Data serves up the recipe for great lamb
- LambEx
- Jul 8
- 2 min read
It's official: when it comes to producing a great lamb, it's not about the breed or the feed - it's about the data.
The Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) Carcase Showcase - Australia's largest-ever analysis of lamb eating quality - has revealed enormous potential for producers to lift both eating quality and lean meat yield.
More than 5,300 lambs from 52 producers, processed in Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales, have delivered the industry's most comprehensive commercial carcase benchmark yet, reinforcing a simple message: outstanding lamb is produced in every corner of Australia.
LambEx26 AMPC Carcase Showcase Manager Jason Schulz said the results challenged many long-held assumptions about what determines a quality lamb. "There wasn't one breed or one feeding system that stood above the rest," he said. "We saw both exceptional and lower-performing lambs across every breed, as well as grass-fed, grain-assisted and feedlot production systems."
More than 1,400 LambEx26 delegates attended a special session this afternoon, where experts from Meat & Livestock Australia, the Australian Meat Processor Corporation, producer participants and processors Gundagai Meat Processors, JBS and WAMMCO analysed the results and explored the breeding, management and production decisions that influenced carcase performance.Â
Measured in the loin eye muscle, IMF is influenced by genetics and nutrition and is one of the strongest indicators of eating quality.
Mr Schulz said there was a level of variation within most individual consignments.
"Historically, many producers have selected rams for growth and carcase weight, with eating quality only becoming a breeding focus in more recent years," he said.
"The variation we're seeing is actually a positive story because it shows there is still significant opportunity for genetic gain."
The AMPC Carcase Showcase was a feature of LambEx26, providing producers with practical, objective carcase feedback from commercial lambs and demonstrating how better data can improve on-farm decision-making, profitability and consumer eating experiences.
AMPC Carcase Showcase results are avaiable for download here and further information on the program can be found on the LambEx Website.
Media Enquiries:
Lauren Watt
Chief Executive Officer
0417 330 192