V.DIG.0022 - Technical advisor for the adoption of the Disease and Defect data standards
MINTRAC manages the collection of sheep health data for the National Sheep Health Monitoring Program from 10 plants across the nation. Their experience assisted in the development and implementation of the Disease and Defect data guideline.
| Project start date: | 20 January 2021 |
| Project end date: | 30 January 2023 |
| Publication date: | 30 January 2024 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | National |
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Summary
MINTRAC was engaged to provide technical advice for the development and adoption of the Disease and Defect data guideline for the recording of animal health data by the sheep and lamb processing industry. The guideline has been developed to enable animal health data to be recorded using a uniform code so it can be gathered and collated from red meat processing plants. The adoption of this standard will enable standardised animal feedback to producers allowing them to get a clear idea of the prevalence of diseases and defects in their flock.
Objectives
To provide technical support and advice to assist in finalising the Disease and Defect data guideline for small stock species in terms of individual and mob-based data collection.
Also provide technical support and advice to processors and their meat inspection service around implementing the data guidelines at establishments not participating in the NSHMP or the Health for Wealth (H4W) red meat pilot trials.
Key findings
The animal data currently captured from sheep processors in the NSHMP is now using nomenclature compatibility with the National Disease and Defect guideline and can be coded before being stored on the MLA data platform. This animal health data can then be provided as feedback to producers that access the MLA myFeedback portal.
Major sheep processing plants that are not currently part of the NSHMP have been canvassed and they have expressed interest in participating in a national health database.
Benefits to industry
The sheep meat industry now has the ability to gather animal health data in a uniform manner using a standardised code and nomenclature for the diseases and defects of greatest concern to the processors and producers.
MLA action
Promotion of MyFeedback and recruitment of additional processing facilities uploading data for use in MyFeedback to the MLA data platform.
Future research
In order for producers can routinely get animal health data feedback when consigning sheep and lambs for slaughter effort will need to be put into:
• recruiting more plants into gathering data
• providing processors with access to options/technical solutions to enable meat inspectors to accurately record animal health data on the slaughter floor
• promote the myFeedback portal to producers and the advantages of accessing and responding to disease and defect data.
More information
| Project manager: | Demelsa Lollback |
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
