As an industry and as individuals we have not been responsive to consumer needs or desires. The genetic decisions that each producer makes in sire selection impacts nine of ten concerns listed above. Furthermore, the NBQA also defined the ideal carcass weight to be a minimum of 600 pounds and a maximum of 850 pounds. Producers can breed for one of two targets, which is a decision that each needs to make. The second target will be achieved by incorporating some continental breeding into the genetic makeup in order to produce USDA yield grade 1 and 2 cattle while maintaining enough propensities to marble to qualify for the Select grade and higher.
Carcass weight defines slaughter weight, which also is partially defined by frame size.
Pinpointing the target becomes very difficult. Let me share with you a logical target for a commercial cow-calf producer and the way in which I would approach breeding for that target. Because you cannot eliminate all variability, my target for carcass weight would be 750 to 775 pounds, which is essentially a 1,200 to 1,225 pound live weight. The target for USDA Quality Grade is Average Choice, so most should be Low Choice or better. The target for ribeye area is 12.5 to13.0 square inches or 1.05 to1.1 square inches per 100 pounds live weight.