V.TEC.1715 - Camera grading for lamb meat eating quality to enable MSA MKII cuts-based lamb grading
Did you know that hyperspectral imaging can be used to predict intramuscular fat (IMF) in lamb carcases at line speed in the abattoir?
| Project start date: | 30 May 2019 |
| Project end date: | 27 April 2023 |
| Publication date: | 06 May 2024 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Sheep, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | National |
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Summary
Intramuscular fat (IMF) has previously been identified as a strong positive contributor to lamb eating quality and is a key input for the new Meat Standards Australia (MSA) Mark II cut x cook eating quality prediction model.
The key outcome of this project was the installation, calibration and use of an on-line hyperspectral imaging (HSI) camera to predict lamb IMF in an Australian commercial lamb processing plant.
Results indicate the predictive accuracy was sufficient to gain AUS-MEAT accreditation for the two to six IMF% range.
Objectives
The objectives of the project were:
1. Utilise camera grading to predict intramuscular fat (IMF), ultimate pH (pHu), eye muscle area, C-fat depth and GR tissue depth.
2. Combine the traits of IMF, lean meat yield (LMY) derived from DEXA measurement, hot carcase weight (HCW) and sire type (Merino, Border Leicester and Terminal) to estimate the MSA eating scores of selected cuts.
3. Develop a real time solution to physically mark loins and associated legs with an eating quality score greater than a predetermined threshold.
4. Connect the carcase grading data and MSA score to the abattoir database to enable producer feedback of the grading data.
Key findings
The first HSI system for measuring lamb IMF is now installed and has been used on-line in a commercial lamb processing plant in Australia. A set of lamb saddles (validation dataset with a broad range of IMF) have been scanned through the system. Meat samples have been collected and sent for independent analysis of IMF and validation of the HSI technology.
Results showed the device can meet AUS-MEAT accreditation for IMF between 2–6% but is underpredicting of IMF at higher levels of IMF. This will be addressed in an update of the statistical model used to predict IMF from the HSI output.
Benefits to industry
Full integration of the DEXA (for LMY measurement) and HSI camera system (for IMF measurement) are essential to enable producer feedback of LMY and IMF on an individual carcase basis and the implementation of the new MSA Mark II model. This information is highly valuable to enable both price signaling to producers and feedback to enable informed decision-making regarding flock improvement. Full integration will also allow the development of methods to segregate lamb cuts based on MSA quality thresholds to underpin elite lamb brands. The current barrier at the host abattoir is the lack of a functioning hook tracking system.
MLA action
MLA is supporting further work with the host processor to embed IMF measurement and integrate with DEXA yield for MSA MKII grading to enable development of new branding and marketing opportunities.
Future research
Future investment opportunities exist to refine the calibration to improve IMF prediction accuracy (especially in the higher IMF range) and seek AUS-MEAT accreditation.
More information
| Project manager: | Richard Apps |
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
| Primary researcher: | MURDOCH UNIVERSITY |
