Feeder Calf Grades:
Do Better Grades Really Pay?
David Gonsoulin
USDA
What is a Number 1 Calf?
I Do not know how to describe it, but when I see one, I
know it.
It has to be a good doing calf.
It has to be a black hided, stand up, big boned, straight
backed type animal.
It has to be Medium to Large Frame with thick muscle.
If it fits the order, it will do.
Number 1?
Is this a Number 1?
Is this a Number 1?
Are these 1 ½?
Do I Get Paid For What I Have?
Current Feeder Cattle Grades
1979 -2006
Frame Size
Muscle Score
Thriftiness
Frame Size
Refers to the animals skeletal size –
Height and body length—in relation to its age.
Thus frame size evaluations are related to
differences in mature size.
Refers to weight (under normal feeding and
management conditions) an animal will produce
a carcass which will grade Choice.
Evaluating Frame Size
H
i
p
H
e
i
g
h
t
Flank to Flank
Chest
to
Ground
What are the Frame Sizes?
Large
Medium
Small
Large Frame
Large Frame cattle are thrifty, tall and long
bodied for their age.
Steers grade Choice at weights greater
than 1250 lbs.
Heifers greater than 1150 lbs
Large Frame
Medium Frame
Medium Frame cattle are thrifty, are slightly
tall and have slightly long bodies.
Steers grade Choice between 1100 lbs
and 1250 lbs.
Heifers grade Choice between 1000 lbs
and 1150 lbs
Medium Frame
Small Frame
Small Frame cattle are thrifty, and not as
tall or long bodied as the Medium Frame
animal
Steers grade Choice below 1100 lbs.
Heifers grade Choice below 1000 lbs
Small Frame
Frame
Steers
Large
1250 lbs
Medium
1100 lbs
Small under 1100 lbs
Heifers
1150 Lbs
1000 lbs
1000 lbs
What do buyers pay for?
Summary of Sale Barns
Frame
High
Large
Large
OK.
KS.
AR.
AL.
Avg
-4.78
Base
Base
Base Base
Base
Upper
Medium
Medium
-1.33
-.06
Base Base
-.69
-3.40
-1.16
-5.84
-2.28
Small
-18.86
-8.93
-10.60 -16.55
22.84
Muscle Score
Thickness
Thickness refers to the development of the
muscle system in relation to skeletal size.
Thicker feeder cattle will have a higher ratio
of muscle to bone when fed to the same
degree of fatness and will have higher
yield grades.
Muscle Grades
#1 = Thick Or Heavy Muscling
#2 = Average Muscling
#3 = Thin Or Light Muscling
#4 = Extremely Light Muscling
(Starved Jersey)
# 1 Muscle
1++
1--
Average #2
# 3 Muscle
3++
3--
# 4 Muscle
Muscle Grades
# 1
# 2
# 3
# 4
Possible Feeder Cattle Grades
 Large Frame #1,#2,#3 or #4
 Medium Frame #1,#2,#3 or #4
 Small Frame #1,#2,#3 or #4
 Inferior – This grade will include sick
unthrifty cattle and double muscled
cattle due to their inability to Quality
grade.
Prices for Muscle
1 Heavy
Muscle
2 Average
Muscle
3 Thin
Muscle
4 Very
Thin
Muscle
Ok.
KS.
AR.
AL.
Base
Base
Base
Base
-9.37
-3.50
-9.14
-5.86
Avg.
-6.97
-26.48 -15.30 -24.17 -18.39 -21.08
-22.65 -38.24
-30.45
Thrifty/Healthy
OK.
KS.
AR.
AL.
Avg
Dead
-2.62
Hair/Mud
Bad Eye -9.71
-1.11
12.55
-5.42
-2.83
-13.71
-8.75
Stale
-6.91
-5.06
-18.09
-10.02
Lame
Lumps
Sick
-21.56 -14.00 -33.36
-22.97
-28.62 -17.95 -37.88
-28.15
USDA Feeder Cattle Grades
Inferior
Feeder Cattle
Value Determining Factors
 Background
 Breed
 Color
 Condition/Flesh
 Fill
 Frame
 Horns
 Muscling
 Personal Preference
 Sex
 Vaccinations
 Weight
Does Color Make A Difference?
Arkansas Extension 2005
Color
Yellow
Deviation From Average
+2.19
Black/Whiteface
+1.93
Black
+1.14
White
-2.09
Red/Whiteface
-3.52
Red
-4.18
Spot
-10.73
Other Factors
Factor
Deviation
from Average
Calf with Horns -3.23
Fleshy Calf
-5.82
Fat Calf
-16.12
Full Calf
-8.05
Throw It All Together
You have a Small Frame, Number 3 Muscle,
Full, Red Calf with Horns.
Small (-16.55) Number 3 (-21.08), Full
(-8.05), Red Calf (-4.18) with Horns (-3.23)
Total -53.09
David Gonsoulin
USDA, Livestock & Grain Market
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