Fall 2020 Webinar Series- Part III

December 8, 2020
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www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/beef/cattle-carcass-training-centers
Dr. Ty Lawrence

Director, Beef Carcass Research Center at 

West Texas A&M University

Slaughter Cattle 

Evaluation
Growth curve of bone, muscle, fat

Muscle growth increases at a 

decreasing rate

Fat growth increases at an 

increasing rate

Bone growth is constant and 

proportional to live weight

Relationship Between Live Animal Growth and

increase of Muscle, Fat and Bone Mass

Live Weight

1564.00

1444.00

1324.00

1203.00

1083.00

963.00

843.00

722.00

602.00

482.00

362.00

242.00

Mass of Muscle, Fat and Bone

800

600

400

200

0

MUSCLE

FAT

BONE

Owens et al. (1995)
Principles of live cattle evaluation

Estimation of carcass characteristics

• Dressed yield

• Fill, Muscle, Fat, Genetic type, Pregnancy

• Yield grade

• Carcass weight

• Fat thickness

• Ribeye area

• Kidney, Pelvic, and Heart Fat (KPH)

• Quality grade

• Marbling

• Maturity
Dressed Carcass Yield

(Carcass weight ÷ Live weight) x 100

• Example: 

• (828 lb carcass ÷ 1300 lb live animal) x 100 = 63.7% 

• Also known as carcass yield, dress, dressing percentage

• Normal range of 55 – 70%

• Current national average = 63.24%
Dressed Carcass Yield

DP influenced by:

1. Amount of fill

– More GI tract contents at slaughter = lower dressing percent

– Less GI tract contents at slaughter = higher dressing percent

2. Degree of muscling

– Light muscled cattle = lower dressing percent

– Heavy muscled cattle = higher dressing percent

3. Hide weight

– Heavy hided cattle (Brahman) = lower dressing percent

– Light hided cattle (Dairy) = higher dressing percent

4. Degree of finish (FATNESS)

– Extremely fat cattle have a higher dressing percent than extremely lean cattle
Which factor has the greatest influence 

on dressed carcass yield?

A Fatness

B Fill

C Hide weight

D Muscling
Yield Grading

Hot Carcass Weight

• Weight of the freshly dressed carcass immediately prior to chilling

Fat Thickness

• Linear measure of backfat 

Rib eye Area

• Cross-section area of longissimus muscle

Estimated % of Kidney Pelvic and Heart Fat

• Subjective evaluation of weight of internal fat in relation to carcass weight

YG

1

YG

2

YG

3

YG

4

YG

5
Which component of the yield grade has 

the greatest influence on final yield grade?

A Estimated % kidney-pelvic-heart fat

B 12th rib fat thickness

C Hot carcass weight

D Ribeye area
Fat thickness

Estimation of backfat over the 12th rib

• Normal range of 0.12 to 1.0 inches

• As fat thickness increases, numerical yield 

grade increases, but cutability and retail 

yield decreases
Subcutaneous fat deposition - exponential

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0 50 100 150 200 250

Backfat, mm

Days on Feed

Initial 2mm

Initial 4mm

Brethour, 2000
Ribeye area

• Cross-section area of the longissimus muscle at the 

12th rib

• Normal range of 10.0 to 18.0 square inches 

• As ribeye area increases, numerical 

yield grade decreases, but cutability 

and retail yield increase

• Heifer will have ~1.0 in2 less REA 

than steers

• Light muscled cattle

• Estimate ~ 0.9 in2./100 lb. of live weight

• Average muscled cattle

• Estimate ~ 1.1 in2./100 lb. of live weight

• Heavy muscled cattle

• Estimate ~ 1.3 in2./100 lb. of live weight
Kidney, Pelvic, and Heart Fat 

(KPH)

Expressed as percentage of HCW:

• (1) kidney, (2) kidney fat, (3) pelvic fat, (4) heart 

fat

• Normal range 1.0% to 4.5%

• As KPH increases, numerical yield grade increases, but 

cutability and retail yield decrease

• Estimate 0.5% for every 0.1 inch of backfat thickness

• Heifers have ~1.0% more than steers

• Small framed cattle have ~1.0% more

• Large framed cattle have ~1.0% less

• Dairy type cattle have ~1.5-6.0% more
Which finished steer would you expect to 

have the greatest percentage of KPH?

