SUPPLY CHAIN SUPPLY TECHNOLOGY z CHAIN DELIVERING VALUE Linking carcase measurement and biosecurity Adaptations to medical and aviation scanning technology to advance objective carcase measurement are now also helping to detect biosecurity risks. In a project looking at X‑ray work with continuous baggage CT technologies to identify meat, fruit,scanning. Some machines were vegetable and soil biosecurity scanning 1,800 bags an hour. Our risks, MLA is working alongside fastest sheep and beef plants need aviation security screening leadersthe equivalent of 1,400 bags an hour.” Rapiscan® Systemsto develop Three years ago, MLA reached out aborder operations evaluation to US‑based Rapiscan® Systems, program with the Australian and whose technology centred on New Zealand governments. finding explosives in bags. According to MLA General ManagerRapiscan® showed an interest in for Research, Development, expanding into food scanning and Innovation & MDC, Sean Starling,agreed to co‑invest in a program the project grew from the to evolve aviation CT for the extensive obective measurementj livestock industry. program aimed at building better managementsystems throughout The first of three systems developed thevalue chain. is now undertaking evaluation work in Australia, with meat samples “We’ve looked to medical CT being analysed offline. scanners to evaluate or calibrate how othersensors, such as DEXA “We’re hoping it’ll measure lean meat (dual‑energy X‑ray absorptiometry),yield, eating quality and animal couldbenefitour industry,” Sean said.wellbeing and health,” Sean said. “Tenyearsag, we started engagingo MLA is now also reviewing two withmedicalCT equipment new co‑investment submissions developers. Their machines weren’t from Rapiscan® Systems, looking to fit‑for‑purposefor our industry move the scanning technology to .” live animals – one for beef and one This meant they weren’t large for small stock. This would allow the enough for a carcase to pass technology to be applied on farm through and product couldn’t go and in feedlots. ■ through at a fast enough rate. “We wanted to evolve this gear to Sean Starling suit our supply chain. So, we lookedE: sstarling@mla.com.au around the world. The aviation rapiscansystems.com security sector was also doing this This graphically‑modified image shows how scanning technology could be used in future to objectively measure live animals. 37