Digital passport for cattle tracks meat quality from farm to table

The quality problem in Argentine cattle

Producers, feedlots and slaughterhouses face pressure to prove meat quality and origin. Sebastián Victorica, cofundador and director of UBI Meat, says the answer requires genetics, feeding, and a third element: data.

“Podés llegar a producir el mejor animal, pero si no lo comunicas y no lo tenés documentado objetivamente con transparencia y trazabilidad, esa calidad puede ser difícil de mostrar al mercado”

Information silos block quality proof

Argentina has tools to produce and measure quality but struggles to connect dispersed information. Victorica and co-founder Martín Rojas noted independent data silos that do not communicate with each other.

“Tenemos silos independientes de información que no están conectados ni se hablan entre sí”

The digital passport concept

Victorica conceived a digital passport for cattle that gathers data on origin, genetics, feeding, feedlot time and slaughterhouse results. Integration would improve production decisions and meet buyer traceability demands.

UBI Meat's AI fat measurement tool

UBI Meat develops artificial intelligence and data analysis tools for slaughterhouses, producers and feedlots. One application analyzes phone photographs to estimate fat percentage in meat cuts for hamburger production.

Precision exceeds ninety-five percent

Victorica explained the measurement reaches precision superior to ninety-five percent according to company tests. Technology also advanced to evaluate marbling, the intramuscular fat, and classify cuts by United States standards.

Linking animal data to quality results

UBI Meat works on a platform connecting animal data like breed, sex, age, weight and feeding with quality results after slaughter. Producers can then understand whether genetics, feeding or feedlot time were appropriate.

“Es fundamental que el productor sepa cómo rindió su animal en calidad, no solamente en kilos”

Cost reduction through early quality detection

Measurement can help review costs. Some animals might reach desired meat quality before the planned fattening period ends. Verified with data, producers could adjust feeding and reduce corral days.

Argentine typification integrated two years ago

The firm incorporated Argentine typification into its systems two years ago and already integrates information from animal identification by ear tag through slaughterhouse records. It will show the platform at Rosgan.

Learning from Australia's MSA program

Victorica references Australia's Meat Standards Australia program, which classifies meat by quality parameters and consumer experience. Shared criteria allow information to flow through the chain and quality to be recognized commercially.

Common language needed for quality

Argentina already has typification tools that can serve as a base to advance. Victorica said a common language of quality, objectivity and traceability is needed. Measurement and classification under these schemes is voluntary.

“Se necesita que se hable el mismo idioma común de calidad, objetividad y trazabilidad”

International buyers demand transparency

Traceability grows in international commerce. Buyers and consumers demand more information on food origin and production methods. Integrated records help respond to those demands and European deforestation requirements.

“Los consumidores demandan cada vez más transparencia sobre de dónde vienen los productos”