A Braford

B Charolais x Angus

C Hereford

D Jersey
Adopted from: R.E. Taylor. Scientific Farm Animal Production. 4th Ed. 1992.

Y

G 

5

Y

G 

2
Y

G 

2

Y

G 

5

Adopted from: R.E. Taylor. Scientific Farm Animal Production. 4th Ed. 1992.
Y

G 

2

Y

G 

5

Adopted from: R.E. Taylor. Scientific Farm Animal Production. 4th Ed. 1992.
Y

G 

2

Y

G 

5

Adopted from: R.E. Taylor. Scientific Farm Animal Production. 4th Ed. 1992.
Adopted from: Mulvaney, D.R. 1991. How Growth Affects Composition. Pages 55-92 in Proc. 21st Century Concepts Important to Meat-Animal 

Eval. University of Wisconsin. Madison, WI. 
YG 1
YG 2
YG 3
YG 4
YG 5
Quality Grading

• Marbling

• subjective evaluation of the quantity of intramuscular fat in the longissimus muscle between the 

12th and 13th ribs

• Maturity

• primarily a subjective evaluation of the extent of ossification (conversion of cartilage to bone) of the 

vertebral column

PRIME CHOICE SELECT NO ROLL

PREMIUM 

CHOICE

Garcia et al. 2008
Which quality grade occurs in lowest 

quantity?

A Choice

B Prime

C Select

D Standard
Intramuscular fat deposition – power curve

Brethour, 2000

0 100 200 300 400

Days on Feed

Traces 50

Slight 00

Slight 50

Small 00

Small 50

Modest 00

Modest 50
<25% EBF

USDA Standard
25% EBF

USDA Select
28.6% EBF

USDA Choice
37% EBF

USDA Prime
MUSCLE 

AND 

FAT 

ARE ANTAGONISTS
Distribution matrix of USDA 

QG x YG - 2019

Prime Choice Select Standard Commercial Utility

YG 1 0.06 2.20 2.68 0.00 0.00 0.00

YG 2 1.27 22.49 9.75 0.00 0.01 0.14

YG 3 5.20 37.09 5.49 0.01 0.04 0.36

YG 4 2.02 8.46 0.65 0.00 0.04 0.17

YG 5 0.51 1.22 0.08 0.00 0.01 0.04

Cumulative = 100%

Market Steer Evaluation Practice
Live 

weight = 

1257 lbs.
880 HCW

69.9% Dress

Standard

YG 0.5

EBF 22.0%

19.2
Live 

weight 

= 

1162 lbs.
753 HCW

64.8% Dress

Select

YG 3.2

EBF 28.4%
Live 

weight 

= 

1094 lbs.li
715 HCW

65.3% Dress

Choice

YG 3.7

EBF 32.1%
Live 

weight = 

1315 lbs.
827 HCW

62.8% Dress

Choice -

YG 4.2

EBF 34.1%
Live 

weight = 

1300 lbs.
Which is the quality and yield grade of 

this steer?

A Choice – 1.9

B Prime – 3.9

C Select – 2.4

D Standard – 1.5
•HCW = 825

•Dress = 66.1%

•QG = Choice-

•YG = 1.9

•EBF = 26.1%
Live 

weight = 

1600 lbs.
Which is the quality and yield grade of 

this steer?

