Agricultural Quality Assessment Division

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258

Service Washington, DC 20250

QAD 516 Procedure 

January 16, 2024 

Page 1 of 8 

USDA Beef Carcass Grading

Instrument Enhanced Grading (IEG) Program

1 Purpose

This document provides the requirements for Establishments that wish to utilize the Instrument 

Enhanced Grading (IEG) Program for applying the United States Standards for Grades of Carcass 

Beef (U.S. Beef Grading Standards).

2 Scope

This document sets forth the requirements for monitoring plant personnel applying the U.S. Beef 

Grading Standards utilizing an approved instrument. Applicants desiring to participate in this 

program must submit to the Quality Assessment Division (QAD) a plant program that addresses all 

aspects and requirements set forth in this document to include documentation and procedures for 

corrective actions. Grading activities utilizing the grading instrument by the certified plant 

employee will be in accordance with the U.S. Beef Grading Standards. Application of the U.S. 

Beef Grading Standards will be monitored and verified by a QAD grader utilizing this document 

and the Applicant’s approved plant program. 

3 References

USDA QAD Instrument Assessment Systems for Livestock Carcasses and Carcass Products 

United States Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef 

QAD 500 Procedure: Beef, Bullock, and Bull Grading Methods and Procedures

QAD 515 Procedure: Beef Carcass Instrument Grading Procedures

4 Responsibilities

4.1 Plant Responsibilities

a. Ensuring proper validation of the instrument.

b. Daily documentation of validation parameters.

c. Ensuring that the QAD grader is notified when the instrument does not properly validate.

d. Ensuring that the instrument is not used until properly validated.

e. Validation of the instrument at the beginning of the shift.

f. Ensuring that the instrument operator is properly trained, and training is documented.

g. Ensuring proper image capture.
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 516 Procedure 

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 January 16, 2024

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 2 of 8 

h. Ensuring that carcasses not represented by an image, when the instrument is properly 

functioning, are not assigned a quality grade. All carcasses must be represented by a 

retrievable image when the instrument is functioning.

i. Ensuring plant employee applying the U.S. Beef Grading Standards has been certified 

by QAD to apply the grade standards.

j. Ensuring that preventative and corrective actions are taken when observations and 

findings indicate potential noncompliance. 

k. Ensuring that a documented quality control system is in place to monitor and identify 

issues related to sawing, ribbing, carcass splitting, or other presentation defects, on a 

continuous basis, throughout each shift. Quality Control documentation will be made 

available to the QAD grader upon request. 

l. Assuring carcasses are adequately chilled and ribbed a minimum of ten minutes prior to 

presentation for instrument grading or traditional grading.

m. Ensuring that the instrument technology is operated in accordance with the 

manufacturer’s guidance. 

n. Providing instrument assessment data and ribeye images (color or black and white) to 

the QAD grader monitoring the system as requested.

o. Ensure images are sharp and clear (properly focused and not blurred).

p. Ensure the ribeye surfaces are free of processing debris that would negatively impact 

instrument prediction.

q. Ensure camera placement includes the 12th-13th rib cross section.

r. Ensure control measures are being conducted to verify proper alignment of camera 

mechanism on carcass surface.

s. Provide the QAD grader with a copy of the unprocessed and processed images for each 

carcass selected for the AQL review of image capture.

4.2 Quality Assessment Division Responsibilities

a. Plant employee designated to apply the U.S. Beef Grading Standards utilizing the 

instrument must at a minimum possess a four-year university degree, or three (3) years 

of meat related experience, and/or a combination of education and experience. 

b. QAD and the National Meat Supervisor will determine the examinations, correlations, 

etc., administered to the plant employee to ascertain knowledge of the grading standards. 
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Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 January 16, 2024

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 3 of 8 

c. The QAD grader will review, understand and verify the Applicant’s approved plant 

program. 

d. Utilize the Program Monitoring Procedures noted below in Section 5. 

e. Verify, as applicable, that the instrument(s) is/are on an approved list via serial numbers, 

etc.

f. Verify that all components (camera head and controller box) have the same ID number

for camera numbers >300. For camera numbers < 300 verify that all components 

(camera head, cable and controller box) have the same ID number.

g. Daily completion of the QAD Grading Checklists (Exhibit A, B).

h. Conduct traditional grading, temporarily, as needed if the instrument fails to validate.

5 Program Requirements

5.1 Program Monitoring Procedures

Certified plant employees applying the U.S. Beef Grading Standards based on instrument 

augmentation will identify carcasses that comply for designated grades based on the U.S. Beef 

Grading Standards. The QAD grader will record all defects observed throughout the entire number 

of samples required. All defects recorded by the QAD grader will be changed to reflect the proper 

USDA quality grade. 

