Usda Marbling Chart

Beef cuts with less marbling such as usda select can be cooked on the grill just like usda choice or usda prime grades but may need to be monitored a little closer and cooked a little less to keep it as tender as possible.

Usda marbling chart.

Usda prime beef has the highest marbling score or fat content followed by usda choice. A carcass in yield grade 1 usually has only a thin layer of external fat over the ribs loins rumps and clods and slight deposits of fat in the flanks and cod or udder. The beef grading system developed by the united states department of agriculture is a voluntary grading system based on the meat s maturity and level of fat marbling these two factors are indicators of the beef s tenderness. From calves born to hogs slaughtered.

The correlation is usually around 70 to 80 between the two measures. Marbling plays a big role in quality grades. The agency has the distinction of being known as the fact finders of u s. Usda select has only slight marbling.

You ve heard of prime choice and select grades and prime tops the grading scale. From agricultural prices to land in farms. Degree of marbling is the primary determination of quality grade. Due to the abnormally high level of marbling that exists in this beef breed it often exceeds the top usda grade prime and therefore it is difficult to grade those high end carcasses.

And marbling is that imf is a numeric objective measure whereas marbling is subjective to the eye of the grader. Department of agriculture usda and is graded for quality and consistency. Nass publications cover a wide range of subjects from traditional crops such as corn and wheat to specialties such as mushrooms and flowers. There is usually a very thin layer of fat over the outside of the rounds and over the tops of the shoulders and necks.

Graders evaluate the amount and distribution of marbling in the ribeye muscle at the cut surface after the carcass has been ribbed between the 12th and 13th ribs. Beef grading fact sheet pdf courtesy of the amercian meat science association. Quality grades are widely used as a language within the beef industry making business transactions easier and providing a vital link to support rural america. Beef that is given a higher grade is usually from younger cattle and has more fat marbling.

Usda beef quality and yield grades courtesy of texas a m. Marbling intramuscular fat is the intermingling or dispersion of fat within the lean. Agriculture due to the abundance of. All beef is inspected for wholesomeness by the u s.