Carcasses are sold in the beef on the rail based on USDA quality and yield grade using a grid system. Premiums are given for more desirable carcasses. Feeding costs are financed by the feedyards for the duration of the program. Expenses are deducted from carcass value. Each consignor receives an individual report on feedyard performance, carcass merit, and financial results of their steers.
Producers also receive a summary report of all steers consigned in the program.
Since 1991, over 14 collaborative projects have flowed from the program and reflect the concerns of cow-calf producers as well as the feeders. Some projects have yielded data, derived from sampling steers on arrival to evaluate their blood serum status for copper, zinc, and selenium. These minerals are known to have an effect on the immune system of calves. Other projects have dealt with rectal temperature evaluations at arrival to help show any effects on subsequent morbidity and mortality. Still other tests have provided data on the use of pre-shipment medication to reduce morbidity.