82 FR 57569 - United States Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 233 (December 6, 2017)

Page Range		57569-57570
FR Document		2017-26273

The Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is revising the United States Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef (beef standards) to allow dentition and documentation of actual age as additional methods of classifying maturity of carcasses presented to USDA for official quality grading.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 233 (Wednesday, December 6, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 233 (Wednesday, December 6, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57569-57570]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26273]


========================================================================
Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 233 / Wednesday, December 6, 2017 / 
Notices

[[Page 57569]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-LPS-16-0060-0001]


United States Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture is revising the United States Standards for Grades of 
Carcass Beef (beef standards) to allow dentition and documentation of 
actual age as additional methods of classifying maturity of carcasses 
presented to USDA for official quality grading.

DATES: These new standards shall be implemented on December 18, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bucky Gwartney, Standardization 
Branch, Quality Assessment Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed 
Program, AMS, USDA; 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0258; 
Washington, DC 20250-0258; phone (202) 720-1424.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    In order to update certain elements in the United States Standards 
for Grades of Carcass Beef (beef standards), this document makes 
changes that allow dentition and documentation of actual age as 
additional methods of classifying maturity of carcasses presented to 
USDA for official quality grading.
    Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as 
amended (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.), directs and authorizes the Secretary 
of Agriculture ``to develop and improve standards of quality, 
condition, quantity, grade, and packaging and recommend and demonstrate 
such standards in order to encourage uniformity and consistency in 
commercial practices.'' AMS is committed to carrying out this authority 
in a manner that facilitates the marketing of agricultural commodities 
and makes copies of official standards available upon request. While 
the beef standards do not appear in the Code of Federal regulations, 
the updated beef standards--along with other official standards--are 
maintained by USDA at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards. To 
change the beef standards, AMS utilized the procedures it published in 
the August 13, 1997, Federal Register and that appear in 7 CFR part 36.

Comments

    A public request for comment on potential changes to the beef 
standards was published by AMS in a Notice in the Federal Register (81 
FR 57877) on August 24, 2016. AMS received 236 total comments, of which 
179 commenters favored revising the beef standards to include dentition 
and documented age as additional methods for maturity classification 
and 53 commenters did not support making the changes. Two comments were 
submitted in duplicate and one comment was submitted in triplicate; 
each of these respective submissions was counted only once. It is 
noteworthy that 160 of the 179 favorable comments were the same form 
letter and were from producers. Using this public feedback, AMS 
published a notice in the Federal Register on June 19, 2017 (82 FR 
27782), requesting comments on a specific change to the beef standards 
as well as addressing some of the questions raised during the first 
comment period.
    AMS received 21 total comments on the June 19, 2017, notice. 
Fourteen comments were in favor of the proposed changes as written and 
highlighted the positive effect this would have on beef producers and 
the industry. The supporting comments represented a large packer/
processor, a producer, and several state and national farm-related 
associations. Commenters who supported the changes cited an anticipated 
increase in the number of carcasses that would qualify for USDA grades 
of Prime, Choice, and Select without a significant reduction in 
palatability for those grades; the anticipated profitability producers 
would gain by having more carcasses receiving a higher grade; and 
support for the science-based Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research 
Board-funded research that commenters showed in the previous notices. 
Many agricultural associations that represent cattle producers provided 
favorable comments in support of the changes. Several organizations 
urged AMS to make the revisions quickly because the process has been 
ongoing for some time.
    Seven of the comments were opposed to the changes and provided a 
range of reasons. One of the negative commenters identified themselves 
as a producer. Several commenters asserted that the research studies 
cited in the previous notices were not significant or large enough or 
representative enough to make this change. In response, AMS determined 
that all studies referenced in the previous notices--including those 
that found that carcasses exhibiting advanced skeletal maturity when 
determined by dentition to be under 30 months of age (MOA) produced 
meat that was as palatable in taste tests as meat produced from 
carcasses that did not exhibit signs of advanced skeletal maturity--
were peer-reviewed and adequately designed to answer the study 
objectives and hypotheses. Statistical significance and statistical 
power of the test will increase with an increased sample size, in small 
increments, but add significant costs. Several commenters stated that 
the changes would produce an inferior product as related to the current 
grade standards and that this change would benefit only the packing 
industry and not producers. In response, AMS notes that the majority of 
grain-finished cattle are harvested at 12 to 24 MOA and usually produce 
A-maturity beef. In other words, the vast majority of cattle offered 
for grading will not be affected by this proposed change. That said, a 
percentage of carcasses that currently are evaluated as B- or C-
maturity but are produced from cattle under 30 MOA would be eligible 
for grading under the proposed system. Based on AMS's estimates 
outlined in ``Economic Assessment of the Request to Modernize the U.S. 
Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef,'' roughly an additional 1 percent 
of cattle would be eligible for grading. The research outlined here 
does not show any trends towards an inferior product being produced if 
dentition is implemented.

[[Page 57570]]

    These comments can be accessed at: https://www.regulations.gov/docketBrowser?rpp=50&so=DESC&sb=postedDate&po=0&dct=PS&D=AMS-LPS-16-0060.
    The amendments to the beef standards are described below:

