The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has initiated a new program aimed at bridging the gap between cattle producers and meat processors with superior markets. This connection will be facilitated through the department's official beef quality grading and certification.
According to a press release by the USDA, the Remote Grading Pilot for Beef will combine technology with robust data management, enabling a USDA grader to evaluate beef characteristics. This integration will expedite the process of assigning an official quality grade to the beef, thereby accelerating its entry into general markets. This technological advancement is expected to lower costs usually associated with this process and broaden market opportunities for cattle producers.
"On average, a beef carcass that grades as USDA Prime is valued at hundreds of dollars more than an ungraded carcass, but costs for this voluntary USDA service often prevent smaller scale processors and the farmers and ranchers they serve from using this valuable marketing tool," said Secretary Vilsack. "This remote grading pilot opens the door for additional packers and processors to receive grading and certification services allowing them to access new, better, and more diverse marketing opportunities." Vilsack made this announcement during a panel discussion in Denver, Colorado.
In another press release by the USDA, it was stated that these services would be available to packers and processors on a user-fee basis. Both buyers and sellers in the industry depend on the quality grades provided by the USDA to comprehend the quality of the meat. To date, statistics on remote grading have indicated a significant reduction in travel expenses, making this grading opportunity accessible to smaller processors nationwide and fostering increased competition across the industry. At present, the Remote Grading Pilot for Beef is restricted to domestic beef slaughter facilities. These facilities must operate under federal inspection that meets criteria established by the USDA.
