IN BRIEF World first forbeefboning industry efficiency can be made. “Beef boning automation has been estimated to deliver at least a $30 per head benefit, with an estimated 40% of this benefit to return to producers. “The developments will also provide a platform for other value adding outcomes, such as increasing producer feedback through DEXA and CT installations. “We’re seeing the benefits of lamb boning automation in Australian processing plants, with carcase values increasing by more than $6/head. More than 40% of large processing Australia’s red meat Federal Government. throughput now uses the technology, industry is set to benefit MLA Managing Director Jason Strong and pending installations will raise this from the establishment said with Australia reportedly having to 71% of throughput.” of the world’s first beef one of the world’s most expensive Teys Chief Value Chain Officer, Tom boning automation R&D room, processing sectors, automating Maguire, said “Beef processing is one as the industry looks to reduce beef boning would reduce per head of Australia’s largest manufacturing processing costs and increase operating costs for the benefit of the industries employing thousands boning room yield efficiency. entire Australian industry. of Australians in rural and regional MLA Donor Company (MDC) will “Maximising the value of carcases communities and this type of invest up to $32.4 million over through accurate cutting along with investment will help us secure its future five years to enable MLA, beef the increase in productivity through for the long‑term. processor, Teys Australia, and solution continuous flow in the boning room is “Automation of critical beef cutting lines providers to develop beef boning vital to the sustainability of the Australianhas the potential to greatly improve automation technology. red meat industry,” Jason said. consistency and quality of product “Beyond movement in livestock prices, offered to customers whilst improving The program won’t utilise any producer the working conditions in our plants,” or processor levies, with Teys Australia the single biggest impact on processing Tom said. ■ co‑funding the beef boning automation efficiency is the accurate segmentation R&D room at its facility in Rockhampton, and deboning of carcases into the highest Sean Starling Queensland, with matching R&D primal value possible. It’s where the most E: sstarling@mla.com.au contributions to come from the significant improvements in processing How MLA’s investinglevies Each year, MLA releases its Budget summary In 2019–20, MLA plans to invest To read the full Annual Annual Investment Plan Investment Plan, which also (AIP) to inform levy payers, $279.2 million in research, includes a high-level SWOT peak industry councils, development and marketing activities analysis of the drivers affecting the Australian Government and across six pillars and 16 program MLA’s operating environment, the wider industry about MLA’s areas. Projected 2019–20 investment visit: mla.com.au/aip planned work program for the by funding source is: next 12 months. • Australian Government: $79.6 million • Grassfed cattle levies: $65.3 million The 2019–20 AIP was released • External funding: $52.2 million in June and outlines the programs, sub‑programs, product groups, key • Sheep levies: $46.6 million performance indicators and budgets • Australian Meat Processor that will guide MLA’s activities Corporation: $17.4 million throughout the year. Successful • Grainfed cattle levies: $15.3 million delivery of this plan will act as a • LiveCorp: $1.7 million stepping stone towards achieving MLA’s Strategic Plan 2016–2020. • Goat levies: $1.1 million. ■ 8