Impact of Breed, Sex & Maturity on
Finishing, Quality
Identifying Finished Cattle Yield Grade % Lean Yield
1 >52% 2 52 – 50% 3 50 – 47% 4 47 – 45% 5 <45%
• Fat thickness
• Carcass weight
• % Kidney, pelvic, and heart fat
• Ribeye area
USDA Yield Grade
• Marbling
• Maturity
• Color & Texture
USDA Quality Grade
Frame Scores X Weight at Equal Fatness (29% fat)
Frame Score
5 6 7 8
Steer 1175 1250 1322 1395
Heifer 939 1001 1058 1115
SPAYING HEIFERS
A management tool to overcome the negative impact of estrus on performance and carcass value
Take-Home Message
• British cattle tend to marble more and at earlier end-points
• Continental cattle grow faster and tend to yield higher
• Spaying heifers can improve performance and carcass quality