New objective measurement industry trials set to commence

The Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) are partnering with JBS Australia to trial new objective measurement systems for lamb processing at their Bordertown plant in South Australia.

Measuring intramuscular fat (IMF%) has been a key priority for the industry since its formal approval in the AUS-MEAT language. Accurate IMF% measurement can underpin data-driven grading and value-based payment systems, which incentivise quality and enhance processor competitiveness against other proteins and within international red meat supply chains.

The research will involve trials of several innovative tools designed to measure IMF% in hot carcases at chain speed. In addition to IMF% a new hot GR fat measurement device is also being integrated into the Bordertown facility.

AMPC Project Officer Advance Manufacturing Koentadi Hadinoto said, "These trials represent an important milestone in moving objective measurement technologies from research to commercial application."

"By validating tools that can measure intramuscular fat with precision and consistency, we're helping processors make data-driven decisions that enhance value and support long-term competitiveness."

Three technologies will be validated as part of the research, each offering a different approach to IMF measurement.  A fourth technology is being installed to measure hot GR fat depth:

•    MEQ Sheep Probe
•    Miniprobes Scanner Technology
•    inMR’s Automated Prototype System (Ovine IMF Marbl™ Twin Sensor)
•    Microwave Scanner (MiS) developed by Murdoch University (GR device)

Each system will be evaluated in commercial conditions, with a focus on accuracy, reliability and compatibility with plant operations. Trials have commenced and will continue into 2026. 

Once complete, the trials will help determine the commercial value of IMF measurement for JBS, support AUS-MEAT accreditation, and guide the development of integration protocols for processing plants across Australia.

The AMPC team recently visited the Bordertown site to see firsthand how preparations are progressing.

Koentadi said, “The site has transitioned from installation to active operation, with core technologies now running on a regular schedule. AMPC, MLA and JBS Australia are working closely to ensure smooth commissioning. System performance and process coordination are steadily improving, supported by ongoing infrastructure enhancements and tools that enable efficient data capture and analysis.”

"This work is a key step toward delivering a consistent, objective and value-based lamb grading framework." 

JBS’s Southern Head of Innovation Sean Starling said, "With the technologies now installed and being used most days, all of the technology can be evaluated and evolved for robust measurement reliability uptime and data integration into JBS’s systems."

"JBS would like to thank AMPC, MLA and the four vendors for their ongoing support in this large deployment at Bordertown."

MLA Project Manager Supply Chain Technology Jack Cook said, “By implementing these technologies, this project is assisting JBS also evaluate the MSA sheep cuts model, which is underpinned by IMF and GR, together with hot standard carcase weight (HSCW)."

"Once commercialised, the MSA model can enhance eating quality, provide valuable feedback to producers, and support the development of methods to segregate lamb cuts based on quality thresholds, underpinning elite lamb brands and ultimately improving the marketability and profitability of lamb products.”

For more information about the trials contact AMPC Project Officer Koentadi Hadinoto at k.hadinoto@ampc.com.au