Usda Marbling Chart

A carcass in yield grade 1 usually has only a thin layer of external fat over the ribs loins rumps and clods and slight deposits of fat in the flanks and cod or udder.

Usda marbling chart.

You ve heard of prime choice and select grades and prime tops the grading scale. Due to the abnormally high level of marbling that exists in this beef breed it often exceeds the top usda grade prime and therefore it is difficult to grade those high end carcasses. Usda prime beef has the highest marbling score or fat content followed by usda choice. Graders evaluate the amount and distribution of marbling in the ribeye muscle at the cut surface after the carcass has been ribbed between the 12th and 13th ribs.

The beef grading system developed by the united states department of agriculture is a voluntary grading system based on the meat s maturity and level of fat marbling these two factors are indicators of the beef s tenderness. The usda grade shields are highly regarded as symbols of high quality american beef. The agency has the distinction of being known as the fact finders of u s. Usda beef quality and yield grades courtesy of texas a m.

Marbling intramuscular fat is the intermingling or dispersion of fat within the lean. Quality grades are widely used as a language within the beef industry making business transactions easier and providing a vital link to support rural america. From agricultural prices to land in farms. Beef grading fact sheet pdf courtesy of the amercian meat science association.

Agriculture due to the abundance of. There is usually a very thin layer of fat over the outside of the rounds and over the tops of the shoulders and necks. Department of agriculture usda and is graded for quality and consistency. Usda select has only slight marbling.

From calves born to hogs slaughtered. Marbling plays a big role in quality grades. The correlation is usually around 70 to 80 between the two measures. Nass publications cover a wide range of subjects from traditional crops such as corn and wheat to specialties such as mushrooms and flowers.

Beef that is given a higher grade is usually from younger cattle and has more fat marbling. Degree of marbling is the primary determination of quality grade. And marbling is that imf is a numeric objective measure whereas marbling is subjective to the eye of the grader. In order to accurately predict usda marbling score using ultrasound the same grader would need to be used for every research trial.