The Grading Branch uses university-researched, USDA-developed, and industry recognized standards. Grading determines the quality and yield of carcasses. Quality grades vary depending on the species. Grading Service for all commodities is overseen by three regional offices (PDF)
Commodity
| Quality Grades
| Yield Grades
|
|---|
|
| Prime, Choice, Select, Standard, Commercial, Utility, Cutter, and Canner
| 1-5
|
|---|
|
| Prime, Choice, Good, Utility, and Cull
| 1-5
|
|---|
|
| Choice, Good, Utility, and Cull
| 1-5
|
|---|
|
| Prime, Choice, Good, Standard, and Utility
| Not applicable
|
|---|
|
| U.S. No. 1, 2, 3, 4, and Utility
| Not applicable
|
|---|
|
| U.S. No. 1, 2, 3, Medium, and Cull
| Not applicable
|
|---|
|
| A, no grade
| Not applicable
|
|---|
|
| A, no grade
| Not applicable
|
|---|
|
| AA, A,
| Not applicable
|
|---|
Meat Grading – Beef, Lamb, Yearling Mutton, Mutton, Veal and Calves, Barrows and Gilts, and Sows are all eligible for grading and certification services provided by the QAD Grading Branch. QAD also offers carcass certification services that help ensure specific carcass requirements are met, such as adherence to a limited quality range or breed.
Poultry Grading - Chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guineas, and pigeons are all eligible for grading and certification services provided by the QAD Grading Branch. These services are provided in accordance with Federal poultry grading regulations.
Shell Egg Grading - Shell eggs are produced on farms with a few thousand laying chickens or in large laying complexes with over a million layers. All shell eggs are eligible for the grading and certification services provided by the QAD Grading Branch. AMS also certifies shell eggs imported into the U.S. for breaking stock (PDF).
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