Cone Beam X-ray Carcase Imaging
| Project start date: | 13 November 2017 |
| Project end date: | 14 September 2020 |
| Publication date: | 23 June 2021 |
| Project status: | Terminated |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | National |
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Summary
This project aimed to enhance the recently developed 4DDI equine robotic CT scanner to be suitable for scanning carcase yield, eating quality and health attributes, on Australian beef sides and lamb carcases.
The scanner was trialled at an Australian beef processing facility and at an Australian lamb processing facility.
4DDI analysed the success of the scans and determined whether they can be paired with 2D DEXA and CT lean meat yield (LMY) and eating quality objective measurements (EQ OM) results for beef sides and lamb carcases.
The completed work confirmed many aspects of the technical and commercial feasibility; however, premature termination due to Covid-19 limited the project value, and consequently further work including a site demonstration is still required.
Objectives
The objectives of this project were to equip the 4DDI Veterinary CT scanner to scan Australian beef sides and lamb carcases and scan a number of beef sides at an Australian beef and lamb facility.
Key findings
- Preliminary scanning of primals occurred in US and demonstrated encouraging results.
- The design of a system, with technical validation, was carried out, and system specification and commercial proposal submitted.
- Work was terminated prior to an Australian demonstration due to Covid-19.
Benefits to industry
A flexible CT X-ray carcase imaging system, with capability to fit into plants with limited floorspace and grade carcases for eating quality and health attributes pre-chiller would allow for value gains in sorting and process optimisation.
MLA action
The project was terminated by MLA due to complications the US based 4DDI partner faced during Covid to complete milestones and commit to funding. These issues also prevented the securing of a processing partner within Australia to conduct field trials.
MLA sees future value in the technology but will require new partners with expertise in the technology to come on board.
Future research
The system concept is still considered technically and commercially interesting and should be explored further.
More information
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
| Primary researcher: | 4DDI |
