USDA Launches New Remote Beef Grading Pilot Program to Empower Rural Meat Processors

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently unveiled a pioneering remote beef grading program designed to empower rural meat processors, enabling them to digitally grade their products and access USDA’s official beef quality grading and certification.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack introduced the pilot program in January during a panel discussion with livestock producers and independent meat processing business owners at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado.

“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,” stated Secretary Vilsack in a USDA press release. “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.”

Traditionally, USDA meat grading and certification services have been utilized predominantly by large beef packing operations. However, smaller, independent processors have faced barriers, primarily due to the expense of having a USDA grader visit their facility in person, especially for a limited number of cattle.

The remote grading pilot program aims to address this disparity by allowing trained plant employees to capture specific images of live animals and beef carcasses using a smartphone. These images are then electronically submitted to a USDA grader for assessment, who assigns the USDA Quality Grade and applicable carcass certification programs remotely.

Chris Young, executive director of the American Association of Meat Processors, emphasized the significance of the program for smaller processors. “This opens up a whole new realm for them to compete in a way they haven’t been able to compete before because it allows them to sell graded products,” stated Young.

Participants in the program receive official results from USDA graders within 24 hours, enabling them to process and market high-quality beef graded as USDA Prime, USDA Choice, or USDA Select. Additionally, they can participate in approved certified meat programs, such as Certified Angus Beef.