEM for coordinating this outstanding program, AMPC, particularly Stuart Shaw and Holly Speer, for sharing their industry expertise, and Yanco Agricultural High School for hosting such a fantastic event.
We are incredibly proud of our students for the creativity, teamwork and professionalism they demonstrated throughout the program.
Well done to everyone involved!
Miss Ella Gruessing
Agriculture Teacher