Feeder Cattle Market Grades Joshua B. Elmore, PAS Advisor III, Natural Resource Programs Auburn...
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Transcript of Feeder Cattle Market Grades Joshua B. Elmore, PAS Advisor III, Natural Resource Programs Auburn...
Feeder Cattle Market Grades
Joshua B. Elmore, PASAdvisor III, Natural Resource Programs
Auburn University Animal Sciences Department
Feeder Cattle Standards are :
• Common trade language between buyers and sellers.
• A tool for penning cattle at officially graded sales.
• Used to certify feeder cattle grades for futures contracts.
• Basis for federal-state livestock market news reporting.
U.S Standards for Grades of Feeder Cattle
• Grow rapidly and efficiently
• Produce a carcass with acceptable quality and high cutability.
• Adequate frame • Body capacity
• High lean to fat ratio up to market weight
• Muscle without excess fat
• Thrifty• Healthy• Acceptable structural
correctness
Growth and Development of Bone, Muscle and Fat
Choice
• The standards describe the various types of feeder cattle being produced and are used as a basis for market reporting and as a common trade language between buyers and sellers.
• Updated October of 2000 to reflect changes in the genetic composition, production, marketing and management of beef cattle.
U.S Standards for Grades of Feeder Cattle
U.S Standards for Grades of Feeder Cattle
• Feeder Cattle are evaluated by a combination of :– Frame Size– Muscling
Frame SizesLarge
Medium
Small
U.S Standards for grades of Feeder Cattle
• Under ordinary development and feeding conditions, different framed animals reach slaughter potential at different weights.
Frame Size- Large
• Tall and long bodied• ½ inch fat:• Steers finish > 1250 lbs• Heifers finish > 1150 lbs
Frame Size- Medium
• Slightly tall• Slightly long bodied• ½ inch fat:• Steers finish 1100 to 1250 lbs• Heifers finish 1000 to 1150 lbs
Frame Size- Small
• Not as tall as Medium• Short bodied• ½ inch fat:• Steers finish < 1100 lbs• Heifers finish < 1000 lbs
USDA/MRP/AMS
USDA/MRP/AMS
USDA/MRP/AMS
15
Evaluating Frame Size
Flank to Flank
Hi
p
Height Chest to
Ground
Frame Size – Relative to maturity
• Length of tail
• Coarseness of hair in switch
• Width of muzzle
• Coarseness of hair on poll
• Size of feet, ears, base of horns, etc.
BIF Frame Score Measurement
BIF Frame Score Chart
Age(months)
BIF Frame Score (inches)
4 5 6
Bulls Heifers Bulls Heifers Bulls Heifers
6 40.8 40.3 42.9 42.3 44.9 44.4
205 Days 42.1 41.2 44.1 43.3 46.1 45.3
8 43.2 42.1 45.2 44.1 47.2 46.2
10 45.3 43.7 47.3 45.7 49.3 47.7
365 Days 47.0 45.0 49.0 47.0 51.0 49.0
14 48.5 46.1 50.4 48.0 52.4 50.0
16 49.6 49.6 51.6 49.9 53.6 50.8
18 50.5 47.5 52.4 49.5 54.4 51.4Source: Beef Improvement Federation’s Guidelines for Uniform Beef Improvement Programs, 8th Edition.
The Relationship of USDA Size and BIF Frame Scores
USDA Frame Size BIF Frame Score
Large Equal to or > 6
Medium 4 and 5
Small Equal to or < 3
USDA/MRP/AMS
USDA Feeder Cattle Grades
Muscle Thickness Scores
No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4
Anatomy
Stifle
Forearm
Loin Back
Stifle
Gaskin
Evaluation of Muscling
• The basic shape of the hindquarter as viewed from behind.
No. 1 Muscling No. 3 Muscling
USDA/MRP/AMS
USDA Feeder Cattle Grades
Muscle Thickness Scores
No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4
#1 Muscling
• Moderately thick throughout, showing a rounded appearance through the back and loin with moderate width between the legs.
#1 Muscling
• Moderately thick throughout, showing a rounded appearance through the back and loin with moderate width between the legs.
1++ 1--
• Slightly thick throughout; showing a rounded appearance through the back and loin with slight width between the legs.
#2 Muscling
• Slightly thick throughout; showing a rounded appearance through the back and loin with slight width between the legs.
#2 Muscling
2++ 2--
• Thin through the forequarter an the middle part of the rounds; back and loin have a sunken appearance; legs are set close together.
#3 Muscling
• Thin through the forequarter an the middle part of the rounds; back and loin have a sunken appearance; legs are set close together.
#3 Muscling
3++ 3--
• Less thickness than the minimum requirements for # 3.
#4 Muscling
Muscle Grades
# 1 # 2 # 3 # 4
Inferior Grade
Mismanaged – Disease/ Parasites Double muscled animals
33
Possible Feeder Cattle Grades Large Frame #1,#2,#3 or #4
Medium Frame #1,#2,#3 or #4
Small Frame #1,#2,#3 or #4
Inferior – This grade will include sick unthrifty cattle and double muscled cattle due to their inability to Quality grade.
• Weight– Accuracy and
completeness for selection
• Frame Size– Finish early and at a
lighter weight– Earlier maturity at
desired fat thickness•Muscle Thickness at a given fatness is highly correlated with muscle to bone ratio.
Target Weights to Reach USDA Choice
USDA Frame Score Steers HeifersLarge 1,250 lbs. 1,150 lbs.Medium 1,100 to 1,250 lbs. 1,000 to 1,150 lbs.Small <1,100 lbs. <1,000 lbs.
USDA/MRP/AMS
USDA/MRP/AMS