USDA Certified Beef Programs www.ams.usda.gov

Company 44 Farms Allen Brothers Aurora Packing

Program/Brand Name

44 Farms 

Premium Natural

Black Angus

St. Helen's 

Premium

Angus Beef

Signature Double 

R Northwest 

Brand Beef

Agri Star AngusIowa Best Beef 

Black Angus Beef

Agri Star Wagyu 

and Iowa Best 

Wagyu Beef

Iowa Best Beef 

Premier Midwest 

Black Angus

Allen Brothers 

Angus Beef

Aurora Packing 

Premium Black 

Angus

Specification number G-112 G-51 G-64 G-68 G-144 G-109 G-48 G-43

Live Animal Requirement

Phenotype AAA AAA or RAFCCP AAA AAA AAA AAA

Genotype AAA AAA or RAFCCP AWA AAA

Other NHTC, NE3

Carcass Characteristics

U.S. Prime X X X X X X X X

U.S. Choice X X X X X X X X

U.S. Select X X X X

U.S. Standard

U.S. Utility and Commercial

Maturity < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age A or B maturity < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age

Marbling score requirement Full Range in 

Prime

SL00 or higher MD00 or higher SL00 or higher SL00 or higher Mtoo or higher MT00 or higher a.SlA00 or higher

Full Range in 

Choice b.SM00 to MD00

 c. SL00 to SL99

Medium or fine marbling texture X X X X X X X

Yield grade ≥4.9

Ribeye area (square inches) 10.0 - 16.0

Hot carcass weight (pounds) < 1100*

Fat thickness (inches) < 1.0

Minimum muscling requirement X X X X X X X

 Carcass class (type)y S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H

Capillary rupture in ribeye musclez PF PF PF PF X PF PF PF

Free of dark cutting characteristics X X X X X X X X

Max hump height (≤ 2 inches) X X X X X X X X

USDA Information

 Initial release date Aug-11 Oct-01 Oct-04 Jun-05 May-21 Jul-11 Jul-15 May-18

 Effective date Jul-19 Jun-21 Jul-19 Jul-19 May-21 Aug-21 Oct-22 Aug-22

AB Foods, LLC (Washington Beef) Agri Star

6/30/2023
USDA Certified Beef Programs www.ams.usda.gov

Company

Program/Brand Name

Specification number

Live Animal Requirement

Phenotype

Genotype

Other

Carcass Characteristics

U.S. Prime

U.S. Choice

U.S. Select

U.S. Standard

U.S. Utility and Commercial

Maturity

Marbling score requirement

Medium or fine marbling texture

Yield grade

Ribeye area (square inches)

Hot carcass weight (pounds)

Fat thickness (inches)

Minimum muscling requirement

 Carcass class (type)y

Capillary rupture in ribeye musclez

Free of dark cutting characteristics

Max hump height (≤ 2 inches)

USDA Information

 Initial release date

 Effective date

Australian 

Premium

Brush Meat 

Processors

Brush Meat 

Processors Cargill Meat CAB CCPAB CHB CHB

Kansas Ranch 

Premium Reserve 

Black Angus

Brush Meat 

Processers 

Black Angus Beef

Rocky Mountain 

Angus Beef 

Program Sterling Silver

Certified

Angus Beef

Cattle Company 

Premium Angus 

Beef

Certified

Hereford Beef

Certified Hereford 

Beef Premium

G-111 G-119 G-89 G-2 G-1 G-16 G-10 G-10A

AAA AAA AAA/RAAA AAA AAA AHA AHA

AAA AAA RAAA AAA AAA

NHTC NHTC

X X X X X X X X

X X X X X X X X

X X X X

< 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age

a: Full range in 

Prime

a: Full range in 

Prime SL00 or higher MT00 or higher MT00 or higher MT00 or higher SM00 or higher MT00 or higher

b: Full range in 

Choice

b: Full range in 

Choice

c: SL00 to SL99 (A) c: SL00 to SL99 (A)

