Validating the E+V cold carcase grading camera for Australian carcase grading

Summary

The E+V cold carcase grading camera is currently commercially used in the USA to grade beef carcases at the quarter-site. The camera requires re-training to output AUS-MEAT and MSA grading characteristics.

This project calibrated the E+V cold carcase grading camera against Australian beef grading standards. The camera was calibrated and its accuracy validated by comparison with industry expert graders.

The range of attributes being measured is not the full set that meat graders measure. AUS-MEAT provisional approval was achieved for (i) AUS-MEAT Marbling (0-5); (ii) MSA Marbling (100 - 700); (iii) Meat Colour; and (iv) Fat Colour.

Objectives

The project objectives were:

1. Refine and test algorithms across a broad phenotype range of cattle at a northern (Bos Indicus) and southern plant (Bos Taurus).
2. Develop a pool of trained "quarterers" and camera users at the two sites (Camera users must be AUS-MEAT and MSA accredited graders).
3. Develop training materials and work instructions covering quartering and the correct application of the camera.
4. Develop protocols that cover when and how the camera outputs are over-written when determined they are incorrect.
5. Submit an application and gain approval for the E+V cold carcase (rib eye) grading camera from the Australian Meat Industry Language and Standards Committee covering both AUS-MEAT and MSA grading outputs.
6. Develop an interface with Graders Personal Data entry devices and the E+V cold carcase grading camera system.
7. Develop an interface to allow the pictures from the camera to be sent back to producers along with grading outcomes.
8. Develop extension material to use when sharing the camera collected MSA inputs with producers.

Key findings

The Australian Meat Industry Language and Standards Committee adopted standards proposed by ALMTech and granted the equipment provisional approval on the 19th of November 2019. 

The approval is limited to:

• AUS-MEAT Marbling (0-5)
• MSA Marbling (100 - 700)
• Meat Colour
• Fat Colour.

Benefits to industry

This project has achieved AUS-MEAT provisional approval for the E+V beef grading camera thereby providing an objective grading opportunity for the beef industry.

Collaboration with the ALMTech program developed the method through which grading camera technology can be compared to the best human graders and has created standards for other grading technologies to be approved.

MLA action

The establishment of grading camera approval standards has provided certainty of requirements to seek AUS-MEAT approval.  Four additional grading camera technologies are under development, which will provide a competitive offering to industry.

Future research

The calibration undertaken to-date was not able to predict eye muscle area with sufficient accuracy.

Further work will be done with this attribute with the intention of it eventually being added to the camera approval.