Materials for Teaching Youth About Beef

Quality Assurance

NACAA Annual Meeting &Professional Improvement

Conferences Cincinnati, OH

Lyle HolmgrenUtah State University Extension

lyleh@ext.usu.edu

March 2, 2006

Youth livestock projects provide unequaled potential for the education and personal development of youth.

Ideal Carcass Weight?

• 650 lbs• 750 lbs• 850 lbs

Ideal Carcass Weight?

• 650 lbs• 750 lbs• 850 lbs

Ideal Ribeye Size?

• 8.5 – 10 in2

• 9.5 – 11 in2

• 11.0 – 14 in2

• 12.5 – 15 in2

• Anything greater than 14 in2

Ideal Ribeye Size?

• 8.5 – 10 in2

• 9.5 – 11 in2

• 11.0 – 14 in2

• 12.5 – 14 in2

• Anything greater than 14 in2

Source: NCBA

What is Yield Grade?

• The amount of salable meat the carcass will yield.

• A numerical value from 1 to 5.

• Measured from the round, loin, rib, and chuck.

• Closely related to Percent Retail Cuts.

What is Yield Grade?

• The amount of salable meat the carcass will yield.

• A numerical value from 1 to 5.

• Measured from the round, loin, rib, and chuck.

• Closely related to Percent Retail Cuts.

What Factor is Not Part of the Quality Grade?

• The interdispersion of fat in the muscle tissue.

• Estimated on cattle between the 12th & 13th rib.

• The age of the beef at time of slaughter.

• Average Daily Gain• The color of the

muscle tissue.

What Factor is Not Part of the Quality Grade?

• The interdispersion of fat in the muscle tissue.

• Estimated on steers between the 12th & 13th rib.

• The age of the beef at time of slaughter.

• Average Daily Gain• The color of the

muscle tissue.

Why Should Youth and Leaders be Concerned

about Beef Quality Assurance?

Learn How to Show an Animal

95.3

4.7

97.8

2.20

20

40

60

80

100

SWJL BEJL

Yes No

Learn How to Groom an Animal

94.5

5.5

96.4

3.60

20

40

60

80

100

SWJL BEJL

Yes No

Learn About Animal Reproduction

57.542.5 44.4

55.6

0

20

40

60

80

100

SWJL BEJL

Yes No

Learn About Careers in Agriculture

40.2

59.8

33.1

66.9

0

20

40

60

80

100

SWJL BEJL

Yes No

Learn About Determining the Cost of Raising an Animal

71.7

28.3

90.5

9.5

0

20

40

60

80

100

SWJL BEJL

Yes No

Learn to Appreciate Animal Products

80

20

68.7

28.2

0

20

40

60

80

100

SWJL BEJL

Yes No

Three Areas of Jr. BQA Focus

• Increase Awareness

• Youth will learn principles of BQA.

• Provide leaders, parents,agents, FFA advisors, etc., with teaching materials.

Help youth gain a better understanding of the beef industry.

Research shows that many youth are trained in fitting and showing their steers but do not associate their project with the

overall beef industry.

Help Youth, Parents and Leaders Learn Principles of BQA

What is Beef Quality Assurance?

For Youth It Means…

Improving the Quality of the Meat

Reducing the Incidence of Producer Caused Quality Problems

And Ensuring that Best Management Practices are

Followed

Who is Responsible?

Producers including Youth with Livestock Projects

Food Processors

Retailers

Consumers and Restaurants

What Are Our Responsibilities?

• Identification

• Prevention & Responsibility

• Handling

• Health Care

• Carcass Quality

Identification

Prevention

Responsibility

Agreement with Processors

Record Keeping

Handling

Rations and Feeding

Health Care

Injection Site Lesions

Injection Site Lesions

Incidence of lesions in top sirloin butts has dropped from 11% in 1995 to 2% in 2000. -- Source: NBQA 2000

Injection Locations

Consumer Confidence

Materials

• Beef Evaluation• Industry Quality

Report Cards• Total Quality Mgmt.• Beef Processing

Technology.• Calf Data Sheets for

Practice Evaluation.

4-H & FFA Materials

Quality

“4-H and FFA youth are making changes to and are committed to meeting or exceeding the expectations of consumers.”

Acknowledgements

• Dale Zobell, USU Beef Specialist• C. Kim Chapman, USU Animal Scientist• Samantha Nicholas, 4-H Assistant• Ross Jacobson, USU 4-H Animal Project

Director• University of Nebraska• Colorado State University

Thank You!

Questions?