X X X X X X X X

10.0 - 16.0/19.0** 10.0 - 16.0 10.0 - 16.0 10.0 - 16.0

< 1100* < 1100* < 1050* < 1050*

< 1.0 < 1.0 <1.0 <1.0

X X X X X X X X

S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H

PF PF PF PF PF PF PF PF

X X X X X X

X X X X X X X X

Aug-11 Nov-12 Dec-22 Jul-98 1978 Oct-18 Jan-96 Aug-16

Jul-19 Jul-19 Dec-22 Jun-19 Oct-22 Oct-22 Jun-19 Jun-19

6/30/2023
USDA Certified Beef Programs www.ams.usda.gov

Company

Program/Brand Name

Specification number

Live Animal Requirement

Phenotype

Genotype

Other

Carcass Characteristics

U.S. Prime

U.S. Choice

U.S. Select

U.S. Standard

U.S. Utility and Commercial

Maturity

Marbling score requirement

Medium or fine marbling texture

Yield grade

Ribeye area (square inches)

Hot carcass weight (pounds)

Fat thickness (inches)

Minimum muscling requirement

 Carcass class (type)y

Capillary rupture in ribeye musclez

Free of dark cutting characteristics

Max hump height (≤ 2 inches)

USDA Information

 Initial release date

 Effective date

Creekstone Farms 

Premium Beef

Copper Creek 

Cattle Company DemKota Ranch

Demkota Ranch 

Beef

Premium Black 

Angus Beef

Premium Natural 

Black Angus Beef

Premium 

International Black 

Angus Beef

Premium Black Angus 

Beef 

Copper Creek 

Cattle Company 

Angus Beef

DemKota Ranch 

Black Angus Beef

Demkota Ranch 

Beef

G-44 G-61 G-74 G-87 G-11 G-15 G-21

AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA

AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA

NHTC

Xa Xa Xa Xa X X X

Xa Xb Xb Xb X X X

Xc Xc Xc X X

< 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age

a: MT00 or higher a: Full range in Prime a: Full range in Prime a: Full range in Prime MT00 or higher a: Full range in 

Prime

a: Full range in 

Prime

b: Full range in 

Choice

b: Full range in 

Choice

b: Full range in 

Choice

b: Full range in 

Choice

b: Full range in 

Choice

c: SL00 to SL99 (A) c: SL00 to SL99 (A) c: SL00 to SL99 (A) c: Sl00 to Sl99 (A) c: Sl00 to Sl99 (A)

X X X X X X X

10.0 - 16.0

< 1100*

< 1.0

X X X X X

S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H

PF PF PF PF PF PF PF

X X X

X X X X X X X

Oct-00 Jun-04 Oct-05 Dec-09 Aug-19 Mar-16 Aug-16

Jul-19 Jul-19 Jul-19 Jul-19 Oct-22 Jun-19 Jul-19

Creekstone Farms Premium Beef

6/30/2023
USDA Certified Beef Programs www.ams.usda.gov

Company

Program/Brand Name

Specification number

Live Animal Requirement

Phenotype

Genotype

Other

Carcass Characteristics

U.S. Prime

U.S. Choice

U.S. Select

U.S. Standard

U.S. Utility and Commercial

Maturity

Marbling score requirement

Medium or fine marbling texture

Yield grade

Ribeye area (square inches)

Hot carcass weight (pounds)

Fat thickness (inches)

Minimum muscling requirement

 Carcass class (type)y

Capillary rupture in ribeye musclez

Free of dark cutting characteristics

Max hump height (≤ 2 inches)

USDA Information

 Initial release date

 Effective date

Double J

Eagle Ridge

Fine Meats and 

Provisions

FM Meats 

Products

FM Meats 

Products Fort Worth Meats

Double J

Angus Beef

Certified Legacy 

72 Angus Beef 

Program

Premier

Angus Beef

Valley Pride Black 

Angus Beef EVP Angus Beef FM Meats Angus 

Great Mark 

Western High 

Choice Angus Beef

G-88 G-24 G-50 G-66 G-93 G-38 G-36 G-81

AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA

AAA AAA AAA

X X X X X X

X X X X X X

X X X X X

X

X

< 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age A or B B - E A < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age

a: Full range in 

Prime MT00 or higher SM00 or higher SL00 or higher Sl00 to Sl99 SL00 or higher MT00 or higher SL00 or higher

b: Full range in 

Choice

c: Sl00 to Sl99 (A)

