Meat Evaluation: Beef Quality Grading

Why is quality grading important to the industry?

What is beef quality grading?

• Beef quality grading is the process of sorting animals into palatability groups based on tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and marbling.

• Beef quality grading is the process of determining the weight of beef carcasses.

• Beef quality grading is the process of labeling beef products for export only.

• Beef quality grading is the process of measuring the fat content in beef using laboratory tests.

What are the beef quality grades?

• The beef quality grades are USDA Prime, Choice, Select, Low Choice, and Top Choice.

• The beef quality grades are USDA Extra, Premium, Standard, and Basic.

• The beef quality grades are USDA Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Copper.

• The beef quality grades are USDA Supreme, Deluxe, Regular, and Economy.

What is beef maturity?

• The age of the animal at slaughter

• The weight of the beef cut

• The color of the beef

• The breed of the animal

The maturities for beef carcasses are:

• A, B, C, D, E

• Prime, Choice, Select, Standard, Commercial

• Young, Mature, Old, Very Old

• Light, Medium, Heavy, Extra Heavy

Which of the following is NOT a USDA quality grade?

• USDA Prime

• USDA Choice

• USDA Select

• USDA Premium

USDA Prime is the highest and USDA Standard is the lowest grades given to ______ cattle.

• young

• old

• dairy

• imported

How many USDA quality grades are there?

• 5

• 6

• 8

• 10

A maturity carcasses range from ______ to ______ months.

• nine to 30

• five to 15

• twelve to 40

• three to 10

B maturity carcasses range from ______ to ______ months.

• 30 to 42

• 20 to 30

• 42 to 54

• 12 to 24