ONE year after its quiet introduction, meat grading for lamb has been hailed a steady success.
About 70,000 lambs have been graded through the new Meat Standards Australia (MSA) grading system for lamb since it started in May last year, with 83 per cent of carcasses making the grade.
Meat and Livestock Australia industry systems general manager Allan Bloxsom said the 17 per cent “ungraded” rate was mostly due to the processors own specifications not being met rather than any failing of the MSA system itself.
Under the program, producers supplying lambs over the hooks are given basic feedback on carcase weight and fat measurements of their stock but Mr Bloxsom said more detailed feedback system was being developed to give growers more information, and he expected this system to be available within the next six months.
Six processors are currently involved in the program across NSW Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland, with an additional four to six processors to join the program over the next 12 months.
Mr Bloxsom added MSA lamb had been introduced without the big fanfare and industry discussion that erupted from the beef equivalent some 10 years ago.
"We’ve learnt just how important it is to have processor ownership of the program," Mr Bloxsom said.
"Naturally we are looking to boost MSA lamb over its second year to get a critical mass of animals through the system and have it adopted more widely at retail."
Mr Bloxsom could not say what he thought "critical mass" was for MSA lamb but said 70,000 in the first year was a solid start.
Sheepmeat Council president Chris Groves said MSA had the potential to deliver enormous benefits for his industry and said he was very happy with how it had been progressing.
"We are happy with the uptake so far and there are a large number of workshops currently being planned, this is not just about feedback for growers it is about a lower failure rate for our customers," Mr Groves said.
"So they know exactly what they are buying and what certain cuts are best for particular uses. Sure, it will take a while for growers to get a handle on it but I am sure the industry will really benefit from MSA and the experience that beef has had."
If beef MSA is any guide, producers can look forward to gaining a premium through the system.
"We have seen about a 10 cents per kilo hot carcase weight equivalent premium for MSA beef and I daresay we could see a similar advantage develop for lamb over the next few years," he added.
During the early commercial stages of MSA sheepmeat most lambs have been supplied on a direct consignment basis however, saleyards can participate in the program, provided they are aware of the MSA requirements.
To qualify, lamb producers will need to be accredited.
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