This purpose of the standard is to define a consistent data file approach to reporting objective measurement technology metadata from processing slaughter establishment (plants), to those entities authorised to receive the data.

The standard defines the data set to be passed from a Plant to the authorised receiver rather than the data transport method. There is a JSON example defined for the purpose of clarity. The decision for the transport method would be defined on a specific use basis. Such as reporting to MSA or to AUS-MEAT

The “Objective Measurement Metadata” file specification standard has been prepared using a flexible model to support any objective measurement technologies and any measurements that may be recorded. This approach ensures that the one file specification standard supports all the current known objective measurement technologies and measurements as well as any future technologies and measurements as they come into existence. The use of an “Objective Measurement Metadata” file specification standard supports the wider industry program needs outside of the MSA program. The “Objective Measurement Metadata” file specification standard can be used by AUS-MEAT as part of a compliance monitoring program as well as industry statistical volume usage reporting showing the industry uptake of objective measurement technologies.

The use of an "Objective Measurement Metadata" file specification standard lowers the costs to processors as they only need one standard file specification for any objective measurement technologies they use and it lowers the cost to technology developers as it provided certainty on what is required for them to do to meet the compliance needs of industry.

The Plant objective measurement technology metadata standard usage includes:

• Data source for uploading to the MSA system for audit and reporting.
• Data source for uploading to AUS-MEAT for audit and reporting.
• Data source for uploading to 3rd parties authorised to receive the data.
• Industry research projects involving analysis of objective measurement technology usage.

The Plant objective measurement technology metadata standard covers the data to be collected by plants when using objective measurement technology at the following stages:

• Slaughter data collection at the time of knocking through to carcase ticketing.
• Post slaughter carcase ticketing data collection through to entry into the chiller.
• Chiller assessment data collection.
• Post chiller data collection through to boning activities.

This standard does not define the objective measurement technology measurement activities or processors.

This standard only define the objective measurement technology information related to:

• What AUS-MEAT, MSA or industry measurements were recorded.
• What objective measurement technology was used.
• The hardware, firmware and software versions for the objective measurement technology for each measurement.
• The location, date, time and operator related to recording the measurement.
• The final measured result indicating if the operator recorded a different value than the value provided by the objective measurement technology.

The attributes defined in the Plant objective measurement technology metadata standard are grouped by function, with references related to those functions.

Industry primary entity identification attributes (processing plants, business, properties, operators, livestock owners):

• Australian Business Number ABN Lookup
• AUS-MEAT Accreditation AUS-MEAT Accreditation Search
• Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) Livestock Production Assurance (LPA)
• GS1 Company Identification GS1
• MSA identification MSA Standards
• State Government issued identification

Industry measurements:

• AUS-MEAT Industry Standards AUS-MEAT Industry Standards
• MSA Standards MSA Standards
• GS1 Standards GS1
• Trade Measurements (eg legal trade weights) Australian Federal Government

Animal or item identification:

• Integrity Systems Company Animal Identification Standards
• MSA Standards MSA Standards
• GS1 Standards GS1

Structure of the Objective Measurement Technology Metadata Standard

The technical structure of the Plant Objective Measurement Technology Metadata is defined to report on individual animal records. An individual animal key is comprised of the processing plant identification, kill date, chain number and body number. This combination of keys cannot repeat in a dataset. How individual systems manage the reuse of the individual animal key combination in different data payloads is not defined within this standard. However suitable business process functions need to be implemented to manage these occurrences.

The data elements of the standard have the usage defined as:

1. Mandatory - The data element must have data provided as specified.
2. Recommended - The data element is not mandatory, but it is recommended to be provided if it is collected.
3. Optional - The data element is not mandatory but would be included based on commercial considerations.
4. Conditional (Mandatory) - The data element must be supplied if the data element is collected or required for a specified purpose. An example is when the data payload is used for the purpose of the MSA grading app.
5. Conditional (Recommended) - The element is not mandatory, but it is recommended to be provided if it is conditionally collected.
6. Conditional (Optional) - The data element would be included based on commercial considerations if it is conditionally collected.

The data set type and the version are included in the technical structure of the Plant Objective Measurement Technology Metadata Standard. A change history is maintained for each data set type.

Details on the individual data element for the Plant Objective Measurement Technology Metadata Standard can be found here: Specifications for Plant Objective Measurement Technology Metadata Standard

Case Sensitivity

Many data importing systems are case sensitive for attribute names and data values. Case sensitivity should be taken into consideration for any data exporting, data transport and data importing systems.

The Plant Objective Measurement Technology Metadata Standard has a status of 'D' Draft - Awaiting industry consultation and feedback. The standard is in use by industry for the purpose of testing the suitability and robustness of the current draft Plant Objective Measurement Technology Metadata Standard.

Comments and feedback on the draft are sort from industry. This includes any requests for any enhancements or changes. Any submitted comments, feedback or change requests are reviewed by the Work Group following the RMSCC Core Principles and the RMSCC Standards Development model. To submit comments, feedback or change requests click on this link: RMSCC Feedback and Change Requests.

Additional information is available from:

• GS1 Australia
• GS1 Global
• Integrity Systems Company
• AUS-MEAT
• MSA