A Choice – 3.9

B Prime – 4.2

C Select – 2.8

D Standard – 3.5
•HCW = 992

•Dress = 64.6%

•QG = Choice+

•YG = 3.9

•EBF = 35.2%
Live 

weight = 

1680 lbs.
Which is the quality and yield grade of 

this steer?

A Choice – 4.4

B Prime – 5.6

C Select – 3.8

D Standard – 3.7
•HCW = 1048

•Dress = 65.0%

•QG = Choice-

•YG = 4.4

•EBF = 35.5%
Live Cattle Videos
Lot 5019

In weight DOF ADG Shrunk Out Weight

773 137 3.61 1264
Which is the quality and yield grade of 

this steer?

A Choice – 2.9

B Prime – 3.2

C Select – 2.0

D Standard – 1.9
• HCW = 819

• Dress = 64.8%

• QG = Select-

• YG = 2.0

• EBF = 25.5%
Lot 4828

In weight DOF ADG Shrunk Out Weight

356 280 3.08 1112
Which is the quality and yield grade of 

this steer?

A Choice – 2.5

B Prime – 3.2

C Select – 2.9

D Standard – 1.7
• HCW = 697

• Dress = 62.7%

• QG = Select-

• YG = 2.9

• EBF = 24.7%
Lot 5016

In weight DOF ADG Shrunk Out Weight

874 140 3.33 1473
Which is the quality and yield grade of 

this steer?

A Choice – 3.6

B Prime – 5.2

C Select – 2.8

D Standard – 2.4
• HCW = 933

• Dress = 63.3%

• QG = Choice 0

• YG = 3.6

• EBF = 32.9%
Lot 4708

In weight DOF ADG Shrunk Out Weight

677 337 2.20 1292
Which is the quality and yield grade of 

this steer?

A Choice – 3.4

B Prime – 5.8

C Select – 4.1

D Standard – 2.5
• HCW = 898

• Dress = 69.5%

• QG = Prime -

• YG = 5.8

• EBF = 39.5%
Jodie Pitcock

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service

Livestock and Poultry Program, Market News Division

Jodie.Pitcock@usda.gov

Chicago Mercantile 

Exchange (CME) Live 

Deliveries
USDA’s Responsibility

Unbiased Third 

Party

Apply USDA Live 

Slaughter Cattle 

Grade Standards

Certify Contract 

Specifications
Terms

• Delivery Point – Location where the delivery process will 

occur.

• Long – Created an open position, owns the cash 

commodity, willing to take possession.

• Short – Sold an open position, entered contract as a 

seller, has possession of the commodity.

• Specifications – outlines the criteria of the contract.
Who determines if a contract will be delivered on a 

live or carcass basis?

A The Long

B The Short

C USDA

D CME
Who determines if a contract will be delivered on a 

live or carcass basis?

A The Long

B The Short

C USDA

D CME
Live Delivery Locations

• Sterling, CO

• Wray, CO

• Worthing, SD

• Burwell, NE

• Kearney, NE

• Lexington, NE

• Ogallala, NE

• West Point, NE

• Syracuse, KS

• Dodge City, KS

• Dalhart, TX

• Tulia, TX

• Amarillo, TX

• Texhoma, OK

• Clovis, NM
Who determines which Delivery Location the live 

contract will be delivered to?

A The Long

B The Short

C USDA

D CME
Who determines which Delivery Location the live 

contract will be delivered to?

A The Long

B The Short

C USDA

D CME
Live 

Contract 

Specification
Live Contract Specification

• Par Delivery Unit: 65% Choice, 35% Select, Yield Grade 3 

(through Dec 2020) 

o 40,000 pounds (variation between 38,000 and 42,000 pounds)

• USDA Grading Standards for Live Cattle

• Born/Raised exclusively in the United States

o Sellers must sign Exchange Affidavit

 Part of the Certificate of Delivery

 Must always accompany the Certificate
Live Contract Specification

• Weight

o Steers

 1,050 to 1,550 pounds. Cattle over 

1,500 up to 1,550 receive a weight 

discount.

