Before contacting the AMS Livestock and Poultry Program (AMS-LP) about RGP Pilot participation, it is important to understand what official quality grading and certification is and consider whether these voluntary fee-based services are applicable to your meat packing operation and how they may benefit your marketing objectives. The following resources may assist with these considerations:
Law: Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946
Law: Public Law 272 regarding misuse and misrepresentation of USDA grade marks
Regulations: 7 CFR PART 54—MEATS, PREPARED MEATS, AND MEAT PRODUCTS (GRADING, CERTIFICATION, AND STANDARDS)
Beef Standards: U.S. Grade Standards for Beef
Beef Marketing Programs: USDA Certified Meat Programs
Video: The Science Behind the Grade (skip to 1:03:42 for beef grading explanation)
Video: Overview of USDA Beef Grading (hosted by the American Meat Science Association)
USDA Webpage: Beef Grading Shields and Marbling Pictures
USDA Webpage: Beef Grading Resources
Additional Resources
Cattlemen’s Beef Board Checkoff Funded Product Quality Research and Learning