Checkoff Supports Instrument Grading Research
Contact: , 402-856-2097;
Suggested Lead: Beef grading has been a vital marketing service provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) since the 1920s. Consumers, through retail, restaurant, and commercial food service buyers, have come to rely on USDA Prime, Choice, and Select as symbols of quality. Much of the U.S. beef supply chain depends on official USDA beef grades as the underlying basis for carcass value and for negotiating product price. Consequently, grading accuracy and consistency are highly important, especially as the industry transitions toward instrument grading. Keith Belk, meat scientist for the Center for Meat Safety and Quality at Colorado State University, says the beef checkoff has supported instrument research with investments exceeding $2.5 million over the past 10 years…tape
Cut #1 :39 O.C...”a long time.”
Belk says in an effort to improve the consistency and accuracy of beef carcass grade and factor assessment, the USDA has approved grading instruments to assist in determining the official quality and yield grades and in evaluating factors for certified branded beef programs…tape
Cut #2 :38 O.C...”they’re turned on.”
USDA is aware of the opportunity to augment and improve subjective evaluations that field graders perform daily on a nationwide basis and have taken steps to ensure a seamless and transparent transition to instrument grading. Belk explains a few of the challenges associated with this technology and when the industry can expect this to be implemented…tape.
Cut #3 1:05 O.C...”sometime this year.”
For more information about checkoff-funded programs, visit www dot my beef checkoff dot com (www.MyBeefCheckoff.com). For more information about instrument grading, and methods being researched, visit www dot beef research dot org (www.BeefResearch.org) and click on Product Enhancement Research Executive Summaries.
The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.
Funded by the Beef Checkoff.
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