Pricing for DEXA systems for the red meat industry

Summary

​It has been identified that the current grading methods deteriorate the level of trust within the value chain and risk harming the competition and efficiency of the red meat industry. It has also been identified that having objective measurement of yield for every carcase available to all participants in the value chain will provide a great deal of benefit and control required to remain competitive globally and to respond to changing consumer demands.

More than 60% of companies that hold an AUSMEAT accreditation responded to a call by MLA's to participate in an exercise designed to determine the cost and considerations that need to be taken into account if the SCOTT DEXA were to be implemented in all AUSMEAT accredited abattoirs. 39 of 45 abattoirs (17 Beef and 22 lamb) from a group of 36 participants were analysed and surveyed to determine the cost of implementing the Scott DEXA system and any relevant considerations.

 It has been found that to implement DEXA across industry a total investment of AUD263M for operating AUSMEAT accredited abattoirs would be required. This would include the DEXA unit, its installation, commissioning, site infrastructure upgrade to support the unit and a traceability system to ensure the integrity of data available to the last owner of the animal before slaughter.

It was also determined that if DEXA is to be installed as a measurement tool for industry there are a number of factors that will need to be considered that may impact on these costs.