TABLE I. MONITORING (Normal)

Slaughter Rate

Number of cattle per shift

Sample Size

(Number of carcasses)

Accept/Reject Criteria

(Normal Level of Review)

Up to 1000 80 5/6

1001 to 1600 120 7/8

1601 to 2200 160 9/10

Over 2200 200 11/12

Once the final grade has been determined, the QAD grader will randomly select the appropriate 

number of carcasses for review and record those that are not accurately identified per the U.S. Beef 

Grading Standards. Factors that may be the cause of an inaccurate grade designation include, but 

not limited to: 

- Maturity

- Dark cutting characteristics

- Blood splash 

- Callous 

- Improperly ribbed carcasses
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 516 Procedure 

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 January 16, 2024

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 4 of 8 

- Improper sawing

- Bone dust/sawing debris/fat on the ribeye that causes the instrument to provide an invalid 

marbling score

5.2 Changing Levels of Monitoring Activities

a. If during a single shift the QAD grader records inaccurately graded carcasses exceeding 

the acceptable level noted in Table I, the plant will be moved to Tightened sampling for 

the next production day for that shift. Tightened sampling levels are in Table II. 

b. Tightened sampling procedures will continue for three (3) consecutive days. If after 

three (3) consecutive days the plant demonstrates that they have taken corrective action 

they will move back to normal sampling procedures. Corrective action may include reevaluation of the plant employee, by QAD by means of a written correlation.

c. If the QAD grader observes/records more than the acceptable number of inaccurately 

graded carcasses while on tightened sampling the plant will go to traditional grading by 

QAD graders, minimum of two (2) per shift, for a 1-week period of time. The Applicant 

will be responsible for all associated travel costs and per diem incurred to travel 

additional graders to their location. 

d. After one-week of traditional grading by QAD graders, the plant may be allowed to 

return to utilizing licensed plant personnel to apply the grades, pending adequate 

corrective and preventative actions have been taken. The program will resume with 

three (3) consecutive days of tightened monitoring, with acceptable results, prior to 

returning to normal sampling.

e. Reduced Sampling - If monitoring shows that grades and certification are properly 

applied per Table I under Normal levels for 20 consecutive days, then sampling 

frequency is reduced per Table III. Monitoring remains at the Reduced levels unless the 

maximum number of defects is exceeded. If this number is exceeded, monitoring 

switches to the Normal level.

Table II – Monitoring (Tightened)

Slaughter Rate

Number of cattle per shift

Sample Size

(Number of carcasses)

Accept/Reject Criteria

(Tightened Level of Review)

Up to 1000 80 3/4 

1001 to 1600 120 5/6 

1601 to 2200 160 7/8 

Over 2200 200 9/10 
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 516 Procedure 

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 January 16, 2024

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 5 of 8 

Table III – Monitoring (Reduced)

Slaughter Rate

Number of cattle per shift

Sample Size

(Number of carcasses)

Accept/Reject Criteria

(Tightened Level of Review)

Up to 1000 50 3/4 

1001 to 1600 80 5/6 

1601 to 2200 120 7/8 

Over 2200 160 9/10 

5.3 Gross Non-Compliance - QAD management may suspend the approval of the plant’s 

application of carcass grades and identification of Carcass Specifications when significant 

numbers of obvious mis-gradings occur, beyond those being monitored under reduced, 

normal or tightened monitoring procedures. Actions to identify and correct the nonconformance by the Applicant will be immediately addressed. 

a. If during a single shift the QAD grader records inaccurately graded carcasses exceeding 

the acceptable level noted in Table IV, the plant will be moved to Tightened sampling 

for the next production day for that shift. This will be the same sampling rate. 

b. Tightened sampling procedures will continue for three (3) consecutive days. If after 

three (3) consecutive days the plant demonstrates that they have taken corrective action 

they will move back to normal sampling procedures. Corrective action may include reevaluation of the plant employee, by QAD by means of a written correlation. 

c. If the QAD grader observes/records more than the acceptable number of inaccurately 

graded carcasses while on tightened sampling, the plant will go to traditional grading by 

QAD graders, minimum of two (2) per shift, for a 1-week period of time. The Applicant 

will be responsible for all associated travel costs and per diem incurred to travel 

additional graders to their location. 

d. After one-week of traditional grading by QAD graders, the plant may be allowed to 

return to utilizing licensed plant personnel to apply the grades, pending adequate 

corrective and preventative actions have been taken. The program will resume with 

three (3) consecutive days of tightened monitoring, with acceptable results, prior to 

returning to normal sampling.
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 516 Procedure 

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 January 16, 2024

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 6 of 8 

Table IV – Continual Monitoring

Slaughter Rate

Number of cattle per shift

Sample Size

(Number of carcasses)

Accept/Reject Criteria

(Review of holding cooler)

Up to 1000 40 3/4 

1001 to 1600 60 4/5 

1601 to 2200 80 5/6 

Over 2200 100 6/7 

5.4 Non-Conformances (NC) - The QAD grader will:

1) Issue NC’s (Exhibit B) for program deviations and/or deficiencies observed during 

monitoring activities outside of the designated monitoring/sampling noted in Table I, 

Table II, or Table III. 

