MSA changes set to be rolled out

Meat Standards Australia (MSA) is set to roll out several changes to its model, the MSA Vendor Declaration Form and myMSA from next month, to deliver more benefits throughout the value chain, particularly to consumers.

MSA program manager Sarah Strachan said the changes would affect value chain participants differently and MSA would contact all MSA stakeholders in coming months, including beef producers, processors, independent boning rooms and retailers.

“For now, MSA-registered beef producers don’t need to do anything – just be aware that changes are coming,” Ms Strachan said.

“MSA will contact all MSA-registered beef producers in coming months about the changes they’ll need to be aware of.”

Ms Strachan said the beef model updates incorporate findings from five years of research.

“The research was reviewed by the independent scientists on our MSA Research and Development Pathways Committee, who then recommended ways the results could be incorporated in an MSA beef model update,” Ms Strachan said. Some of the changes include: Hump height will be used as a direct predictor of eating quality. While hump height has always been measured as part of MSA, it

Market report for the 15th and 16th May

There was decreased demand in a larger yarding of 383 which is 91 more on last week. Where good cattle in short supply sold very well and secondary cattle the demand was not there with feed being the issue coming into winter.

Steers sold to good demand for well bred and well finished cattle.

269 vealers sold to 331.2, averaged 218.2 and per head $661.51.

43 steers sold to 313.2, averaged 250 and per head $1154.14.

66 heifers sold to 313.2, averaged 194.4 and per head $795.75. The yard average 383 head 216.6 and 733.68 per head. Thursday's cow and bull sale had 604 cows, 19 bulls, 30 steers, sold to good demand with a full field of buyers in a market that was dearer for good cows and stronger on lighter cows than last week.

The bull sale where the better finished bulls sold to good demand which had some lighter bulls which sold to weaker demand.

604 cows sold to 244.2 cents, averaged 165 and per head 821.58.

19 bulls sold to 245.6 cents, averaged 193.5 and per head 1443.30.

Vealers 1 Lim 1 Lim 1 Ang 1 Lim 2 Lim 2 Lim 1 R/Ang Steers 6 Lim 4 W/Blk 3 Ang Heifers 1 Char N Dilauro, Darnum 1 Ang L Quine, Neerim Sth Beef Cows 2 Hfd LF Turpin, Yarragon 510 1 Ang C&A Marson Farming, T/N 510 1 Lim JR&DD Anderson, Trafalgar 610 1 Lim Seaview Park P/L, Seaview 550 1 Ang Hasthorp & Robinson T/Sth 710 Dairy Cows 1 Frn GR&KA Fankhauser, D/West 670 3 Frn WN Williamson, Bona Vista 618 5 Frn K&L Snell, Poowong 708 1 Frn NG&RD Cranston, NNG 575 2 Frn Roots Family Trust, L/warry 615 1 Frn Foxhaven Farms, Mt View 645 1 Frn S Garvey, Modella 640 Steers 1 AngX 1 R/Frn 16 Frn Bulls 1 Lim W Guy, Tynong Nth 1 Maine S Kane, Trafalgar 1 Lim W Guy, Tynong Nth 1 Lim JR&DD Anderson, Trafalgar 1 Lim M Sterling, Lardner 1 S/HornR&S Greig, Boolarra

Heyne & Voss, Newry 430 R&J Ferguson, Nyora 400 Schelleken Farm, N/Sth 395 WR&LM Heyne, Maffra West 425 Shea Eden, Bass 375 R&J Ferguson, Nyora 330 J Brown, Jindivick 465

B Sim, Trafalgar A Furborough, Tynong Ras Lawson, Cloverlea DJ Armstrong, G/borough 595 WN Williamson, Bona Vista 595 DJ Armstrong, G/borough 579

Elders, 4. SEJ, 5. NGL.

459 465 468

470 625

331.2 1424 326.6 1307 326.0 1287 322.0 1368 315.0 1181 315.0 1040 313.6 1459

313.2 307.2 275.0

267.6 250.0

240.0 236.2 232.0 232.0 224.6

212.0 209.6 202.0 196.6 185.0 180.6 180.6

249.6 230.0 218.6

1437 1428 1287

1255 1562

1224 1204 1415 1277 1594

1420 1296 1430 1130 1137 1164 1155

1485 1368 1265

940 245.6 2308 1075 240.0 2580 785 236.6 1857 620 222.2 1377 735 221.6 1628 845 212.2 1793 1. Scotts, 2. Landmark, 3. will now be used as a direct predictor of eating quality rather than an estimate of tropical breed content.

The number of ‘cut by cook’ combinations will increase from 169 to 275 to give new secondary cut options to the food service industry and provide increasingly popular cooking methods such as sous vide and combi-oven roasting.

A revised MSA Vendor Declaration Form. The form will simplify how producers record tropical breed content and it will provide an option for owners who use agistment or custom feeding to receive direct carcase feedback through the myMSA feedback portal.

MSA-registered producers will not need to instantly transition to the new MSA Declaration Form when it becomes available.

Earlier versions of the form will be accepted until producers run out of their current copies.

New myMSA features and look: Producers will have access to an Opportunity Index on cattle that did not meet minimum MSA grading requirements, giving producers an indication of the potential value of those carcases if they addressed the reasons for non-compliance. Users will also notice a refreshed, more user-friendly myMSA online portal.

MSA Beef Taskforce member and Australian Lot Feeders’ Association vice president Grant Garey said the changes received unanimous support.

“The upgrades have been supported by the MSA Pathways R&D Committee, MSA Beef Taskforce and, importantly, the Australian Meat Industry Language Standards Committee,” Mr Garey said.

“This support reflects the rigorous scientific evidence which demonstrates tangible benefits for those operating within the value chain.

MSA Beef Taskforce member and Cattle Council of Australia director David Hill said the changes will ensure the model maintains a high level of accuracy, based on the latest scientific evidence.

“The upgrades will give everyone in the value chain – especially the customer – confidence that the model continues to deliver what is, without doubt, the best beef eating-quality grading program in the world,” Mr Hill said.