V.TEC.1726 - Translating intramuscular fat measurement technology to the sheepmeat industry-
A new device has proven capable of measuring IMF% in hot lamb carcases with required accuracy for AUS-MEAT accreditation.
| Project start date: | 15 December 2021 |
| Project end date: | 31 January 2025 |
| Publication date: | 17 December 2024 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle, Sheep, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | National |
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Summary
A previous MLA project (P.PSH.1244) identified a technology developed at The University of Adelaide with the potential to measure intramuscular fat. The objective of this current project has been to translate that technology, developing a prototype to establish technical feasibility, and undertaking field trials in a commercial meat processing plant. These objectives were successfully achieved. We developed a device consisting of a handpiece for scanning the carcase, and a console containing the core optics modules and a computer for analysis. The handpiece has four stainless steel needles, each needle containing two tiny fibre-optic probes the thickness of a human hair. As the needles are inserted into the carcase, they acquire a high-resolution image of the intramuscular fat. This image is analysed using artificial intelligence algorithms to automatically compute an estimate of the percentage of intramuscular fat. This prototype device was tested in a field trials at TFI Tamworth with 250 lambs from the MLA Resource flock and results were compared against a chemical gold-standard.
Objectives
This project describes the development of a device to measure intramuscular fat, and preliminary validation trials to assess the accuracy of the scanning technology. This has been demonstrated through the production of several prototype devices, and by conducting field trials in a commercial meat processing plant.
Specific objectives for the project are listed below:
1. Establish a team including hardware and software engineers, livestock researchers and meat scientists to successfully deliver the project.
2. Undertake initial carcase IMF scans and analysis to inform prototype design.
3. In collaboration with MLA project V.TEC 1723, design a scanner console and IMF scanning needles.
4. Complete a technical description document and construct one console and a set of IMF needles that satisfies design requirements.
5. Conduct field trials demonstrating technical feasibility, in which data is captured in a commercial meat processing environment using prototype system.
6. Conduct a trial capturing data in a meat processing environment at the rate at which carcases are processed during a typical production run using a commercial-demonstrator system.
7. Provide a final report describing:
a) field trial for performance and speed using a commercial demonstrator system
b) application to AMILSC for AUS-MEAT accreditation to measure IMF% in lamb.
Key findings
The device produced estimates with a mean absolute error of 0.68 IMF%, a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.87 IMF% and an R2 of 0.48. 84% of estimates were within 1% of the gold standard IMF% measurement. 98% of the estimates were within 2% of the gold standard IMF% measurement. This satisfies the accuracy required for accreditation within the meat industry by AUS-MEAT.
Benefits to industry
The development of a reliable device to measure meat eating quality in sheepmeat would allow processors and producers to extract greater value from their product. It would enable retailers to segment sheepmeat products based on eating quality, and provide a commercial differentiator for Australian exports to overseas markets. We estimate that this could generate an additional $173 million of value per year for the Australian sheepmeat industry.
MLA action
MLA plans to continue supporting the commercialisation and adoption of this device to help industry relalise the potential benefit.
Future research
Further work will be required to complete translation and commercialisation of this device. MLA support will be critical to attract the necessary funding and also to accelerate industry adoption.
More information
| Project manager: | Jack Cook |
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
| Primary researcher: | Miniprobes Pty Ltd |
