Australian meat processing set for major changes with automated beef boning

Australia's red meat industry is set to benefit from the establishment of the world's first beef boning automation research and development room.

Meat & Livestock Australia has earmarked over $32 million over five years to work in ) in collaboration with beef processor, Teys Australia, and others to develop the automation technology.

The program will not utilise any producer or processor levies, with Teys Australia co-funding the R&D room at its Rockhampton facility in Queensland. Other contributions will come from the federal government.

The Managing Director of MLA Jason Strong said with Australia reportedly having one of the world's most expensive processing sectors, automating boning would reduce per head operating costs.

"Maximising the value of carcases through accurate cutting along with the increase in productivity is vital for the sustainability of the Australian red meat industry," Mr Strong said.

"Beyond movement in livestock prices, the single biggest impact on processing efficiency is the accurate segmentation and deboning of carcasses. It's where the most significant improvements in processing industry efficiency can be made.

"We are seeing the benefits of lamb boning automation in Australian processing plants, with carcass values increasing by more than $6 per head. Over 40 per cent large processing operations now uses the technology."

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Mr Strong said MLA had undertaken industry consultation with more than 20 processors on beef boning automation, and will continue to work with other Australian processors and hold regular updates.

"The beef boning automation research will be available for any solution provider to develop approved initiatives and will be open for Australian processors to visit to see the developments and evolution of the technology," Mr Strong said.

Teys Australia has welcomed the investment in the development of automation solutions for beef boning.

Teys Chief Value Chain Officer, Tom Maguire, said with beef processing one of Australia's largest manufacturing industries employing thousands of Australians, investments like this will help secure its long-term future.

"Around the world, manufacturing has shown that it can maintain a competitive advantage provided it adopts the latest technologies and embraces the digital economy. There is no reason that the beef processing industry cannot be part of this," Mr Maguire said.

Mr Maguire said Australian cattle producers produce some of the best beef in the world, and a modern, efficient and productive processing system can ensure that position is maintained.

"Automation of critical beef cutting lines has the potential to greatly improve consistency and quality of product offered to customers whilst improving the working conditions in our plants," Mr Maguire said.

"While we have much work to do to deliver an outcome, we are committed to getting the best and brightest minds to work with us on the project and getting the job done."