The results of a trial showing that video image analysis (VIA) of sheep carcases was as accurate and more consistent than the expert classifiers at predicting carcase conformation were revealed to industry representatives yesterday.

The results of a trial showing that video image analysis (VIA) of sheep carcases was as accurate and more consistent than the expert classifiers at predicting carcase conformation were revealed to industry representatives yesterday.

The study also confirms that VIA offers sheep abattoirs a means of predicting both meat yield and primal weights. Such objective measurements have been the Holy Grail of the slaughter industry for some time and offer producers more accurate and consistent methods of valuing lamb carcases.

When sheep carcases are classified in the UK they are assessed visually for fat and conformation according to the EUROP grid. This can form the basis of payment from processor to producer, but the subjective nature of visual assessment and variations between assessors has led to disputes in the past and a suspicion that some abattoirs use the system to undervalue lambs.

VIA technology is already used by the meat industries in a number of countries, largely for classification of beef, but also for classification of lamb. It is not currently in commercial use in the UK, although some abattoirs have been evaluating the technology for beef.

The study, to evaluate the use of VIA for prediction of classification and meat yield, was jointly funded by the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX), Hybu Cig Cymru/ Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and the Livestock and Meat Commission of Northern Ireland (LMCNI), and was managed by the Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC).

A total of 1800 carcases were used in the study to allow the development and validation of prediction equations. The study took account of different operational procedures such as suspension methods and dressing specifications that may impact on industry uptake of VIA technology.

The VIA machine, from a German company, was compared against a panel of three UK expert classifiers from the MLC, Rural Payments Agency and Scottish Executive in addition to the MLC in-plant classifier. Although the machine was as accurate and more consistent than the expert classifiers at predicting carcase conformation, it was less accurate and less consistent than the experts at predicting fatness.

QMS industry development manager Andy McGowan said: "VIA machines can provide a rapid, repeatable, automated and objective way of assessing sheep carcase conformation and fatness and provide an alternative to current carcase assessment methods.

"Via machines can also be used to predict saleable meat yield from individual carcases. This trial will enable the industry to assess the potential that the equipment offers in these areas of operation."