V.TEC.1733 - Translating intramuscular fat measurement technology to the beef industry

Summary

This project has assessed feasibility of a new device that allows beef processors to measure the percentage of intramuscular fat (IMF%) of a hot beef carcase immediately after slaughter. The device uses an optical imaging technology developed at The University of Adelaide, that has been successfully demonstrated with hot lamb carcases. This device would allow beef processors to categorise meat quality early in processing, reducing costs in beef processing. It would also give Australian exporters a quantified measure of intramuscular fat, providing a differentiator against products from other countries. The project has established the feasibility of using this technology to estimate IMF% in hot beef carcases. 

Objectives

The objectives of this project were:

• develop a prototype scanner for beef carcases by adapting a system previously developed for use in lamb
•  establish feasibility of the scanner with an initial study of 100 beef carcases.

Key findings

In this project. we developed a prototype system and completed an initial feasibility study to estimate IMF% on 100 beef carcases from the Southern Multibreed herd. Our results showed a good correlation to gold-standard chemical estimates of IMF%, with an average absolute error of 1.4% and an r2 correlation value of 0.56. A limitation of the prototype system was that it was primarily trained on lamb data. We identified there is scope to significantly improve these results in future projects by acquiring and training the analysis algorithm with additional beef data.

Benefits to industry

This technology has the potential to improve boning room efficiencies by allowing processors to sort beef carcases prior to chilling. We estimate a potential saving for the Australian beef industry of $21 million per year in improved efficiency.

MLA action

MLA is continuing to support The University of Adelaide and Miniprobes develop and commercialisae this device in conjunction with CRC-P and AEA grant programs.

Future research

With support from MLA, we have secured funding for a follow-on project through the Commonwealth Department of Industry CRC-P grant program to complete translation of this technology for use in beef.