V.RDP.2006 - Enhancing supply chain profitability through reporting and utlilization of per-mortem information by livestock producers

Summary

This project was one of seventeen projects that received funding under Round 2 of the Rural Research and Development for Profit Program administered by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. The project was a partnership between: - Australian Pork Limited (APL)
- Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)
- Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC)
- Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources
- Victoria and South Australian Research and Development Institute.

The purpose of this project was to develop standards for the consistent reporting, recording and analysis of animal disease and defect data (peri-mortem data) for use by processors and producers. Whilst many meat processing recording systems are already in place, data collection on disease-related carcase and offal condemnations, and feedback of this information to producers varies considerably. The project aimed to introduce a standardised and comprehensive approach to data collection of disease-related carcase and offal condemnations, and feedback to producers. This will allow producers to monitor disease prevalence in their livestock and make informed decisions to maximise yield outcomes. This project was conducted across the beef, sheep and pork supply chains.

Objectives

1. Develop a business case for a peri-mortem data capture and reporting system that meets the needs of stakeholders across the beef, goatmeat, pork and sheepmeat supply chains.
2. Develop standards and software that can be used to collect and consistently report disease-related carcase and offal condemnations (total and partial) during ante- and post-mortem inspection.
3. Conduct validation studies to identify challenges or barriers to implementation and recommend solutions prior to rollout of the national system.
4. Implement a national extension and adoption strategy to allow standardized data collection and reporting systems to be integrated into Australia’s beef, goatmeat, pork and sheepmeat supply chains.
5. Provide data to support on-going risk assessments of inspection procedures.

Key findings

This project developed a variety of resources such as a business case; a communication strategy for the project; an accredited training program; Beef (5) and Pork Factsheets (18) on the common conditions; a national extension and adoption strategy; and an ex-post benefit cost analysis of the pilot trials.
- 8 red meat pilot trials tested the capture and collection of disease and defect data during processing and provided this feedback to producers. These trials validated the draft “Australian National Standard for the Development, Collection and Reporting of Animal Health Data” (Data standard) to identify any challenges and issues.
- Individual disease and defect data was able to be collected from beef abattoirs and provided as feedback to producers. Most of the beef plants that participated in the pilot trials already had IT systems in place to collect disease and defect data on the slaughter floor. Only minor amendments were required.
- There was number of challenges that occurred at small-stock abattoirs to enable the capture of disease and defect data. These ranged from IT systems to changes in the process on the slaughter floor to hardware issue.
- Software system vendors played a vital role in the red meat pilot trials as they were required to embed the draft data standards. Significant development was required by the vendors to incorporate the standards into their kill floor systems to enable plants to collect post-mortem data in a consistent way.
- Close engagement with all stakeholders is imperative when setting up a disease and defect feedback systems within a processing plant. Stakeholders have varying needs and wants in relation to understanding the impacts of diseases and defects and animal health feedback.
- Providing animal disease and defect data can help producers reduce disease/defects in their herd or flock, but education and support are needed to ensure that both producers and processers know how to best utilise this data.

Benefits to industry

The Health 4 Wealth project aims to introduce a standardised approach to the collection and feedback of animal disease and defect data to producers. By enhancing available feedback systems, this project will allow producers to monitor disease prevalence in their livestock and make informed decisions to maximise profits.

MLA action

1. To update and finalise the draft Australian National Standard for the Development, Collection and Reporting of Animal Disease and Defect Data with the technical working group and to get endorsement from AMILSC.
2. To get additional processing plants adopting the draft Australian National Standard for the Development, Collection and Reporting of Animal Disease and Defect Data and providing this feedback to their producers.

Future research

The trials identified several challenges with the draft Australian National Standard for the Development, Collection and Reporting of Animal Disease and Defect Data that need to be resolved and discussed with the technical working group.

Further validation trials are required to be undertaken on sheep plants to enable individual collection and reporting of animal disease and defect data.