Not your average beef: Innovations in USDA remote beef grading
For many small processors, getting beef officially graded can be a challenge. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has developed a Remote Beef Grading Program (RGP) that is removing much of that burden by allowing plants to submit carcass information digitally rather than relying on in‑person graders.
Jodie Pitcock, a USDA manager overseeing the RGP, joined Dr. Brad Morgan, a fresh foods processing expert from Three Rivers Meat Company in Oklahoma, for a recent webinar explaining how the system works and why it’s becoming an increasingly valuable option for smaller operations which often grade five to 50 carcasses at a time.
How the Remote Grading Process Works
After a straightforward application process, producers begin by receiving USDA training on the program’s basic self‑service procedures, including proper carcass ribbing and how to capture standardized images using a USDA‑provided lighting hood. These steps ensure that every submission meets the visual requirements needed for accurate grading.
A carcass is required to be chilled for at least 24 hours before photos are taken. Once the images are captured, they are uploaded to a secure cloud vault accessible only to USDA grading specialists. All analysts use identical viewing technology with uniform brightness and contrast settings, which helps maintain grading consistency across the country. Identification tags must also be included within the frame of the photographs.
After submission, producers are guaranteed to receive grading results within 24 hours. Carcasses will be graded as USDA Prime and USDA Choice, the standard supply chain designations.
What’s Coming Next
USDA is continuing to streamline the process of remote meat grading. A new mobile app is in development that will allow processors to submit required information in under a minute, further reducing the time and labor involved.
This development cannot come soon enough, as on Feb. 6 President Donald Trump signed an executive order to expand beef imports from Argentina as consumers face higher prices amid supply constraints impacting the U.S. cattle industry. The faster American beef farmers and processors can get their products to market, the better for them and the nation’s economy.
Costs & Submission Details
Service fees vary among producers but range between $1,500 and $3,000. Specific charges are discussed after a producer submits an application and before USDA conducts the onboarding visit.
Each submission also carries a per‑carcass fee, so processors can save money by submitting carcass data in batches.
How to Get Started
To begin the application process, contact Jodie Pitcock at 816.351.5152 or Jodie.Pitcock@usda.gov. Additional information about the RGP is available at ams.usda.gov/services/remote-beef-grading or by contacting the AMS Livestock & Poultry Program at AskLP@usda.gov.
by Joseph Armstrong
