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Emerging Objective Measurement Investments

Overview

These projects and investments focus on new and emerging value propositions, traits, and technologies within the red meat industry. This includes the development of innovative devices and methods to measure existing descriptors of value—such as lean meat yield (LMY) and eating quality—as well as the identification and measurement of new traits that can deliver additional value. Examples include shear force (a key indicator of tenderness), animal health attributes, and components of the red meat supply chain collectively referred to as the ‘5th quarter’ (offal, hides, skins, blood, bones, and other co-products).

These investments are typically blue-sky initiatives, characterised by higher levels of technical and commercial risk and lower readiness on technology and investment scales. However, they offer significant potential returns if successfully developed and adopted, positioning the industry for long-term growth and diversification.

Core Activities

In addition to supporting implementation, early adoption, and live animal measurement technologies, the Objective Measurement (OM) programme places strategic emphasis on Horizon 3 projects—long-term opportunities that are generally 5–10 years away from commercial realisation but promise substantial industry impact.

Key initiatives include:

  • ‘5th Quarter’ Measurement OM: Development of objective measurement technologies to support grading and harvesting of red meat co-products, including offal, hides/skins, blood, bones, and other raw materials. These technologies aim to enable processing into higher-value products such as functional foods, nutraceutical ingredients, and bio-based materials, creating new revenue streams for the industry.
  • Next-Generation Devices for Existing Traits: Research and development of advanced tools to improve the precision and efficiency of measuring established traits such as eating quality and yield, leveraging innovations in imaging, spectroscopy, and sensor technology.
  • New Traits and Measurement Technologies: Exploration of novel descriptors of value within red meat supply chains, such as DEXA Bone R and other metrics that can inform product differentiation, health claims, and consumer-driven quality standards.

Benefits to industry

The benefit to the red meat industry of these Horizon 3 investments lies in their potential to unlock new sources of value, enhance sustainability, and strengthen global competitiveness. By developing technologies that measure emerging traits and co-products such as offal, hides, and bones, the industry can maximise utilisation of the entire animal, reducing waste and creating premium products for high-value markets, including nutraceuticals and functional foods. These innovations also enable greater precision in grading and quality assurance, supporting brand differentiation and consumer trust. Furthermore, investing in advanced measurement devices and novel descriptors positions Australia as a leader in meat science and technology, driving long-term profitability and resilience. Ultimately, these projects provide a pathway for the industry to diversify revenue streams, meet evolving market demands, and maintain its reputation for quality and innovation.