MSA program continues to deliver farm gate returns
03 October 2018
The world-leading Meat Standards Australia (MSA) program is estimated to have delivered $152 million in additional farm gate returns in 2017-18, according to the latest data contained in the MSA Annual Outcomes Report.
The new data also shows more than 3.1 million cattle and 6.1 million sheep were processed through the MSA program in 2017-18. For cattle, this represented 43% of the national adult cattle slaughter, an increase of 3% on the 2016-17 financial year, while the number of sheep following MSA pathways in 2017-18 represented 26% of the national lamb slaughter, with 74% of those lambs supplying brands underpinned by MSA.
MSA Program Manager Sarah Strachan said the latest figures showed the MSA program continued to grow and strengthen, providing strong farm gate returns.
“This year marks 20 years since this world-leading eating quality program was released to industry, and adoption rates continue to rise with more than 5,000 new cattle and/or sheep producers becoming registered to supply livestock through the MSA program in the past financial year,” Ms Strachan said.
“Producers continue to also embrace carcase feedback, with a 32% increase in the number of beef producers accessing reports and benchmarking tools on myMSA in 2017-18.
The uptake in accessing carcase feedback is reflected in outstanding compliance to MSA minimum requirements, which was maintained at 94% across all feed types, nationally, and the average MSA Index for compliant carcases improved by 0.19 Index points to 57.78.
“Over-the-hooks cattle price indicators for MSA compliant cattle in 2017-18 remained higher on average than non-MSA cattle with the average differential for young cattle (excluding grainfed accredited cattle) across all weight ranges $0.21/kg, and $0.13/kg for grainfed cattle.”
Sixteen new brands became MSA-licensed to underpin their brands with the independent endorsement of eating quality, taking the total number of MSA-licensed brands to 172.
Almost 3,000 producers received MSA education through more than 81 workshops or information sessions, including the MSA Excellence in Eating Quality Awards series, which reached more than 500 producers at six forums across the country.
Ms Strachan said looking towards 2020, MSA had its sights set firmly on ensuring all cattle in Australia will be eligible for MSA grading and have their eating quality accurately described.
“The goal is for more than 50% of the national cattle slaughter and 43% of the lamb slaughter being MSA graded,” Ms Strachan said.
“At the same time we are looking for ways to help producers improve their compliance rates, their MSA Index values and supporting brand owners to fully embrace eating quality principles. These goals are driving the focus for investments in new eating quality research and striving to extract greater value from the MSA program for the whole supply chain.
“The dedicated team at MSA is focused on ensuring the MSA program continues to grow and deliver benefits to its more than 50,000 registered producers, 53 MSA processors, 172 brands, and 3,681 end user outlets, by consistently meeting consumers’ expectations for beef and sheepmeat eating quality.”
Ms Strachan also highlighted the ongoing support from industry through the red meat Peak Industry Councils.
“Representatives from the red meat Peak Industry Councils contribute through the MSA Taskforce, ensuring the research, integrity and further development of MSA continues to address key industry priorities,” Ms Strachan said.
State breakdown (MSA proportion of state slaughter):
- New South Wales: 62% of cattle and 17% of sheep
- Queensland: 39% of cattle
- South Australia: 20% of cattle and 55% of sheep
- Tasmania: 58% of cattle and 14% of sheep
- Victoria: 20% of cattle and 33% of sheep
- Western Australia: 56% of cattle and 33% of sheep.
To access the full MSA Annual Outcomes Report please click here.
