Investment in carcase grading technologies a potential game changer
03 March 2022
Three new objective carcase grading devices which have been given the conditional tick of approval for commercial use in the red meat supply chain, could be a game changer for the red meat industry, according to Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), who helped fund the development and use of the technologies.
Working alongside industry partners, MLA has invested over $21m* since 2015 in objective carcase grading related research and development, with the recent AUS-MEAT accreditation an important next step in the adoption of the technology in a commercial setting, helping drive value through the supply chain and back to farm-gate.
The technologies include:
- MEQ probe for beef – utilising spectral analysis to predict marble score, a key component of eating quality, in a hot carcase
- MasterBeef camera – a smartphone camera-based assessment technology developed in Central Queensland that captures carcase grading site images.
- Frontmatec digital camera – assesses MSA marbling, AUS-MEAT marbling and fat colour.
Richard Apps, MLA Program Manager for Objective Measurement said the red meat industry was committed to further enhancing eating quality standards in Australian beef, and that new and emerging technology has a vital role to play.
“Investing in objective measures for beef has long been an integral part of MLA’s research and development portfolio, developing technologies that allow for benefits throughout the supply chain, from producers and processors, right through to the consumer,” Mr Apps said.
“Last week’s accreditation was crucial to helping our industry realise its ambition to double the value of red meat sales to 2030, so the team at MLA is delighted with the outcome and we are now focusing on what comes next.”
“These technologies have the ability to improve current beef grading and enable new grading options to improve processing and carcase fabrication efficiency. This will have benefits for all involved in the supply chain, from producers to processors, right through to food service and the consumer,” said Mr Apps.
MLA-backed MEQ Probe is currently the only technology that can accurately predict both intramuscular fat (IMF) in lamb, and MSA marbling in beef. Importantly, the MEQ Probe is used in hot lamb and beef carcasses, with other technologies currently restricted to chilled carcasses only.
“Being able to p marbling in hot carcasses will enable new efficiencies in carcase grading and market allocation; and may also enable cost savings on energy and chiller space,” Mr Apps said.
“The MasterBeef camera and Frontmatec digital cameras offer a more automated method for processors to grade carcases. This increases consistency and repeatability of grading accuracy for processors, which is essential with slaughter numbers increasing following solid seasonal conditions over the last 2-3 years.
“The camera technologies also allow for consistent grading across separate processing facilities all over the country. From North Queensland to Tasmania, the reliability of the grading is consistent.”
“This will in turn in producers, who will be pleased that these technologies will guarantee consistency, accuracy, repeatability and adding to grading outcome transparency,” said Mr Apps.
In developing and testing these technologies, especially the Frontmatec digital camera, MLA worked closely with Paul Gibson and the team Australian Country Choice (ACC), investing in commercial integration of the Frontmatec beef grading camera. ACC’s significant contribution by hosting multiple development and AUS-MEAT accreditation trials should be recognised and applauded by industry.
Continuous improvement in the quality of grading is beneficial for producers considering the growing appetite for premium beef products by Australian consumers. The approval of these technologies coincides with the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) Excellence in Eating Quality Series which is being held across Australia this month.
“The MSA program, alongside the development of these exciting technologies highlights the strong eating quality performance of Australian beef. The strong quality has been supported by participation along the entire Australian red meat supply chain,” said Mr Apps.
