P.PSH.1377 – Development and validation of MIJ mobile beef ribeye grading camera App to enable data integration into red meat processor systems

Summary

The project provided trial evaluation and commercial testing of the new MIJ Mobile device in its original online database upload configuration and a newly developed (within this project) Real-Time app configuration that enables offline instant ribeye grading analysis and data reporting within the device.

A Real-Time (stand alone offline) version of the MIJ mobile app was developed and delivered as part of the project that enabled offline analysis of rib-eye carcase grading using the MIJ Mobile device. This was tested against the MIJ mobile standard on-line database configuration.

Objectives

This project’s aim was to roll out the MIJ mobile app and grading camera solution and facilitate its integration into various operations’ workflows and business data management systems.
The project has met its objectives through:
• Commissioning 24 MIJ mobile app and grading camera solution with 24 individual supply chain participants using a cloud-based online database and analysis system from which objective data can be stored and downloaded for use within individual supply chains.
• Developing, testing and implementing a Real-Time version of the MIJ mobile app that enables carcase grading results to be displayed on screen without connectivity to Wi-Fi and the MIJ cloud-based database.
• Determining the accuracy of the MIJ Mobile App and grading camera solution against the MIJ-30 digital carcase camera.
• Calibration trials against AUSMEAT and MSA grading were conducted, including AUSMEAT and MSA accreditation trials.
• Technical support and training provided to all users of the MIJ Mobile App including training, technical and reference documentation completed.

Key findings

Through the project, MIJ mobile app equipment was installed within 24 Australian high quality branded beef supply chains, including providing secure accounts to the cloud-based supporting software for each brand and the development of ‘Real-Time' (stand alone/offline) grading capability within the mobile app itself. The MIJ mobile Real-Time app development was completed and installed at the AWA pilot plant testing site. The pilot plant site testing validated that the Real-Time app was viable for testing under commercial conditions. Data integration protocols for individual beef brands were developed, and device training and technical support was provided.

Trials were conducted across multiple sites, including the review device performance across sites, data collection and data integration into supply chains and technical support was delivered for all users. The MIJ Real-Time grading app was demonstrated across multiple users, with data captured using the MIJ database upload function compared directly to the MIJ Real-Time grading function with R2 of 0.98 for Marble Score.

Reports were submitted on the reliability and repeatability of the MIJ Mobile devices using mobile-upload and real time (offline) data analysis compared to the MIJ-30 camera for objective trait grading. The various critical elements of the MIJ Mobile grading solution were detailed, including the cloud-based data systems (already in-place developed by MIJ) and the MIJ Real-Time functionality.

Use of the MIJ mobile data systems were trialed through AUSMEAT and MSA accreditation trials that demonstrated preliminary approval of the MIJ mobile for MSA Marbling accreditation and high accuracy against IMF% samples to qualify the MIJ mobile for future AUSMEAT and MSA accreditation trials.

Through the project, 20,704 images have been captured by project participants. All project participants have maintained or increased their device usage through to the completion of the project.

Benefits to industry

Cloud-based data systems developed by MIJ have been robustly tested through 24 participants, with all participants continuing to use the MIJ mobile app grading device within their current (post project) carcase production for high accuracy grading and detailed meat quality description.

Know-how developed through the project will be used by each participant to enable data systems integration of the MIJ mobile app camera data into their supply chain data systems. Data downloads are available as .csv files or excel.

A new MIJ mobile Real-Time grading app was delivered through the project that allows hand-held offline analysis using the MIJ mobile device. This analysis was built into the MIJ mobile app and is now available for all users to test within and following the project.

Data captured through this project relating to AUSMEAT and MSA has been used to calibrate the MIJ mobile app and formal accreditation trials have been undertaken, including calibration to IMF% data through the AUSMEAT trial process. This data has been presented to the AMILSC to validate further participation of the MIJ mobile in future IMF% grading trials.

MLA action

Case studies will be created to showcase learnings and experience after integrating MIJ rib-eye grading camera into business workflows and operating systems. These case studies will be used to develop generic guidelines for adoption and integration of new OM technologies. created from each of the early OM adoption projects, these case studies will be made available to companies to help leverage the uptake and adoption of OM technologies into their business systems and processes.

Future research

A key finding through this project is that the MIJ mobile app grading device provided a robust solution for high-accuracy commercial grading through the 24 supply chain trial participants working across multiple processing sites. Of the 24 supply chain participants commissioned to use the MIJ mobile app grading device, 100% of users are still using the device at project completion under normal commercial conditions. AWA will continue to support these and other users, with opportunity to further develop the MIJ mobile objective grading trait range through future research.

To extend the utility of the MIJ mobile objective grading device, particularly for high-quality carcases where Marble Score drives commercial value, it is essential that the IMF% range against which the MIJ mobile device is calibrated is significantly extended. Work completed within this project showed high correlation between the MIJ mobile device and IMF up to 25% (AUSMEAT marble score 9). Through the current project, we have identified carcases well beyond 25% IMF, with MIJ mobile Digital Marble Scores of DMS 16 not uncommon. The average Wagyu Fullblood carcase is AUSMEAT marble 8 in our MIJ database. Using normal distribution of data, we estimate 30% of carcases are grading 9+ through to DMS 16. The AWA proposes to immediately develop a follow-on project to rapidly increase the volume of high IMF% carcase samples along with MIJ mobile imaging to allow for the extension of the current IMF% range within the AUSMEAT accreditation system and evaluation of the current AUSMEAT marble score range.