 Feb. 2021. 1,050 to 1,600 pounds, 

with cattle over 1,550 up to 1,600 

receiving a discount.

o Heifers

 1,050 to 1,350 pounds.
Live Contract Specification

• All cattle shall be HEALTHY.

• Unmerchantable cattle are NOT allowed: 

crippled, sick or bruised.

• No predominance of dairy breeding or 

prominent humps.

• Heiferettes, cows or bred heifer are NOT 

allowed.

• Dressing Percent greater than 60% –

Applied to the load.
Live Contract Specification 

- Arrival

•Delivered to approved Delivery 

Point

•Confined in a secured pen by 

9:00AM

•Can the “Certification Process” 

occur prior to 9:00AM?

•Is Feed and Water allowed?
Certification Process

• The Short must ensure 

cattle are penned, sorted 

and ready.

• The Delivery Point usually 

represents the Short.

• Cattle are presented in 

groups of 3 to 5 head.
Live Contract Specification –

Grading Process

USDA Grader:

• Determines that animals are in good 

condition (Healthy).

• Determines contract specification for 

health, age, physical conditions and 

weight are met.

• Applies USDA Live Quality and Yield 

Grade Standards.

• Calculates the Estimated Dressing 

Percent of the lot.
Live Contract 

Specification –

Grading Card
Live Contract Specification 

– Dressing Percent

• Par is 63%

• Greater than 60% acceptable

• Factors that affect Dressing 

Percent:

• Muscling and Fat Cover

• Breed, Gender, Diet and Seasonal

• Fill

• MUD
Live Contract Specification 

– Weighing

• Lots must weigh between 38,000 to 

42,000 pounds.

• Load can be weighed as a split load, 

if the scale size at Delivery Point will 

not handle a full load.

• Number of animals in each load can 

vary from 26 to 32 head.

• Load must be weighed within one hour 

of grading.
Live Contract Specification – Change of Ownership

• After each lot is weighed, they go to a “sealed pen".

• USDA submits grading results electronically to CME on a Certificate.

• CME Clearinghouse changes livestock ownership to the Long.

• Lot is released by CME to be loaded on the Long’s truck.

• Certification Process is complete.
Live Contract Specification – Rejected

If a load is rejected?

• It is the Short’s responsibility to work out an alternative with CME.

• USDA has no control at this point.

• CME will contact USDA once a solution have been resolved.
Live Contract Specification – USDA Rights

• If the Short fails to present suitable cattle, they are subject to a fine.

• If the Short presents a load that is not properly sorted and unnecessarily 

slows down the grading process- they are subject to a fine.

• If the Long or their agent delays, disrupts, or interferes with the deliverythey are subject to a penalty.

• In Summary: Bring deliverable cattle and let USDA do their job.
Live Contract 

Specification –

Accept or Reject?
Reject –

Due to weight.
Live Contract 

Specification –

Accept or 

Reject?
Accept
Live Contract 

Specification –

Accept or 

Reject?
Reject –

Due to belly 

rupture.
Live Contract 

Specification –

Accept or 

Reject?
Reject –

Hump
Live Contract 

Specification –

Accept or 

Reject?
Accept
Accept
Live Contract Specification – Settlement

• National Boxed Beef Cutout – Negotiated Sales

• https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/ams_2453.pdf

• USDA By-Product Drop Value

• https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/nw_ls447.txt

• 5-Area Weekly Weighted Average Direct Slaughter Cattle – Premium and 

Discounts

• https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/lm_ct169.txt
My Market News – Public Data 

• My Market News

• https://mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov/

• Market Analysis & Reporting Services (MARS)

• Public Data

• Standard Report Format

• Application Programming Interface (API)
Thank you for Participating

For more information on this webinar series and the 

USDA Cattle and Carcass Training Centers, visit: 

www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/beef/cattle-carcass-training- centers

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