RED DEER, Alta. – Some producers are losing out on premiums for growing cattle containing more saleable meat. Automated carcass evaluation tests reveal $80 spreads are possible within a single grade.
That variation in value has been detected by a new computerized grading system known as video image analysis, a $750,000 research project.
Graders now use a specially designed ruler to measure lean mean yield, fat content, color and marbling on each carcass. They then assign a grade based on personal judgment and experience.
Using a new Australian system, researchers have found a more objective way to measure the value and quality of each carcass.
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In a study involving 500 carcasses, researchers separated top carcasses graded for marbling and yield and compared the amount of saleable meat on each. Yield is the amount of saleable meat in the ribeye portion of the carcass.
Yield and quality assessed
“We have a completely objective system for doing both the yield and the quality part of grading beef cattle,” said Steve Morgan Jones, who headed the research team for Agriculture Canada.
That should mean better returns to producers.
Pricing is now based on an average for a group of cattle. With this new system, a market value could be placed on each animal sold.
However, the industry must find an effective identification system in order to trace each carcass back to producers so they can be paid more for better cattle or paid less for lower quality carcasses.
Not for commercial cattle
“There are companies that are developing commercial products for sale, but nobody is using the individual equipment for commercial cattle,” Jones said.
The video image analysis system scans the entire body of the animal. The images are then sent to a computer which analyzes the lean meat yield, fat content and size of animal. The next day in the cooler, a second camera examines the ribeye, measuring fat, marbling and meat color.
Studies involving thousands of animals have gone so well that the system will likely be used full time at two of Alberta’s major packing houses next April, said Jones.
He said video image analysis, combined with a computerized ribeye analysis program, will be used by Cargill Foods at High River, Alta. and Lakeside Packers at Brooks, Alta.
The complete system costs about $130,000 and can work at full packing house speeds at a cost of 50 cents per head.
Automated grading is also being considered for other species. Some work has been done on lambs at Canada West Foods at Innisfail, Alta., and a Danish system is being considered for hogs.
