Meat Standards Australia

PROGRAM OBJECTIVE	KPIs	OUTCOMES	BENEFITS	FUTURE
Maintain leading eating quality grading and labelling systems	Encourage and implement electronic monitoring of company graders Roll out the MSA sheepmeat program to 12 processors Identify the feasibility of value-adding beef primal cuts in a commercial environment	114 processing employees using MSA electronic monitoring system Seven processing plants have undertaken MSA sheepmeat training in preparation to commence, with two already operating the program Sensory testing conducted on Japanese consumers	Improved integrity systems for MSA Reliable eating quality standards for sheepmeat Improved taste perceptions of Australian beef internationally	Increase beef grading by 10% Further roll out the MSA sheepmeat program and migrate MSA beef standards to AUS-MEAT Release new model incorporating R&D from Japan, Korea and US and develop standards and systems for its use by export processors

Ensuring MSA quality standards are maintained, we introduced an electronic monitoring system for 114 company graders. (PH measurement pictured here)

A total of 715,856 head of cattle were graded through the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) program, an increase of 10.9% on last year’s numbers.

Highlights for our eating quality program in 2006-07 were the roll out of the MSA sheepmeat eating quality standards, the introduction of a system that electronically monitors company graders and the Japanese segmentation research.

Ensuring sheepmeat eating quality

The MSA standards for the sheepmeat eating quality (SMEQ) manual were developed, along with training programs for processors. Seven processors were trained in sheepmeat standards and a number of supply chains are now using SMEQ systems. We did not reach our KPI due to a number of processors not progressing to the stage of full implementation.

Electronic monitoring

Maintaining the integrity of the MSA trademark is a key objective of the program. In conjunction with AUS-MEAT, we introduced an electronic monitoring system of graders to maintain quality standards.

The computer-based system has been taken up by 31 plants and used by 114 company graders, who regularly complete an online MSA assessment which tests them on meat colour, fat colour, marbling and all MSA grading components. Test results are submitted to the MSA website resulting in graders either maintaining their MSA accreditation or being identified for re-training in specified areas. The system has been very successful, cost effective and has overseas commercial prospects.

Differentiating our product in Japan

Groundbreaking research this year saw the science behind MSA help us identify the preferred tastes of Japanese consumers.

The project, conducted in late 2006, was undertaken to differentiate Australian beef and make sure our product suits the taste requirements of Japanese consumers. No other country in the world is in possession of this sort of knowledge and expertise that offers consumers the confidence to buy product that meets expectations every time. The results of this study will assist in growing demand for our red meat in one of our major export markets.

Consumer research has also been undertaken in the United States, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

< Back | Top | Next >

Recipient's email:
Sender's name:
Sender's email:
Subject:
Message:	I think you will be interested in this page from the MLA 2007 Annual Report. Just click on the following link. http://mla07.designate.com.au/meat_standards.php

	Click the larger "A" to make the text bigger and click the smaller "A" to return to the original size.
	To print out the annual report pages you are viewing click Print. You can also use your default print function from your keyboard.
	If you would like to email a reference to the page you are viewing to a colleague or friend click Email. The email message will already be setup for you with a link to the page and you can add additional information if you wish.
	Click Downloads to access a complete set of PDF files of the annual report. You will also be able to download a single PDF file of the entire annual report here.
	To view the complete sitemap of the Annual Report click the Sitemap button.
	To search for a particular word or phrase enter the criteria in the search field and either click on the Search button or simply hit Enter or Return on your keyboard.