IN BRIEF Changes coming to MSA Meat Standards What producers need to know Australia (MSA)will be rolling outSarah said that for now,MSA‑registered cattle producers What’s several changes to don’t need to do anything – just be different? its model, the MSA Vendor aware that changes are coming. Declaration Form and myMSA “MSA will contact all Changes include: from June. MSA‑registered cattle producers • Hump height will be used as a direct The changes will affect supply in coming months about the predictor of eating quality: While hump chain participants differently and changes they’ll need to be aware height has always been measured as part MSA will be in contact with all of,” she said. of MSA, it will now be used as a direct stakeholders in coming months, Industry endorses predictor of eating quality rather than an including cattle producers, customer focus estimate of tropical breed content. processors, independent boning MSA Beef Taskforce member and • The number of ‘cut by cook’ rooms and retailers. Cattle Council of Australia director combinations will increase from 169 MSA Program Manager Sarah David Hill said the changes will to 275: This will give new secondary Strachan said the beef model ensure the model maintains a high cut options to the foodservice industry updates findings from five years level of accuracy, based on the and provide increasingly popular of research. latest scientific evidence. cooking methods such as sous vide and “The upgrades will give everyone combi‑oven roasting. “The research was reviewed by • A revised MSA Vendor Declaration Form: the independent scientists on our in the supply chain – especially the customer – confidence that the The form will simplify how producers MSA R&D Pathways Committee, record tropical breed content and it will who then recommended ways model continues to deliver what is, without doubt, the best beef provide an option for owners who use the results could be incorporated agistment or custom feeding to receive in an MSA beef model update,” eating‑quality grading program in the world,” he said. ■ direct carcase feedback through the Sarah said. myMSA feedback portal. MSA Beef Taskforce member To find out more about these MSA‑registered producers will not need and Australian Lot Feeders’ changes from MSA’s Laura to instantly transition to the new MSA Association vice president Grant Garland, view the webinar at Declaration Form when it becomes Garey said the changes received futurebeef.com.au and search available. Earlier versions of the MSA “unanimous support”. ‘MSA changes’. Declaration will be accepted until “The upgrades have been MSA will contact all producers run out of their current versions. supported by the MSA Pathways MSA‑registered cattle • New myMSA features and look: R&D Committee, MSA Beef producers and MSA‑licensed Producers will have access to an Taskforce and, importantly, the supply chain participants in Opportunity Index on cattle that did Australian Meat Industry Language coming months with more not meet minimum MSA grading Standards Committee,” Grant said. details on the changes. requirements, giving producers an “This support reflects the rigorous mla.com.au/msa indication of the potential value of those scientific evidence which carcases if they addressed the reasons demonstrates tangible benefits for non‑compliance. Users will also notice for those operating within the a refreshed, more user‑friendly myMSA supply chain.” online portal. 6