V.TEC.1723 - On-line measurement of intramuscular fat in hot lamb carcases
A new technology has been developed to measure intramuscular fat in hot lamb carcases.
| Project start date: | 15 December 2021 |
| Project end date: | 01 June 2025 |
| Publication date: | 17 March 2025 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | Southern Australia, Northern Australia, National, NSW, Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory, Tasmania, International |
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Summary
The market for lamb meat is not currently segmented based on eating quality. However, consumers will pay a premium for high quality meat. This project developed a new device to assess eating quality in lamb meat by measuring intramuscular fat. This device is intended for use in a meat processing plant, to enable assessment of meat early in the processing workflow, with the potential to allow processors and producers to capture additional market value.
Objectives
Specific project objectives for the project are:
1. Develop the hardware and software required for a hot carcase probe that can be deployed in a meat processing plant to measure IMF in commercial conditions.
2. Undertake trials to validate the accuracy of IMF measurement under commercial conditions, and in doing so compile a dataset to underpin an application for AUS-MEAT approval for IMF measurement.
3. Develop a prototype of the IMF needle scanner for the Australian market in collaboration with an early-adopter lamb processing partner.
Key findings
A validation trial on 205 lamb carcases at TFI Tamworth, NSW, taken from the MLA Resource flock was completed. The device produced estimates with a mean absolute error of 0.64 IMF%, a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.85 IMF% and an R2 of 0.50. 80% of estimates were within 1% of the gold standard IMF% measurement. 98% of the estimates were within 2% of the gold standard IMF% measurement. This satisfies the accuracy required for accreditation within the meat industry by AUS-MEAT.
Benefits to industry
This project has established the feasibility of using a fibre-optic needle probe to rapidly measure intramuscular fat in a hot lamb carcase. Our internal modelling suggests this could generate an average additional $7 of value per carcase, and increase the value of the Australian sheepmeat industry by $173 million per year.
MLA action
MLA will continue to provide support to this device to encourage commercial adoption to assist producers realise additional value for premium lamb.
Future research
Further work will be required to complete translation and commercialisation of this device. MLA support will be critical to attract the necessary funding and support industry adoption.
More information
| Project manager: | Jack Cook |
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
| Primary researcher: | University Of Adelaide |
