More than 350 producers and industry stakeholders attended the MLA Updates 2022 event in Toowoomba last November. Tying into the 'Adopt and Accelerate' theme, attendees were able to:
- hear the latest on MLA's research and development (R&D) and marketing programs
- ask staff about key projects
- get exclusive access to see the latest industry research and technology in action.
The showcase included an MSA Hub where producers could view a variety of demonstrations, including:
- MSA beef grading and interactive MSA Index calculation activity with MSA Producer Engagement Officer, Laura Garland (right)
- MSA sheepmeat Intramuscular Fat measurement using a SOMA device with Dr Peter McGilchrist from University of New England (UNE) Armidale (left).
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The MSA Hub also featured several Objective Carcase Measurement devices which are either currently approved or in development. These will be for use in commercial operations to measure beef and sheepmeat carcase traits such as AUS-MEAT and MSA Marble score, eye muscle area for beef, and Intramuscular Fat (IMF) percentage.
The event had a range of interactive displays of MLA's investments. These included the latest carbon accounting tools, live cattle and sheep displays to demonstrate the use of genomic testing and application of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and Australian Sheep Breeding Value (ASBVs) in herds and flocks, and a selection of on-farm technology and robotics including water level sensors and drone mustering.
