Ultrasound intramuscular fat scanning in sheep

Summary

The overarching objective of this project was to investigate the application of ultrasound scanning of sheep for intramuscular fat (IMF), as is used in the beef industry.  The specific objectives were:
Determine if scans are able to be taken that show a statistically significant correlation with chemical lean analysis of the loin from the same animal post slaughter.Establish and publish methodology to scan living animals for intramuscular fatInvestigate selective breeding for intramuscular fat.
This would enable breeders in Australia to improve carcass quality (in terms of juiciness) if they so desired.  A fundamental requirement of this PIRD was to conduct a double blind scan trial to demonstrate the repeatability and residual standard deviation of ultrasound IMF scanning to validate its application in sheep.This is an established procedure that is used to accredit ultrasound carcase scanners for LAMBPLAN, MERINOSELECT and BREEDPLAN.  This data was not produced. Without this data to determine scanner accuracy MLA considers the results and conclusions presented lack sufficient rigor to be published. The host organisation was advised not to publish the data and to advise its members of the shortcomings in what has been presented to date.