X X X X X X

10.0 - 16.0 10.0 - 16.0

< 1100* <1050

< 1.0 <1.0

X X X X X X X

S & H S & H S & H S, H & C S & H S & H S & H S & H

PF PF PF PF PF PF PF PF

X X X X X X X X

X X X X X X X

Mar-09 Mar-19 Sep-01 Sep-01 May-09 Aug-15 Nov-17 Aug-07

Jul-19 Oct-22 Jul-19 Jul-19 Jul-19 Mar-21 Jul-19 Sep-21

Elkhorn Valley

Packing

6/30/2023
USDA Certified Beef Programs www.ams.usda.gov

Company

Program/Brand Name

Specification number

Live Animal Requirement

Phenotype

Genotype

Other

Carcass Characteristics

U.S. Prime

U.S. Choice

U.S. Select

U.S. Standard

U.S. Utility and Commercial

Maturity

Marbling score requirement

Medium or fine marbling texture

Yield grade

Ribeye area (square inches)

Hot carcass weight (pounds)

Fat thickness (inches)

Minimum muscling requirement

 Carcass class (type)y

Capillary rupture in ribeye musclez

Free of dark cutting characteristics

Max hump height (≤ 2 inches)

USDA Information

 Initial release date

 Effective date

FPL Foods FTM Sales Greater Omaha Greater Omaha Greater Omaha Greater Omaha Halperns' Harris Ranch

Upper Iowa Beef 

Program

FPL Foods Upper 

2/3's Angus 

Program

FTM Sales Angus 

Beef Program

1881 Omaha 

Hereford Beef

Greater Omaha 

Classic Hereford 

Beef

Greater Omaha 

1920 Angus Beef 

Program

Greater Omaha 

Classic Angus Beef 

Program

Halprens'

Angus Beef 

Natural

Black Angus

Upper Iowa Beef 

Program

G-49 G-12 G-103 G-103A G-104 G-104A G-27 G-57 G-148

AAA AAA AHA AHA AAA AAA AAA AAA

AAA AAA

X X X X X X X Xa X

X X X X X X X Xbc X

X X X Xd X

X

X

< 30 mon. of age A - E < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age

MT00 or higher a: Full range in 

Prime MT00 or higher SL50 or higher MT00 or higher SL50 or higher MT00 or higher a: SLA00 or higher SL0 or Higher

b: Full range in 

Choice b: MT00 to MD99

c: SL00 to SL99 (A) c: SM00 to SM99

d: SL40 to SL99

X X X X X X

10.0 - 16.0 10.0 - 16.0 10.0 - 17.0 10.0 - 16.0 10.0 - 17.0 10.0 - 16.0

<1100 < 1100* < 1150* < 1100* < 1150* < 1100*

<1.0 <1.5 <1.0 <1.0 < 1.0

X X X X X X X X

S & H S & H & Cow S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H

PF PF PF PF PF PF PF PF PF

X X X X X X X X X

X X X X X X X X X

Jun-19 May-15 Oct-10 Dec-18 Jul-21 Jul-21 Dec-15 Apr-22 May-23

Oct-22 Jun-19 Jul-21 Jul-19 Oct-22 Jul-21 Oct-22 Jul-19 May-23

6/30/2023
USDA Certified Beef Programs www.ams.usda.gov

Company

Program/Brand Name

Specification number

Live Animal Requirement

Phenotype

Genotype

Other

Carcass Characteristics

U.S. Prime

U.S. Choice

U.S. Select

U.S. Standard

U.S. Utility and Commercial

Maturity

Marbling score requirement

Medium or fine marbling texture

Yield grade

Ribeye area (square inches)

Hot carcass weight (pounds)

Fat thickness (inches)

Minimum muscling requirement

 Carcass class (type)y

Capillary rupture in ribeye musclez

Free of dark cutting characteristics

Max hump height (≤ 2 inches)

