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

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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