Press Release
☷USDA Launches Pilot to Help More Processors Access High Value Beef Grading
U.S. Department of Agriculture ( By Press Release office)
Jan 21,2024
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Hey folks , guess what? Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack just announced a cool new pilot program! It ' s all about helping more cattle producers and meat processors get access to better markets . The program , called Remote Grading Pilot for Beef , uses some simple technology and data management to let a USDA grader assess beef quality from a remote location . This means smaller processors and farmers can finally get the official quality grade without breaking the bank . Secretary Vilsack made the announcement during a panel discussion at the National Western Stock Show in Denver , Colorado . He also talked about other USDA programs that support farms , ranches , and rural communities in the West . This pilot is part of the USDA ' s efforts to level the playing field for small - scale farmers and give them more options to market their products . So , not only does it benefit the producers , but it also helps buyers and consumers by providing clear and standardized quality grades . And get this , an USDA Prime beef carcass can be worth hundreds of dollars more than an ungraded one! But unfortunately , the cost of the grading service often prevents smaller processors and farmers from using it . That ' s why this remote grading pilot is such a game - changer . It opens up new marketing opportunities for packers and processors , giving them access to better and more diverse markets . So , it ' s a win - win for everyone involved in the beef supply chain . Let ' s hope this pilot takes off and helps boost the industry!So far , our experience with remote grading has shown that it significantly cuts down on travel expenses , making it more accessible for smaller processors . In this pilot , employees at the plant will take specific pictures of the live animals and beef carcasses . These images will be electronically sent to a USDA grader who is located somewhere else in the US , probably in another rural community . The grader will review the images , along with the plant records and product data , and assign the USDA Quality Grade and applicable carcass certification programs . They will then communicate the official grade back to the plant , which can use this information for marketing and to share carcass performance data with producers . This pilot will build on the lessons learned from our feasibility study of remote grading conducted in the second half of 2023 . We will involve a larger and more diverse group of beef packers to further develop this process . Through the pilot , we will gather more information about the actual cost and the level of in - person surveillance needed to ensure program consistency and integrity . Our goal is to establish this innovative service option as part of the USDA Quality Grading Service . The Remote Grading Pilot for Beef is only available to domestic beef slaughter facilities operating under federal inspection and producing product that meets the eligibility criteria for the USDA grading program . For more information about the Remote Grading Pilot for Beef , you can visit our website or email us . We will also be hosting a webinar on Thursday , Jan . 25 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time to provide more information about the program . You can register for the webinar on our signup webpage . A recording of the webinar will be available afterwards . USDA is dedicated to positively impacting the lives of all Americans . Under the Biden - Harris Administration , we are working towards transforming America ' s food system by focusing on resilient local and regional food production , promoting fair markets for all producers , ensuring access to safe and nutritious food in all communities , creating new markets and income streams for farmers and producers using climate - smart practices , investing in rural America ' s infrastructure and clean energy capabilities , and committing to equity by removing systemic barriers and building a more diverse workforce . To find out more , visit our website . #USDA is an equal opportunity provider , employer , and lender .
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