USDA Quality and Yield Grades Established in 1927 Sets standards of quality and cutability (yield of edible meat) Assures products that conform to standards of palatability Administered by USDA Paid for by meat packers

USDA Quality and Yield Grades Quality Grades Determinants: marbling (intramuscular fat), maturity, texture, appearance Eight Quality Grades: Prime, Choice, Select, Standard, Commercial, Utility, Cutter, Canner IMPS Numbering System: align to meat product specifications to facilitate industry trade and clarification; provides number ID and standard descriptions

A 1,300-pound, Yield Grade 3 steer yields 639 pounds of retail cuts from an 806-pound carcass. Of the retail cuts, 62% are roasts and steaks (396 pounds) and 38% are ground beef and stew meat (243 pounds).

The Chuck primal comprises 233 The Chuck primal comprises 233.7 pounds, or 29%, of the 806-pound carcass. Of the 233.7 pounds, 198.7 pounds are fabricated into retail cuts while 35 pounds go to fat/bone loss.

Some Popular Chuck Cuts Chuck (233.7 pounds) Subprimal Pounds Chuck Roll 2 x 2 37.9 Under Blade, Edge Roast 7.0 Chuck Short Ribs 2.8 Chuck Tender (Mock Tender) 6.3 Clod Top Blade 10.3 Clod Heart 14.7 Clod Teres Major 2.1 Stewing/ Ground Beef Trim 117.6 Fat/Bone Loss 35.0 Some Popular Chuck Cuts Chuck Roll – Chuck Eye Steak, Boneless Country-Style Ribs, Under Blade Pot Roast & Steak Clod Top Blade – Top Blade Steak, Flat Iron Steak Clod Teres Major – Shoulder Petite Tender, Petite Tender Medallions Clod Heart – Shoulder Center Roast and Steak

The Rib primal comprises 72. 5 pounds, or 9%, of the 806-pound carcass The Rib primal comprises 72.5 pounds, or 9%, of the 806-pound carcass. Of the 72.5 pounds, 63.2 pounds are fabricated into retail cuts while 9.3 pounds go to fat/bone loss.

Rib (72.5 pounds) Some Popular Rib Cuts Subprimal Pounds Ribeye Roll 2 x 2 27.2 Peeled Cap 6.7 Rib, Blade Meat 9.3 Short Ribs 8.7 Stewing/ Ground Beef Trim 11.3 Fat/Bone Loss 9.3 Some Popular Rib Cuts Ribeye Roll 2x2 – Ribeye Roast (Bone-in and Boneless), Ribeye Steak (Bone-in and Boneless), Ribeye Petite Roast, Ribeye Filet Peeled Cap – Ribeye Cap Steak (Boneless) Short Ribs – Rib Short Ribs, (Bone-In and Boneless)

The Loin primal comprises 129 pounds, or 16%, of the 806-pound carcass The Loin primal comprises 129 pounds, or 16%, of the 806-pound carcass. Of the 129 pounds, 99.5 pounds are fabricated into retail cuts while 29.5 pounds go to fat/bone loss.

Loin (129 pounds) Subprimal Pounds Peeled Tenderloin 11.9 Strip Loin, Boneless 24.9 Top Butt, Cap Off 17.0 Top Butt, Cap 3.8 Ball Tip 5.0 Subprimal Pounds Tri-Tip 8.8 Bottom Sirloin Flap 8.0 Stewing/Ground Beef Trim 20.1 Fat/Bone Loss 29.5

Some Popular Loin Cuts Peeled Tenderloin – Ribeye Roast (Bone-in and Boneless), Ribeye Steak (Bone-in and Boneless), Ribeye Petite Roast, Ribeye Filet Strip Loin Boneless – Top Loin Roast and Steak, Porterhouse and T-Bone Steaks (come from Short Loin) Top Butt, Cap Off – Top Sirloin Petite Roast and Filet, Shell Sirloin Roast and Steak, Sirloin Roast and Steak Ball Tip – Ball Tip Roast and Steak Tri-Tip – Tri-Tip Roast and Steak

The Round primal comprises 177 The Round primal comprises 177.3 pounds, or 22%, of the 806-pound carcass. Of the 177.3 pounds, 140.9 pounds are fabricated into retail cuts while 36.4 pounds go to fat/bone loss.

Some Popular Round Cuts Round (177.3 pounds) Subprimal Pounds Sirloin Tip (Knuckle) 25.5 Top Round 48.2 Gooseneck 64.3 Stewing/Ground Beef Trim 2.9 Fat/Bone Loss 36.4 Some Popular Round Cuts Sirloin Tip Knuckle – Roast and Steak Top Round – Roast and Steak Bottom Round – Bottom Round Roast and Steak, Bottom Round Rump Roast, Western Tip, Western Griller, Eye of Round Roast and Steak

The thin cuts from the Brisket, Flank and Plate comprise 153 The thin cuts from the Brisket, Flank and Plate comprise 153.1 pounds, or 19%, of the 806-pound carcass. Of the 153.1 pounds, 130.4 pounds are fabricated into retail cuts while 22.7 pounds go to fat/bone loss.

Thin Cuts (153.1 pounds) Some Popular Thin Cuts Subprimal Pounds Flank 4.3 Plate – Outside Skirt 3.4 Plate – Inside Skirt 6.2 Brisket 26.4 Stewing/Ground Beef Trim 90.1 Fat/Bone Loss 22.7 Some Popular Thin Cuts Flank – Flank Steak Plate – Outside Skirt, Inside Skirt Brisket – Brisket (Boneless)

The miscellaneous category comprises 40 The miscellaneous category comprises 40.3 pounds, or 5%, of the 806-pound carcass.

Miscellaneous (40.3 pounds) Subprimal Pounds Variety - Kidney 3.8 Loin – Hanging Tender 2.2 Breaking Fat 34.3

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