Automatic beef grading may be step closer

Published: Thursday, 20th August, 2009 9:00am - The Impartial Reporter

A revolutionary new classification assessment system for beef may soon be introduced to Northern Ireland, according to latest reports from the National Beef Association.

And it appears that some farmers groups are supporting the ideas and others have reservations.

This week, the Northern Ireland branch of the NBA recommended the introduction of the Video Imaging Analysis(VIA) for grading beef carcases.

The idea of automated grading is nothing new - A review of the beef industry in Ireland during the late 1990’s supported mechanical grading and by 2005, 90% of the national kill in ROI export approved beef plants was mechanically graded.

DARD staff visited Denmark 15 years ago to look at the system and as far back as 2001 the NI Assembly was welcoming an initiative to grade beef carcases using a mechanical grader.

Now, following a visit to New Zealand, where automated beef grading will not commence until at least 2010, meat plant owners belonging to NIMEA, the NI Meat Exporters Association, want to introduce VIA grading of cattle.

The NBA is also in favour of mechanical grading as it has advantages for beef farmers, including rewarding those producing quality lean carcases.

Commenting NBA Northern Ireland chairman, Oisin Murnion agreed that current NI grading systems are out dated.

""There is a huge benefit in having one machine used in all NI factories as is already the case in the ROI.""

""This removes variation due to each plant having individual graders and grades carcases to a ‘standard’ with, for example, a U3 the exact same at every factory! Automated beef classification will be an objective and impartial method of grading carcases.""

""Another benefit is that VIA can give you specific cut measurements configured to the EUROP scale. This technology also allows for greater use of sub-classes for both conformation and fat, potentially a big financial benefit when farmers are getting paid.""

""Butchers boning out carcasses report a large variation between existing grading classifications and actual meat yield. Automated grading takes out this variation and identifies quality cattle with high lean meat content.""

""Therefore, as an industry, we need to make a decision now to catch up with rival redmeat producing regions"" added Mr. Murnion.

However, NBA leaders are concerned that meat plants may use this ‘new’ system for their own benefit. The NBA wants programming and auditing of VIA machines done independently of plants. If an office in Germany controls the same machine used by plants across NI then farmers will face fewer arguments over grades.

""Given that automated grading gives producers and processors more accurate information on red meat yield we want to see factories actually paying better rates"" the NBA leader added.

""The NBA realise these machines are expensive, but they still see a role for human graders settling minor discrepancies such as carcases outside the calibration sample population, mechanical problems and environmental conditions.""

""Farmers and processors alike face huge challenges amidst a global recession so we must work together for the long-term benefit of all.""

""Moving to automated grading is an overdue decision, but how it is funded and operated is equally important for all in our grass based industry"" said, Mr. Murnion.

However the Ulster Farmers’ Union has stated it has not agreed to the introduction of automated carcase grading and has concerns about a number of issues regarding any potential change in the grading system.

The UFU’s Beef and Lamb Committee, who have also expressed concerns over inconsistencies in sheep classification, believe there may be more merit in primarily investigating the introduction of VIA grading in sheep. The Committee also refers to a recommendation made by the New Zealand Red Meat Task Force Producer Group, which was to explore the possible introduction of automated carcass grading in lambs, thus providing the opportunity to explore a new payments system based on yield/cuts.

William Taylor, Chairman of the UFU Beef and Lamb Committee stated, ""In order to actively address these issues, we have tried unsuccessfully to secure a meeting with NIMEA. A recent press release from NIMEA has implied that VIA has been given the green light by industry but that is not the case as far as our Committee is concerned. Issues highlighted to us by members include: ownership of automated grading machines, the potential for unlawful interference with the machines, future cost of the grading and impact if total ownership is given to the factory. There are also concerns over day to day monitoring of carcasses trim and the ability to question grades.""

Mr Taylor continued; ""These issues may pose significant problems for producers across Northern Ireland and need to be dealt with before anything further is decided. Any debate on the potential introduction of VIA will also have to include discussion on future payment structures that ensures the farmer is properly paid for the quality of animal that they produce.""