USDA Information

 Initial release date

 Effective date

Iowa Premium

J.W. Treuth 

and Sons Meat by Linz

Naeve Black 

Angus

Upper Iowa Angus 

Beef Program

Iowa

Angus Beef 

Program Est. 8 Angus Beef

Treuth Reserve 

Angus Beef

Linz Heritage 

Angus

Naeve

Black Angus Beef

Black Canyon 

Angus Beef 

Premium Reserve

Certified Premium 

Beef

G-136 G-137 G-142 G-56 G-117 G-147 G-14 G-20

AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA

AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA

X X X X X Xa X X

X X X X X Xbc X X

X X X Xd

A or B < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age

a: Full Range in 

Prime MT00 or higher MT00 or higher SM00 or Higher a: Full range in 

Prime a: SLA00 or higher SM50 or higher MT00 or higher

b: Full Range in 

Choice

b: Upper twothirds of Choice b: MT00 to MD99

c: SL00 to SL99 (A) b: Full range in 

Choice c: SM00 to SM99

c: SL00 to SL99 (A) d: SL40 to SL99

X X X X X X

10.0 - 16.0 10.0 - 16.0

< 1100* < 1050*

< 1.0

X X X X X X X

S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H

PF PF PF PF PF PF PF

X X X X X X X X

X X X X X X X X

Dec-14 Dec-14 Jun-15 Mar-18 Apr-13 Apr-22 Dec-96 Oct-98

Apr-21 Jul-19 Oct-22 Jul-19 Jul-19 Apr-22 Jun-19 Jun-19

Upper Iowa Angus Beef National Beef

6/30/2023
USDA Certified Beef Programs www.ams.usda.gov

Company

Program/Brand Name

Specification number

Live Animal Requirement

Phenotype

Genotype

Other

Carcass Characteristics

U.S. Prime

U.S. Choice

U.S. Select

U.S. Standard

U.S. Utility and Commercial

Maturity

Marbling score requirement

Medium or fine marbling texture

Yield grade

Ribeye area (square inches)

Hot carcass weight (pounds)

Fat thickness (inches)

Minimum muscling requirement

 Carcass class (type)y

Capillary rupture in ribeye musclez

Free of dark cutting characteristics

Max hump height (≤ 2 inches)

USDA Information

 Initial release date

 Effective date

National Beef Nebraska Prime Nolan Ryan* One World Beef

Black Canyon 

Angus Beef

WR Reserve 

Premium Black 

Angus

All Natural Tender 

Aged Beef

Ohio Premium 

Beef

Ohio Signature 

Beef

Imperial Valley 

Black Angus 

Program

Revier Black 

Angus Beef 

Program

Revier Black 

Angus Cow 

Program

G-63 G-107 G-NR G-92 G-55 G-145 G-82 G-116

AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA

X X X X X X

Xa X X X X X X

Xb X X X X

X X

X X

< 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age A-E < 30 mon. of age A-E

a: SM00 to MD99 a: Full range in 

Prime a: SM00 to MD99 Sm00 or higher SM00 or higher SL00 or higher

b: SL30 to SL99 b: Upper twothirds of Choice b: SL00 to SL99

c: Full range in 

Choice 

d: SL00 to SL99 (A)

X X

≤ 3.9

11.0 - 16.5

X X X X

S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H S&H

N PF PF PF PF PF

X X X X X X X X

X X X X X X X

Oct-04 Mar-11 Apr-00 Jun-09 Sep-03 Jan-22 Dec-20 Dec-20

Jul-19 Jul-19 Jul-19 Jul-19 Jul-19 Feb-22 Sep-21 Sep-21

6/30/2023
USDA Certified Beef Programs www.ams.usda.gov

Company

Program/Brand Name

Specification number

Live Animal Requirement

Phenotype

Genotype

Other

Carcass Characteristics

U.S. Prime

U.S. Choice

U.S. Select

U.S. Standard

U.S. Utility and Commercial

Maturity

Marbling score requirement

Medium or fine marbling texture

Yield grade

Ribeye area (square inches)

Hot carcass weight (pounds)

Fat thickness (inches)

Minimum muscling requirement

 Carcass class (type)y

Capillary rupture in ribeye musclez

Free of dark cutting characteristics

Max hump height (≤ 2 inches)

