Researchers using Frontmatec Q-FOM cameras in the chillers at Australian Country Choice

RESEARCHERS working at the Australian Country Choice beef processing plant in Brisbane have successfully trialled new technology taking some of the guesswork out of grading beef carcase traits at the ribeye site.

The scientific and technical teams from Murdoch University and the University of Sydney combined to conduct extensive trials of Frontmatec’s Q-FOM camera.

Grading of beef carcases is traditionally conducted by qualified graders, who visually assess specific traits at the quartered ribeye site. Grading this way is subjective and the results from separate graders, or even from the same grader over the course of a day, is subject to variability.

Reporting in the peer-reviewed journal Meat Science, the project team said the Frontmatec Q-FOM camera delivered 95pc of the variation in mean eye muscle area assessments from Meat Standards Australia-qualified graders.

“The Q-FOM camera also demonstrated very high repeatability and reproducibility across all traits,” the researchers said.

They sought to develop calibration models against ribeye traits and independently validate precision, accuracy and the camera’s repeatability.

The study compiled 12 different research datasets across a range of carcase types, graded by industry identified expert MSA graders and sampled for chemical intramuscular fat.

The Danish-developed camera took only seconds to measure standard parameters with a single picture of the ribeye include marbling, fat colour, meat colour and eye muscle area.

The hand-held device acquires images of the cut surface by coupling a 3D camera with a high resolution 2D camera, enabling correct colour and area representation, while maintaining high resolution of the eye muscle area.

Two high-intensity diffused LED panels illuminate the cut surface, minimising negative effects of ambient light.

The researchers said: “The application of automated technologies in the meat industry is challenging as carcases are inconsistent in presentation due to phenotype and genotype, and processing factors.

For example, the size, shape and quality of presentation of the eye muscle and marbling, meat colour and fat depths differ for every carcase, making image segmentation and analysis complex.

Objective carcase measurement had the capacity to transform the Australian beef industry by delivering precise, accurate and repeatable grading data which can inform decisions throughout the value chain, researchers said.

Paul Gibson

“This study demonstrated that the Frontmatec Q-FOM beef grading camera accurately and precisely determined AusMeat and MSA rib eye traits across a broad range of carcase phenotypes, relevant to the diversity of Australian beef supply chains,” they said.

ACC’s group research and development manager Paul Gibson said objective measurement delivered by transformative technology was a paradigm shift and would change how the industry does business.

The camera has already obtained AusMeat accreditation for grading beef carcases for the traits listed below. It is now ready for adoption by industry:

• Caudal to the 10-13th rib for the chiller assessment attributes
• MSA marbling and AusMeat marbling
• Eye muscle area
• Meat and fat colour.

The trial was co-funded by the Meat and Livestock Australia Donor Company (MDC), in conjunction with commercial partners Frontmatec A/S and ACC in oversight by the Advanced Livestock Measurement Technologies (ALMTech) project, funded by the Australian Government.