2) Require a written response to each NC within one business day of receipt of the NC. 

The NC response will include actions taken to correct as well as prevent reoccurrences 

of the nonconformance. 

3) The QAD grader will retain copies of NC’s and applicant’s responses in the files. The 

QAD grader will provide copies of NC’s and applicant’s responses to the immediate 

QAD supervisor, QAD Office and the National Meat Supervisor. 

Depending on the severity of the NC, failure to respond to NC’s and to take corrective actions, 

within the specified timeframe may cause suspension of the program.

5.5 Certifying Plant Employees

The National Meat Supervisor or designee will certify qualified plant employees responsible for 

program integrity and application of the U.S. Beef Grading Standards. This will be accomplished 

through a process that includes both a written exam and a carcass cooler correlation. The qualified 

plant employee must achieve a passing score on both the written (70% or higher) and carcass 

correlation (80% or higher) sections of the testing. (Note: Carcasses used in a correlation for the 

purpose of certifying plant employees must represent a full range of factors that will adequately 

demonstrate the individual’s knowledge, skills, and ability to perform authorized duties.) 

Upon satisfactory completion of training and testing, plant employees will be certified to perform 

authorization grading duties, including identification for Carcass Specifications where applicable. 

Certification of plant employees will be required to be renewed every two years by the National 

Meat Supervisor or designee. This will include both a written exam and carcass cooler correlation. 

After the completion of two certification cycles (4 years) for certified company employees, QAD 

Management may suspend the written test requirement for those certified company employees that 

have shown sustained accurate application of the U.S. Beef Grading Standards and integrity for the 

program. 
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Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 January 16, 2024

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 7 of 8 

In addition, a record designating that each certified employee has completed and passed the required 

tests, signed by the QAD Director and the certified plant employee, will be issued and must be on 

file at the Applicant’s facility as well as the QAD headquarters office. When QAD is requested to 

assist in the training of the plant’s employee, the Applicant will incur any additional costs at the

unscheduled rate, including travel costs associated with the training of their designated employees. 

5.6 Continuing Evaluation of Certified plant employee 

The certified plant employee will be evaluated and tested on a continuing basis to ensure adequate 

knowledge of the U.S. Beef Grading Standards and Carcass Specification requirements. 

Evaluations will occur monthly, via written tests and/or written correlations. The certified plant 

employee is expected to maintain a high level of knowledge of the requirements for the position, 

and a high level of integrity in support of QAD programs. 

5.7 QAD Equipment

Where applicable, USDA stamps used for identifying carcasses will be provided by the QAD.

USDA stamps and roller brands will be secured by USDA employees when not in use. Only 

trained plant employees or QAD graders are authorized to use this equipment. Misuse of issued

equipment may cause suspension of the plants approved program. 

5.8 Meetings

The integrity of QAD programs must be maintained at all times. The QAD grader will interact with

the company and schedule meetings as needed to discuss issues and/or observations for promoting 

continuous improvement of the program. The applicant will record minutes detailing the issues 

discussed during the meetings. Copies of the minutes will be maintained for the files in the grading 

office. 

6 Applications

6.1 Submission of Proposals

Prospective applicants are required to submit a written plant program which must be approved prior 

to the commencement of activities associated with this program. The plant program must address 

each required area and outline specific procedures used to ensure that these requirements are met.

Each applicant will submit an electronic copy to the National Meat Supervisor and Grading 

Services Branch Chief. Applicants may also send a hard copy of their program to: 

USDA, AMS, L&P, Quality Assessment Division

Grading Services Branch Chief

1400 Independence Avenue, Stop 0258 

Washington, DC 20250 
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Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 January 16, 2024

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 8 of 8 

The National Meat Supervisor will notify applicants of their program status within 20 working days 

of receipt of the plant program. 

6.2 Amendments to Programs

Amendments to approved programs will be submitted to the QAD for review and approval prior to 

implementation. The National Meat Supervisor or designee will notify the applicant of amendment 

status within 10 working days of receipt and will issue a notice to the applicant indicating 

amendment approval or denial.

6.3 Charges for Providing Service 

The applicable QAD scheduled hourly fee will be charged for the in-house QAD grader 

performing the monitoring activities. The unscheduled hourly fee and all travel costs incurred 

for additional graders, if needed, will be borne by the Applicant. 

7 Change Record 

The following changes were made to the September 21, 2020 revision of this document: 

a. Renumbered to QAD 516 Procedure. 

b. Changed shall to will. 

__________________________________

Mark Perigen, Director

Quality Assessment Division

Livestock and Poultry Program 

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