USDA Information

 Initial release date

 Effective date

Shamrock

Foods Stock Yards

Gold Canyon 

Angus Beef Angus Beef Chef's Exclusive

Chef's Exclusive 

EU Black Angus Beef

High River Angus 

Exclusive

Swift Chef's 

Exclusive

Black Angus

G.F. Swift 1855 

Black Angus Beef

G-114 G-22 G-4 G-5 G-23 G-29 G-31 G-70

AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA

AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA

X X X X X X X X

X X X X X X X X

X X

< 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age

MT00 or higher MT00 or higher MT00 or higher SL00 or Higher Sl00 to AB99 MT00 or higher MT00 or higher MT00 or higher

X X X X X X X

10.0 - 16.0 10.0 - 16.0 10.0 - 16.0 10.0 - 16.0

< 1100* < 1100* < 1100* < 1100*

< 1.0 < 1.0 < 1.0 < 1.0

X X X X X X X

S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H

PF PF N PF PF PF PF PF

X X X X X X X X

X X X X X X X

Nov-11 Mar-99 1986 15-Feb Jul-97 Sep-17 Mar-18 Jun-05

Oct-22 Oct-22 Jun-19 Jun-19 Jul-19 Jul-19 Oct-22 Oct-22

Swift & Co.

6/30/2023
USDA Certified Beef Programs www.ams.usda.gov

Company

Program/Brand Name

Specification number

Live Animal Requirement

Phenotype

Genotype

Other

Carcass Characteristics

U.S. Prime

U.S. Choice

U.S. Select

U.S. Standard

U.S. Utility and Commercial

Maturity

Marbling score requirement

Medium or fine marbling texture

Yield grade

Ribeye area (square inches)

Hot carcass weight (pounds)

Fat thickness (inches)

Minimum muscling requirement

 Carcass class (type)y

Capillary rupture in ribeye musclez

Free of dark cutting characteristics

Max hump height (≤ 2 inches)

USDA Information

 Initial release date

 Effective date

Sysco Tejas Meats Tyson's US 212 Beef

Where Food 

Comes From

STX Premium 

Angus Beef STX Angus Beef

Butcher's Block 

Reserve

Angus Beef

Tejas Premium 

Meats Angus Beef

Chairman's 

Reserve Certified 

Premium Beef

US 212 Black 

Angus Beef 

Where Food 

Comes From

G-18 G-118 G-78 G-6 G-35 G-143 G-33

AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA

AAA AAA AAA AAA

X X X X X X X

X X X X X X

X X X X

< 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age < 30 mon. of age

SLA00 or higher SL00 or higher MT00 or higher SL00 or higher MT00 or higher Full range in 

Prime SL00 or higher

Upper two-thirds 

of Choice

Full range in 

Choice 

SL00 to SL99 

X X X X X

< 3.9

10.0 - 16.0 10.0 - 16.0 10.0 - 16.0 10.0 - 16.0 10.0 - 16.0

< 1050* < 1050* < 1100* < 1050*

< 1.0 < 1.0 < 1.0 < 1.0 < 1.0

X X X X X

S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H S & H & C S & H

PF PF PF PF PF PF PF

X X X X X X X

X X X X X X

Jun-20 Jun-20 Dec-14 Jun-20 Sep-99 Jan-21 Mar-19

Jun-20 Jun-20 Oct-22 Jun-20 Jul-19 Feb-21 Mar-19

STX Beef

6/30/2023
USDA Certified Beef Programs www.ams.usda.gov

Footnotes:

** G-1 Specification: 

x

Moderately thick or thicker muscling and tend to be at least moderately wide and thick i 

y

S = Steer; H = Heifer; C = Cow

z

PF=practically free of capillary ruptures; N=no evidence of capillary rupture.

X=Program requirement. *See specification for specific program requirements.

AAA=USDA Specification for Characteristics of Cattle Eligible for Approved Beef 

Programs Claiming Angus Influence; 

AHA=American Hereford Association Live Animal Specification.

u

Red Angus Assoc. of Amer. Red Angus Feeder Calf Certification Program

a,b,c,dDenotes different brand name within a program.

Option 1 (default) is 10-16 inch REA; 

Option 2 is 10-19 inch REA and requires written approval from CAB, LLC.

6/30/2023