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

Author(s)
Polkinghorne, R
Watson, R
Gee, A
Porter, M
Thompson, John Mitchell
Publication Date
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.
Citation
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 48(11), p. 1351-1359
ISSN
1446-5574
0816-1089
1836-5787
1836-0939
Link
Language
en
Publisher
CSIRO Publishing
Title
Evolution of the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) beef grading scheme
Type of document
Journal Article
Entity Type
Publication

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