Which statement is true about beef yield grades?

Which statement is true about beef yield grades?

• A. USDA 1 is the industry average
• B. USDA 2 is the industry average
• C. USDA 5 is the industry average
• D. USDA 3 is the industry average

Answer: (D)

Beef yield grades indicate how much boneless, closely trimmed retail beef a carcass is expected to yield. They run from 1 to 5, where 1 is the highest cutability and 5 is the lowest. The grade is calculated using factors that affect meat yield: fat thickness, ribeye area, hot carcass weight, and kidney–pelvic–heart fat. Because most carcasses fall in the middle of the spectrum, the industry average yield grade is around 3. So stating that the industry average is a yield grade of 3 aligns with how most carcasses rate for yield. Remember, yield grade is about quantity of edible product, not the eating quality or marbling of the meat, which is a separate quality grade.

Beef yield grades indicate how much boneless, closely trimmed retail beef a carcass is expected to yield. They run from 1 to 5, where 1 is the highest cutability and 5 is the lowest. The grade is calculated using factors that affect meat yield: fat thickness, ribeye area, hot carcass weight, and kidney–pelvic–heart fat. Because most carcasses fall in the middle of the spectrum, the industry average yield grade is around 3. So stating that the industry average is a yield grade of 3 aligns with how most carcasses rate for yield. Remember, yield grade is about quantity of edible product, not the eating quality or marbling of the meat, which is a separate quality grade.