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Defining
USDA cattle grades |
Source:
University of Nebraska, Neb Guide
G82-590-A
The purpose of the USDA Feeder Cattle Grades is to sort
feeder cattle into similar groups that will facilitate their
selling and buying. These grades can also be used for
sorting feeder cattle into similar outcome groups in a
feedlot. Differences in frame size and muscle thickness
score are the basis for the USDA Feeder Cattle Grades.
Feeder cattle are given a grade score that is coded for
both frame size (large, medium and small) and thickness (1,
2 and 3). For example, a large frame, thick feeder steer
would have a feeder grade of "L-1," indicating a
large frame, number 1 muscle thickness. Feeder grades
consisting of frame size and thickness will only apply to
normal, healthy animals. The grade "Inferior" will
be used for cattle that are not expected to perform normally
in their present state. Examples of "Inferior"
grade would be feeder cattle that are unthrifty because of
mismanagement, disease, parasitism, lack of feed or
"double-muscled" cattle.
Frame
size refers to the animal's skeletal size--its height and
body length in relation to its age. Frame size is highly
correlated with the live weight at which an animal will
produce a carcass of a given degree of fatness or quality
grade. Frame size relates to the slaughter weight to which
an animal must be fed before it will attain U.S. Choice
grade. Generally, the larger the frame size, the longer the
feeding period and the greater the live weight necessary to
grade U.S. Choice. However, a higher rate of gain may be
achieved from the larger frame cattle.
- Large frame (L)
- Large frame feeder cattle have large skeletons and are
tall and long bodied for their age. Large frame feeder
steers and heifers would generally produce a U.S. Choice
grade carcass (usually 0.5 inch of fat at the 12th rib)
at about 1,200 pounds or more for steers and about 1,000
pounds or more for heifers.
- Medium frame (M)
- Medium frame feeder cattle have slightly large frames
and are slightly long bodied for their age. At about 0.5
inch of fat cover, medium frame steers would weigh
between 1,000 and 1,200 pounds and heifers between 850
and 1,000 pounds.
- Small frame (S)
- Small frame feeder cattle are shorter bodied and
shorter in height than medium frame feeder cattle. When
at about 0.5 inch external fat cover (approximately U.S.
Choice grade), small frame steers generally weigh less
than 1,000 pounds and small frame heifers will finish at
less than 850 pounds.
Thickness
indicates the muscle to bone ratio and the ribeye size of
the cattle. Feeder cattle grade standards assume a constant
fat thickness in evaluating thickness of feeder cattle. When
feeder cattle of similar age and frame score are fed to the
sane degree of fatness, thicker feeder cattle will have a
higher ratio of muscle to bone and a more desirable yield
grade. Degree of thickness is designated by the numbers 1,
2 and 3, with 1 being most desirable.
- Thickness No. 1
- These cattle are thrifty and slightly thick
throughout. They are slightly wide through their chest,
and slightly thick and full through the back and loin.
The rounds and forearms are also slightly thick. Number
1 thickness cattle have their legs set widely apart and
usually show a high proportion of beef breeding.
"Double muscled" cattle are not eligible for
this grade--they would be graded U.S. Inferior.
- Thickness No. 2
- These cattle are narrower throughout. They are
narrower through their chest, over the back and loin and
through the rounds, and their legs are generally set
close together.
- Thickness No. 3
- Feeder cattle included in the No. 3 grade are thrifty
animals that have less thickness than the minimum
requirements specified for the No. 2 grade.
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