Projects

Results: The key Australian Pork Limited (APL) carcase assessment and grading initiative, PorkScan, is tipped to return an annual benefit to industry of $33 million by 2025.

An independent evaluation by IDA Economics shows a benefit-cost ratio of 25:1 and an internal rate of return of 65 per cent.

Chair of APL Enzo Allara says APL played a major role in brokering the consortium arrangement for PorkScan, securing funding support and providing 30pc of the total research and development funding.

“PorkScan addresses the long-held industry objective to improve carcase measurement and uses real time, medical grade ultrasound hardware to measure subcutaneous fat depth over the loin muscle, loin muscle depth and belly fat,” Mr Allara said.

“The system also involves laser light striping to predict carcase and primal lean meat yield (LMY)”

PorkScan is expected to improve LMY of Australian pigs as the technology impacts on the price grid and price signals are relayed back to producers.

The evaluation also identified cost savings to processors via more accurate identification of carcasses with appropriate LMY for specific products, prior to entering the boning room.

The PorkScan consortium comprises of APL and the five largest Australian pork processors, Big River Pork, QAF Meat Industries, Swickers Bacon Co-operative, Linley Valley Pork and Primo Smallgoods.

These five companies slaughter about 60pc of Australia’s pigs.

Mr Allara says APL is a unique rural industry service body for the Australian pork industry, a producer-owned company delivering integrated services that enhance the viability of Australia's pig producers.