U.S. STANDARDS 

FOR GRADES OF 

FEEDER CATTLE FACTS ABOUT: 

The October 1, 2000, revision of the U.S. Standards for Grades of Feeder Cattle reflects changes in 

the genetic composition, production, marketing and management of beef cattle since the 1979 grade 

standards were implemented. The updated frame size and muscle thickness grades more 

accurately reflect the value of today’s feeder cattle. 

The standards describe the various types of feeder cattle being produced and are used as a basis 

for Federal-State livestock market reporting and as a common trade language between buyers and 

sellers. They are a tool for penning cattle at sales where feeder cattle are officially graded and 

ownership commingled. They provide guidelines for better planning of breeding, management and 

marketing programs. The feeder cattle grades continue to be based on evaluating differences in 

frame size and muscle thickness -- two of the most important genetic factors affecting merit (value) in 

feeder cattle. 

Frame size is related to the weight at which, under normal feeding and management practices, an 

animal will produce a carcass that will grade Choice. Large frame animals require a longer time in 

the feedlot to reach a given grade and will weigh more than a small-framed animal would weigh at 

the same grade. Thickness is related to muscle to bone ratio and at a given degree of fatness to 

carcass yield grade. Thicker muscled animals will have more lean meat. The Feeder Cattle 

Standards recognize three frame size grades and four muscle thickness grades. 

In addition to twelve combinations (3 frame size and 4 muscle thickness) of Feeder Cattle Grades for 

thrifty animals, an Inferior grade exists for unthrifty animals. The Inferior grade includes feeder 

cattle, which are unthrifty because of mismanagement, disease, parasitism, or lack of feed. An 

animal that grades Inferior could qualify for a muscle thickness and frame size grade at a later date 

provided the unthrifty condition is corrected. 

"Doubled-muscled" animals are included in the Inferior grade. Although such animals have a 

superior amount of muscle, they are graded U.S. Inferior because of their inability to produce 

carcasses with enough marbling to grade Choice. 

FRAME MUSCLE SCORE 

FRAME 

Large + 

L Large 

Large - 

Expected Weight to Grade Choice 

STEERS HEIFERS 

© © 

1250# 1150# 

Medium + 

M Medium 

Medium -

© © 

1100# 1000# 

Small + 

S Small 

Small - 

1100# 1000# 

a a 

MINIMUM 

THICKNESS 

1 

DEGREE OF THICKNESS 

Moderately thick -

2 Tends to be Slightly Thick -

3 Thin - 

4 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE 

AMS-586 OCTOBER 2000 
FRAME SIZE 

Large 

Medium 

Small 

Large and Medium frame pictures depict minimum grade requirements. The small frame picture represents an animal typical of the grade. 
MUSCLE THICKNESS 

No. 1 

No. 2 

No. 3 

No. 4 

No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 thickness pictures depict minimum grade requirements. The No. 4 picture represents an animal typical of the grade. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are the Frame Size Standards? 

Large Frame (L): Feeder cattle, which possess typical minimum qualifications for this 

grade, are thrifty, have large frames, and are tall and long bodied for their age. Steers and 

heifers would not be expected to produce U.S. Choice carcasses (about 0.50 inch (1.3 cm) 

fat at twelfth rib) until their live weights exceed 1250 pounds (567 kg) and 1150 pounds (522 

kg), respectively. 

Medium Frame (M): Feeder cattle, which possess typical minimum qualifications for this 

grade, are thrifty, have slightly large frames, and are slightly tall and slightly long bodied for 

their age. Steers and heifers would be expected to produce U.S. Choice carcasses (about 

0.50 inch (1.3 cm) fat at twelfth rib) at live weights of 1100 to 1250 pounds (499 to 567 kg) 

and 1000 to 1150 pounds (454 to 522 kg), respectively. 

Small Frame (S): Feeder cattle included in this grade are thrifty, have small frames, and 

are shorter bodied and not as tall as specified as the minimum for the Medium Frame 

grade. Steers and heifers would be expected to produce U.S. Choice carcasses (about 

0.50 inch (1.3 cm) fat at twelfth rib) at live weights of less than 1100 pounds (499 kg) and 

1000 pounds (454 kg), respectively. 

What are the Muscle Thickness Standards? 

No. 1: Feeder cattle, which possess minimum qualifications for this grade usually display, 

predominate beef breeding. They must be thrifty and moderately thick throughout. They 

are moderately thick and full in the forearm and gaskin, showing a rounded appearance 

through the back and loin with moderate width between the legs, both front and rear. Cattle 

show this thickness with a slightly thin covering of fat; however, cattle eligible for this grade 

may carry varying degrees of fat. 

No. 2: Feeder cattle, which possess minimum qualifications for this grade usually, show a 

high proportion of beef breeding and slight dairy breeding may be detected. They must be 

thrifty and tend to be slightly thick throughout. They tend to be slightly thick and full in the 

forearm and gaskin, showing a rounded appearance through the back and loin with slight 

width between the legs, both front and rear. Cattle show this thickness with a slightly thin 

covering of fat; however, cattle eligible for this grade may carry varying degrees of fat. 

No. 3: Feeder cattle, which possess minimum qualifications for this grade, are thrifty and 

thin through the forequarter and the middle part of the rounds. The forearm and gaskin are 

thin and the back and loin have a sunken appearance. The legs are set close together, 

both front and rear. Cattle show this narrowness with a slightly thin covering of fat; however, cattle eligible for this grade may carry varying degrees of fat. 

No. 4: Feeder cattle included in this grade are thrifty animals, which have less thickness 

than the minimum requirements specified for the No. 3 grade. 

Metric numbers are approximate due to rounding. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, prints, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and 

TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW; 

Washington, DC, 20250, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.