MEAT processor group, the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC), says it welcomes a commercial investment program announced by Meat and Livestock Australia to install objective carcase measurement technology DEXA.
The DEXA (Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry) technology will be installed by AMIC member companies Gundagai Meat Processors, Frewstal Pty Ltd and Wagstaff Cranbourne Pty Ltd.
MLA will work with the companies to develop a single scientific measurement of lean meat yield. The technology will replace the long-criticised subjective carcase measurement system, which has been strongly defended by AMIC.
MLA will work with the companies members under commercial arrangements to explore systems to collect and use data across supply chains for potential productivity improvements on and off farm.
AMIC does not represent JBS Australia or Teys Australia which collectively represent almost half of the nations’s processing capacity. Both of those companies are already well advanced with the implementation of DEXA.
AMIC chairman Lachie Hart said he welcomed the announcement saying: “AMIC reiterates its continued support for the utilisation of technology, in a commercial environment, for Objective Carcase Measurement (OCM).”
“AMIC endorses undertaking this process through commercial arrangements between interested processing companies and the MLA Donor Company (MDC).
“It is worth noting that this process is actually individual processor company investment, matched by the Australian Government, through the MDC, not producer levy funding through MLA. This shows the processing sector is committed to technology in this area.”
Mr Hart also supported the comments from MLA regarding progression on Project 150.
“AMIC agrees with MLA that, through Project 150, adoption does herald a transformation in the way our industry has done business for many decades,” Mr Hart said.
“As industry representatives, AMIC is carefully considering the options for the processing sector, by working directly with the Australian Meat Processors Corporation (AMPC), and MLA, on the outcomes of the EY Review, which is due to be released soon”.
The EY Review is widely seen as a delaying tactic in ongoing attempts to frustrate the introduction of DEXA.