A new tool for fat depth measurement has accurately assessed carcase fat in sheep following extensive trials at Dardanup Butchering Company processing plant in Western Australia.
The Microwave Scanner (MiS) was developed by Murdoch University and has been undergoing trials, funded by AMPC, to measure fat depth in sheep at the girth rib (GR) site.
Accreditation trials for the MiS measurement of GR fat depth were also successfully completed, meeting all AUS-MEAT accreditation standards.
AMPC Project Officer Lauren Smith said, “Accurately determining carcase fat is essential to enhance productivity and profitability for the red meat processing industry.”
“AMPC invested in this research to support the industry to find a robust solution to accurately measure fat depth.
“Most commonly carcase fat depth measurement is taken by manual palpation and assigning a fat score from 1-5. There are two alternative instrument measures of GR fat depth (GR Knife, AUS-MEAT Sheep Probe), however processing chain speeds often result in palpation being the preferred method. Manual palpation, audited under the AUS-MEAT accreditation system, can be biased by its subjective nature.
“This device will give processors an accurate GR fat depth with the click of a button. It will improve efficiencies, allowing pre-planning of boning runs based on carcase fat and specifications, making it easier to market products and enhance the accuracy of carcase feedback within the supply chain,” she said.
The MiS was designed by Murdoch University to be portable, hand-held, low-cost, and robust enough to withstand the elements of a red meat processing plant.
Murdoch University Professor Dr Graham Gardner said, “The MiS works by transmitting low power, electromagnetic waves into the carcase through an antenna. A signal is then reflected and captured by the antenna.
“The conductivity of bone, muscle, and fat tissues vary greatly, and will alter the reflected signal. As such, the device can determine the depth of different tissues.
“We have deliberately built this device as a cheaper alternative for measuring carcase fat. DEXA systems are certainly more accurate, but some processors can be put off by the large footprint and installation cost, so they need other options.”
Dardanup Butchering Company Innovation Manager Reece Williams said, “The recent trials of the new device at our plant have exceeded expectations, leading to its full integration into our daily operations.”
“The device now seamlessly links measurements directly into our production system, allowing us to print GR fat depth information onto carcase tickets if required.”
“It was easy to implement and there were no significant infrastructure changes needed to install the device.”
Lauren said, “The MiS device is an excellent option for processors looking to enhance fat depth measurement accuracy in sheep. It is cost-effective, easy to install, and has proven to be reliable within the harsh environment of commercial processing.”
For more information about the MiS device and successful research, contact AMPC Project Officer Lauren Smith at l.smith@ampc.com.au