The American Meat Science Association (AMSA) Reciprocal Meat Conference (RMC) planning committee is honored to announce Dr. Robyn Warner, Senior Principal Research Scientist for CSIRO Animal, Food and Health Sciences, as the recipient of the 2014 International Lectureship Award, sponsored by DuPont Nutrition & Health.  Dr. Warner will address RMC attendees during the International Lecture Address on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 with a unique look at “Reducinghigh rigor temperature in carcasses – towards a sustainable meat industry."

In her current role at CSIRO Dr. Warner applies her meat science and muscle biochemistry training to problems confronting the meat industry. During her presentation at the AMSA 67^th RMC she will discuss how muscle metabolism resulting in high rigor temperature has an influence on quality traits and on protein and nutrient wastage.  This concept has been extensively studied in pork, and is referred to as PSE, but also occurs in beef, lamb, venison and poultry. Her presentation will show how on-farm feeding and slaughter practices have resulted in an increase in high rigor temperature in beef carcasses and some causative factors have been identified.   Reducing the occurrence of high rigor temperature in meat carcasses is important in the development of a sustainable meat industry.

Dr. Warner is assisting CSIRO to develop a strategy for them to develop a thorough chain approach to ensuring a sustainable meat industry.  Robyn has expertise in managing national projects investigating on-farm, pre-slaughter and post-slaughter influences on meat quality and yield.  These projects have included industry relevant nutritional and pre-slaughter interventions, modifications to the slaughter-floor management of the carcass, packaging interventions, consumer sensory perceptions as well as fundamental investigations of the biology biochemistry and biophysics of muscle in determining tenderness, color, flavor and shelf-life. 

Dr. Warner has 70 papers in refereed journals, 13 book chapters, and papers in over 100 conference proceedings. Robyn Warner is Australia’s contact person for the Annual International Congress of Meat Science and Technology and has served on the research and development team for Meat and Livestock Australia’s Meat Standards Australia National Eating Quality Assurance Program for Beef and Lamb since its inception in 1995.

For more information regarding the AMSA 67^th RMC please visit: http://www.meatscience.org/rmcor contact Deidrea Mabry 1-800-517-AMSA ext. 12 or dmabry@meatscience.org.

Source: AMSA