SUPPLY CHAIN SUPPLY CHAIN DELIVERING VALUE CUTTING EDGE TOOLS Augmented reality, 3D imaging and hyperspectral cameras are some of the objective measurement tools being developed for the beef, sheepmeat and pork industries through a major collaborative project. Phase one of an MLA‑supported Eating quality measurement project, Advanced Livestock technology Measurement Technologies Cut‑surface technologies for (ALMTech) for Globally Competitivemeasuring intramuscular fat – Australian Meat, is in its final yearincluding hyperspectral cameras, and on track to deliver all its setsimple red–green–blue (RGB) outcomes, including cutting‑edgecameras and near‑infrared technologies. spectrometers – are all Each of the project’s programs showing promise. have outputs designed to drive The process of securing AUS‑MEAT productivity and profitability alongaccreditation for RGB and the supply chain and keep the hyperspectral cameras has begun. Australian red meat industry ahead of its global competitors. Robotic technology The ALMTech team has been Here, principal researcher working in parallel with other MLA Dr Graham Gardner of Murdoch Donor Company (MDC) project University provides a snapshot ofteams to develop carcase‑scanning ALMTech’s achievements so far: technologies that could identify Lean meat yield measurement health defects in offal, measure technology eating‑quality attributes in live Measuring lean meat yield is animals and support automation. progressing, with full calibrationIndustry databases of the lamb dual‑energy X‑ray Data generated by new absorptiometry (DEXA) system measurement technologies is being completed in one supply chain. integrated into producer feedback Three other lamb plants are beingsystems and genetic databases. supported to install DEXA in theLivestock Data Link now has a lean next few months. meat yield value for beef and lamb. “We’re also working to define Researchers are working to create the language and standards for at least three new or enhanced a lamb DEXA auditing system,” genetic tools to aid producer Graham said. livestock selection, using data from “This will enable industry to progressthe new devices. away from the rudimentary Data decision systems measures of fat depth that it Adoption of these tools is starting currently trades on.” to ramp up, with the ALMTech team In an exciting development for liveworking with industry to develop animal technologies, 3D imaging producer workshops on lean meat cameras are being tested on yield and eating quality, including feedlot cattle. developing new and updated A hand‑held microwave device to producer manuals. measure fat depth in live sheep andA Beef Value Calculator and a cattle is also being tested. Lamb Optimiser module for ⊲ 35