New intramuscular fat measurement technology available to sheep industry
Measuring IMF% in lamb carcases has only recently become a reality, but survey findings prove there’s a need for it - consumers say they’ll pay a premium price for high quality meat.
Chasing this market, MLA partnered with the University of Adelaide and SA company Miniprobes to develop a unique device that measures IMF% through a miniaturised needle scanner.
Installations of the device are set to begin at some SA red meat processing plants this year.
Big things come in small packages
Rob McLaughlin, Miniprobes Managing Director, said the technology derives from optical coherence tomography (OCT) which is commonly used to achieve medical imaging of the eye and heart in humans.
"By miniaturising the scanner head and putting it inside a needle that can be inserted into muscle, we’re able to acquire a higher resolution of the meat’s structure and better visualisation on small traces of intramuscular fat", he said.
"MLA has supported the development of this device all the way from its initial early-stage concept, through to its validation during trials at several commercial meat processing plants.
"Now, we’re continuing to work with MLA to commercialise the device and begin its first installations at South Australian processing plants".
The first on-site scanners will then undergo testing to gain AUS-MEAT accreditation for measuring IMF% in hot lamb carcases.
Rob is confident that accreditation will be granted, as trial results to date have shown the device to easily exceed the AUS-MEAT requirements, with an average absolute error < 0.9%.
Benefits to the industry
Measuring IMF% enables meat processors to differentiate their products based on eating quality – encouraging a more accurate pricing system for products to be implemented.
According to Jack Cook, MLA’s Supply Chain Technology Project Manager, some early adopter processors have begun to install devices to measure IMF% and are evaluating branding strategies.
"By processors adopting these technologies and segregating brands based on quality, it creates the opportunity for producers to receive a premium for high-quality lamb", Jack said.
"The Miniprobes scanner can also enable critical feedback to producers that will guide breeding and husbandry decisions".
The next steps
Following the first commercial installation and AUS-MEAT accreditation trials, Jack said MLA is supporting the University of Adelaide and Miniprobes in branching out to adapt the technology for the beef industry.
The Miniprobes and University of Adelaide projects are also being supported through federal government grant programs, namely the Australian Research Council (ARC), Cooperative Research Centres projects (CRC-P) and the SA Government Department of State Development, to help to initiative continue to progress.
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