A GR/Impedance probe proves unsuitable for measuring GR depth in Australian lamb carcases

Stephanie M Fowler; Jordan M Hoban; Remy van de Ven; Mal Boyce; Andrew Williams; David W Pethick; David L Hopkins

doi:10.1016/j.meatsci.2017.02.023

A GR/Impedance probe proves unsuitable for measuring GR depth in Australian lamb carcases

Meat Sci. 2017 Jul:129:71-73. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2017.02.023. Epub 2017 Feb 27.

Authors

Stephanie M Fowler¹, Jordan M Hoban², Remy van de Ven³, Mal Boyce⁴, Andrew Williams⁴, David W Pethick⁴, David L Hopkins²

Affiliations

¹ Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Innovation, Armidale 2350, Australia; NSW Department of Primary Industries, Centre for Red Meat and Sheep Development, Cowra 2794, Australia. Electronic address: steph.fowler@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
² Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Innovation, Armidale 2350, Australia; NSW Department of Primary Industries, Centre for Red Meat and Sheep Development, Cowra 2794, Australia.
³ Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Innovation, Armidale 2350, Australia; NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute, Orange 2800, Australia.
⁴ Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Innovation, Armidale 2350, Australia; Division of Vet and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, WA 6150, Australia.

PMID: 28259074
DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2017.02.023

Abstract

Multiple studies were conducted at 3 abattoirs to determine the potential of a dual function GR/Impedance probe to measure GR soft- tissue depth (depth at the 12th rib, 110mm from the mid line of the carcase) of typical lamb carcases processed in Australia. Lamb carcases (1016) were measured approximately 25min post slaughter with the probe and a GR knife as the most commonly used measurement. Modelling indicated that variation in the measurement using the probe compared to the measurement using the knife occurred with increasing carcase weight and fatness as well as between different abattoirs. Consequently, the probe in its current design cannot provide the repeatable measurement required by industry.

Keywords: Carcase assessment; Carcase yield; Fat depth; Lamb.

MeSH terms

Abattoirs
Animals
Australia
Body Composition*
Electric Impedance*
Red Meat / standards*
Sheep