The Modern Meat Maker
Teaching robots to feel the meat
Butchers have inspired Australian-designed meat-cutting robots that operate by feel rather than vision.
Robotics engineer Dr Basem Aly has automated a robotic cutting arm to detect the texture and density of meat, regardless of temperature,
“We just use our vision to look at the external features of the piece of meat. We decide the seam where we want to cut and then we feel our way inside the seam,” he said. “We got our inspiration from a butcher.
“This technology allows us to sense beneath the blind spots of the meat.
“The different tissues in the meat – such as meat, fat, and bone – all feel different, and so it’s similar to what we do as humans while we’re cutting.
“The robot uses a very similar concept; it’s basically a manipulator that can imitate the moving arm of a human butcher by measuring the force exerted on the knife and using those different forces to understand where to cut.
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The University of Southern Queensland researcher used striploins to test his cutting arm robot. He is now trialling the technology with Kilcoy Global Foods.
Ram vs wether: closer than you think
Whole ram lambs might be a bargain buy, but new Australian research finds there are few differences between the cut-price carcases of intact animals with those of wethers.
Intact ram lambs are often discounted by meat processors because of their perceived defective meat quality and additional processing requirements.
Scientists led by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Charles Sturt University collected data from 133 ram and 132 castrated lambs, with 50 carcases further studied for meat quality, consumer sensory scoring and colour stability.
Gundagai Meat Processors was also part of the study team.
The ram lambs are generally heavier and leaner and, over time, develop a less-acceptable flavour profile. Differences in tenderness start to become apparent after 300 days of age.
The latest research found that wethers were fattier than ram lambs. The consumer taste-testers scored the meat of wether lambs as significantly more tender and of greater overall liking than that of ram lambs, but further testing for intramuscular fat and colour suggest a general satisfaction with both types of lamb, the researchers said.
“Collectively, there seems to be few tangible performance and meat quality advantages to the castration of male lambs,” said lead researcher Benjamin Holman.
Scott profit
Scott profit cott Technology nearly doubled net profit after tax to $NZ14.2 m in the 2025 financial year to August 31.
The NZ-based meat processing automation company reported revenue was steady at $NZ275m and higher margin contracts in the second half produced EBIT of $NZ31.5m, up 19%.
Scott reported an increase in meatworks installations, led by a lamb primal cutting plant for JBS in Victoria, another for Dawn Meats in the UK and poultry plants for Costco and Maple Leaf in North America.
The directors have declared a final dividend of NZ5c unimputed and the full-year dividend was NZ8c a share.
“Over the coming year, we expect revenue growth and continued earnings leverage,” the company said in its results announcement.
“However, we remain cautious with the macro volatility that persists and any impact this may have on customers’ investment plans over the next 12 months.”
Scott has a strategy to increase revenue by 14% annually over the next five years to reach $530m.
Greenham growth
Greenham Australia will expand production at its regional Victorian abattoir, creating 270 new jobs and securing new contracts, including with Woolworths.
The abattoir in Tongala has nearly doubled production to more than 1300 head/day.
Originating from a small Melbourne butcher shop in the early 1800s, Greenham now exports to 25 domestic and international markets and employs more than 1000 people.
Butchering history
A century of butchering is being celebrated in northern NSW in November. The Brunswick Valley Historical Society’s Mullumbimby Museum is staging an exhibition about butchering in the region. The exhibition opened on 24 October. More details, including opening hours, at mullumbimbymuseum.org.au.
New boxed meat service
A new boxed meat home delivery service has been launched, covering the eastern seaboard. Farmers Pick has launched The Fridge delivering meat and dairy from more than 70 family-run farms processed in NSW.
A cut above
An 18-year old butchers apprentice in suburban Brisbane who saved half his wages for four years has bought his first home. Lachlan James, of Holland Park, paid $575,000 for a three-bedroom unit in Zillmere in Brisbane’s north, just one year after finishing high school. The savvy teen started working in the family business, Carina North Quality Meats, aged 14, saving between $450 to $500 a week, while living at home.
Happy hundreth
In South Australia, Angaston locals gathered to celebrate the 100th birthday of a local butcher’s van in mid-October. The Turner’s Butcher 1925 Dodge was the centrepiece of a local historical celebration staged by the Angaston and Penrice Historical Society.