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Understanding USDA Feeder Cattle Grading Standards

Learn about USDA feeder cattle grading standards, factors influencing grade determination, muscle thickness scores, and frame sizes to make informed decisions. Explore different breeds and factors affecting cattle value.

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Understanding USDA Feeder Cattle Grading Standards

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  1. USDA/MRP/AMS

  2. Feeder Cattle Grading USDA/MRP/AMS

  3. USDA/MRP/AMS

  4. Amerifax Angus Ankina Barzona Beef Friesian Beefmaster Belgian Blue Belted Galloway Blonde d’ Aquitaine Braford Brahman Bramousin Brangus Brown Swiss North American Beef Breeds 70-80 (World Wide >200) Charbray Charolais Chianina Devon Dexter Galloway Gascon Gelbvieh Hays Converter Hereford Illamarra Limousin Lincoln Red Longhorn Luing Maine-Anjou Marchigiana Milking Shorthorn Murray Grey Normande Norwegian Red Parthenais Piedmontese Pinzgauer Polled Hereford Red Angus Red Brangus Red Poll Romagnola Salers Santa Gertrudis Scotch Highlander Senepol Shorthorn Simbrah Simmental South Devon Tarentaise Watusi Welsh Black White Park Zebu USDA/MRP/AMS

  5. Feeder Cattle Standards are – Common trade language between buyers and sellers USDA/MRP/AMS

  6. Feeder Cattle Standards are – • A tool for penning cattle @ officially graded sales (commingled ownership) • Used to certify feeder cattle grades for futures contracts USDA/MRP/AMS

  7. Feeder Cattle Standards are – • Basis for federal-state livestock market news reporting USDA/MRP/AMS

  8. U.S. Standards for Feeder Cattle • OCTOBER 1, 2000 • Previous Standards September, 1979 & 1964 • www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/stand/st-pub (Select Official US Standards for Grades) USDA/MRP/AMS

  9. Feeder CattleValue Determining Factors • Background • Color • Fill • Horns • Personal Preference • Vaccinations • Breed • Condition/Flesh • Frame • Muscling • Sex • Weight USDA/MRP/AMS

  10. Feeder CattleValue Determining Factors • Condition/Flesh • Thriftiness • Weight Change! Therefore, are not a sound basis for grade standards USDA/MRP/AMS

  11. Feeder CattleValue Determining Factors • Sex An inappropriate factor since most feeder cattle are sorted by sex BEFORE the sale USDA/MRP/AMS

  12. USDA Feeder Cattle Grades • Frame • Muscling USDA/MRP/AMS

  13. USDA Feeder Cattle GradesFrame Size Relates to finished weight – given degree of fatness to grade Choice Skeletal size (height & length) in relation to age USDA/MRP/AMS

  14. USDA Feeder Cattle GradesMuscle Thickness Score October 2000 US No. 1 (moderately thick) US No. 2 (TTB slightly thick) US No. 3 (Thin) US No. 4 Relates to muscle to bone ratio at a given degree of fatness and hence yield grade USDA/MRP/AMS

  15. USDA Feeder Cattle GradesFrame Size Large Medium Small USDA/MRP/AMS

  16. USDA Feeder Cattle GradesFrame Size - Large Tall and long bodied ½ inch fat Steers over 1250 lbs. Heifers over 1150 lbs. USDA/MRP/AMS

  17. USDA Feeder Cattle GradesFrame Size - Medium Slightly tall Slightly long bodied ½ inch fat Steers 1100 to 1250 lbs. Heifers 1000 to 1150 lbs. USDA/MRP/AMS

  18. USDA Feeder Cattle GradesFrame Size - Small Not as tall as Medium Short bodied ½ inch fat Steers less than 1100 lbs. Heifers less than 1000 lbs. USDA/MRP/AMS

  19. USDA/MRP/AMS

  20. USDA/MRP/AMS

  21. USDA/MRP/AMS

  22. USDA/MRP/AMS

  23. USDA Feeder Cattle GradesFrame Size – Relative to maturity • Length of tail • Coarseness of hair in switch • Width of muzzle • Coarseness of hair on poll • Size of feet, ears, base of horns, etc. USDA/MRP/AMS

  24. Jorgenson’s Muscling Theory USDA/MRP/AMS

  25. USDA Feeder Cattle GradesMuscle Thickness Scores No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 USDA/MRP/AMS

  26. USDA Feeder Cattle GradesMuscle Thickness Scores – No. 1 Moderately thick throughout Predominate beef breeding USDA/MRP/AMS

  27. USDA Feeder Cattle GradesMuscle Thickness Scores – No. 2 Slightly thick throughout High proportion beef breeding/Slight dairy breeding USDA/MRP/AMS

  28. USDA Feeder Cattle GradesMuscle Thickness Scores – No. 3 Thin throughout Legs are set close together USDA/MRP/AMS

  29. USDA Feeder Cattle GradesMuscle Thickness Scores – No. 4 Less thickness than No. 3 USDA/MRP/AMS

  30. USDA/MRP/AMS

  31. USDA Feeder Cattle GradesInferior • Mismanagement • Disease • Parasitism Any condition that must be corrected before the animal can perform normally! • Double muscled animals USDA/MRP/AMS

  32. USDA/MRP/AMS

  33. USDA/MRP/AMS

  34. USDA/MRP/AMS

  35. USDA Feeder Cattle GradesA Communication Tool USDA Grade PLUS • Weight & Sex • Comments • Condition/Flesh • Breed characteristics • Special sales Pre-Vac, Weaned, Conditioned USDA/MRP/AMS

  36. USDA/MRP/AMS

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