P.PIP.0594 - Early adoption & Evaluation of Masterbeef objective measurement technology
The Masterbeef grading camera is fully accredited by AUS-MEAT to measure the full range of MSA Marbling in beef carcases.
| Project start date: | 25 January 2022 |
| Project end date: | 31 October 2023 |
| Publication date: | 26 April 2024 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle |
| Relevant regions: | Cold wet, Dry, Mediterranean, Tropical warm season wet, Sub-tropical moist, Sub-tropical sub-humid, Temperate, Temperate sub-humid, Tropical Moist, International, Tropical wet |
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Summary
This project will integrate the MasterBeef App and grading camera solution into JBS’s northern operations’ workflows and business data management systems. This will improve analysis of carcase traits for more consistent and accurate grading, and improve producer confidence in feedback. This will facilitate increased producer engagement with brand specifications and provide opportunities to improve genetic gain and management to better meet brand and product specifications. This project was a successful application from the 2021 Objective Measurement open call for proposals targeting the increased adoption of OM technologies. General learnings from this project will be used to develop generic guidelines for adoption and integration of new OM technologies.
Objectives
The overall objective of the project is to test the commercial viability of the Masterbeef handheld camera to measure ribeye grading characteristics in beef. This project’s primary objective is to ensure consistent grading results to provide the most accurate supply chain feedback. This will drive producer engagement with brand specs and improve genetic gain.
The specific objectives of the project are:
• Test and trial integration of developing equipment and integration of software into feedback systems including MSA grading outputs (across multiple JBS sites).
• Evaluate the integration of the Masterbeef camera solution into JBS’s northern operations’ workflows and business data management systems, including feedback to producers.
• Evaluate device grading capabilities across multiple classes of animals and sites.
• Develop protocols on how to integrate new OM technologies including data captured into existing business systems.
• Develop generic guidelines for adoption and integration of new OM technologies
• Develop a case study of learnings of integration of Masterbeef into business workflows and operating systems used to develop generic guidelines for adoption and integration of new OM technologies.
Key findings
The key benefit of the objective carcase measurement is the ability to have a consistent grading measure across multiple sites for the delivery of consistent brand specifications for our customers. The Masterbeef camera offers a number of benefits:
• Simple to use – off the shelf Samsung camera
• App functionality easy to use and configurable
• Light weight, low cost durable shroud
• Limited changes to current grading process
• Images of the actual carcase eye muscle for reference if dispute with supplier / customer
For the JBS business it is believed that increased accuracy of the grading will deliver increased customer satisfaction.
Benefits to industry
For the industry objective carcase measurement technologies will allow for improved feedback to suppliers that will ultimately drive improvements in the quality of cattle being supplied. Objective carcase measurements will drive increased trust through the supply chain as these technologies get adopted across the processing sector.
MLA action
Yes, further investment is planned to take OM technologies beyond the early adoption phase and fully implement them within supply chain operating systems.
Future research
It is recommended that Masterbeef continues to refine the camera app and complete the AUS-MEAT accreditation requirements.
More information
| Project manager: | Jack Cook |
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
| Primary researcher: | JBS AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED |
