Evolution of the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) beef grading system

R. Polkinghorne; J. M. Thompson; R. Watson; A. Gee; M. Porter

doi:10.1071/EA07177

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

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Evolution of the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) beef grading system

R. Polkinghorne ^A ^F , J. M. Thompson ^B , R. Watson ^C , A. Gee ^D and M. Porter ^E

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Marrinya Agricultural Enterprises, 70 Vigilantis Road, Wuk Wuk, Vic. 3875, Australia.

^B Cooperative Research Centre for Beef Genetic Technologies, School of Environmental and Rural Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.

^C Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia.

^D Cosign, 20 Eleventh Avenue, Sawtell, NSW 2452, Australia.

^E 2 Oliver Street, Ashburton, Vic. 3147, Australia.

^F Corresponding author. Email: rod.polkinghorne@gmail.com

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48(11) 1351-1359 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA07177
Submitted: 12 June 2007 Accepted: 20 June 2008 Published: 16 October 2008

Abstract

The Australian Beef Industry identified variable eating quality as a major contributor to declining beef consumption in the early 1990s and committed research funding to address the problem. The major issue was the ability to predict the eating quality of cooked beef before consumption. The Meat Standards Australia (MSA) program developed a consumer testing protocol, which led to MSA grading standards being defined by consumer score outcomes. Traditional carcass grading parameters proved to be of little value in predicting consumer outcomes. Instead a broader combination of factors forms the basis of an interactive prediction model that performs well.

The grading model has evolved from a fixed parameter ‘Pathway’ approach, to a computer model that predicts consumer scores for 135 ‘cut by cooking method’ combinations for each graded carcass. The body of research work conducted in evaluating critical control points and in developing the model predictions and interactions has involved several Australian research groups with strong support and involvement from the industry.

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