United States Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef

54.104--Application of Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef

    1. Amend 54.104 by revising paragraph (k) to read as follows:
    (k) For steer, heifer, and cow beef, quality of the lean is 
evaluated by considering its marbling, color, and firmness as observed 
in a cut surface, in relation to carcass evidences of maturity. The 
maturity of the carcass is determined through one of three methods:
    (1) Dentition as monitored by the Food Safety and Inspection 
Service (FSIS). Carcasses determined to be less than 30 months of age 
(MOA) will be classified as A-maturity, and with the exception of dark 
cutting lean characteristics, the final quality grade will be 
determined by the degree of marbling. Any carcasses under 30 MOA 
exhibiting advanced skeletal maturity traits (as described for D- and 
E-maturity) will not be eligible for the Prime, Choice, Select, or 
Standard grades and will be graded according to their skeletal, lean, 
and marbling traits accordingly;
    (2) Documentation of age as verified through USDA-approved programs 
and by FSIS at the slaughter facility. Carcasses determined to be less 
than 30 MOA by age verification will be classified as A-maturity and, 
with the exception of dark cutting lean characteristics, the final 
quality grade will be determined by the degree of marbling. Any 
carcasses under 30 MOA exhibiting advanced skeletal maturity traits (as 
described for D- and E-maturity) will not be eligible for the Prime, 
Choice, Select, or Standard grades and will be graded according to 
their skeletal, lean, and marbling traits accordingly; or
    (3) Through evaluation of the size, shape, and ossification of the 
bones and cartilages, especially the split chine bones, and the color 
and texture of the lean flesh. Carcasses determined to be greater than 
30 MOA will be eligible for all quality grade classifications with the 
final quality grade being determined by the evaluation of the degree of 
marbling and any adjustment factors based on advanced skeletal maturity 
characteristics. In the split chine bones, ossification changes occur 
at an earlier stage of maturity in the posterior portion of the 
vertebral column (sacral vertebrae) and at progressively later stages 
of maturity in the lumbar and thoracic vertebrae. The ossification 
changes that occur in the cartilages on the ends of the split thoracic 
vertebrae are especially useful in evaluating maturity and these 
vertebrae are referred to frequently in the standards. Unless otherwise 
specified in the standards, whenever reference is made to the 
ossification of cartilages on the thoracic vertebrae, it shall be 
construed to refer to the cartilages attached to the thoracic vertebrae 
at the posterior end of the forequarter. The size and shape of the rib 
bones are also important considerations in evaluating differences in 
maturity. In the very youngest carcasses considered as ``beef,'' the 
cartilages on the ends of the chine bones show no ossification, 
cartilage is evident on all of the vertebrae of the spinal column, and 
the sacral vertebrae show distinct separation. In addition, the split 
vertebrae usually are soft and porous and very red in color. In such 
carcasses, the rib bones have only a slight tendency toward flatness. 
In progressively more mature carcasses, ossification changes become 
evident first in the bones and cartilages of the sacral vertebrae, then 
in the lumbar vertebrae, and still later in the thoracic vertebrae. In 
beef that is very advanced in maturity, all the split vertebrae will be 
devoid of red color and very hard and flinty, and the cartilages on the 
ends of all the vertebrae will be entirely ossified. Likewise, with 
advancing maturity, the rib bones will become progressively wider and 
flatter, which is shown in very mature beef whose ribs will be very 
wide and flat.
* * * * *

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.

    Dated: December 1, 2017.
Bruce Summers,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-26273 Filed 12-5-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P

57569

Notices Federal Register
Vol. 82, No. 233

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER marketing of agricultural commodities previous notices. Many agricultural
contains documents other than rules or and makes copies of official standards associations that represent cattle
proposed rules that are applicable to the available upon request. While the beef producers provided favorable comments
public. Notices of hearings and investigations, standards do not appear in the Code of in support of the changes. Several
committee meetings, agency decisions and Federal regulations, the updated beef
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of organizations urged AMS to make the
petitions and applications and agency
standards—along with other official revisions quickly because the process
statements of organization and functions are standards—are maintained by USDA at: has been ongoing for some time.
examples of documents appearing in this https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-
standards. To change the beef standards, Seven of the comments were opposed
section.
AMS utilized the procedures it to the changes and provided a range of
published in the August 13, 1997, reasons. One of the negative
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Federal Register and that appear in 7 commenters identified themselves as a
CFR part 36. producer. Several commenters asserted
Agricultural Marketing Service that the research studies cited in the
Comments previous notices were not significant or
[Doc. No. AMS–LPS–16–0060–0001]
A public request for comment on large enough or representative enough
United States Standards for Grades of potential changes to the beef standards to make this change. In response, AMS
Carcass Beef was published by AMS in a Notice in determined that all studies referenced in
the Federal Register (81 FR 57877) on the previous notices—including those
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, August 24, 2016. AMS received 236 that found that carcasses exhibiting
USDA. total comments, of which 179 advanced skeletal maturity when
ACTION: Notice. commenters favored revising the beef determined by dentition to be under 30
standards to include dentition and months of age (MOA) produced meat
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing documented age as additional methods
Service of the U.S. Department of that was as palatable in taste tests as
for maturity classification and 53 meat produced from carcasses that did
Agriculture is revising the United States commenters did not support making the
Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef not exhibit signs of advanced skeletal
changes. Two comments were submitted maturity—were peer-reviewed and
(beef standards) to allow dentition and in duplicate and one comment was
documentation of actual age as adequately designed to answer the study
submitted in triplicate; each of these objectives and hypotheses. Statistical
additional methods of classifying respective submissions was counted
maturity of carcasses presented to significance and statistical power of the
only once. It is noteworthy that 160 of
USDA for official quality grading. test will increase with an increased
the 179 favorable comments were the
DATES: These new standards shall be sample size, in small increments, but
same form letter and were from
implemented on December 18, 2017. producers. Using this public feedback, add significant costs. Several
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: AMS published a notice in the Federal commenters stated that the changes
Bucky Gwartney, Standardization Register on June 19, 2017 (82 FR 27782), would produce an inferior product as
Branch, Quality Assessment Division, requesting comments on a specific related to the current grade standards
Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, change to the beef standards as well as and that this change would benefit only
AMS, USDA; 1400 Independence addressing some of the questions raised the packing industry and not producers.
Avenue SW., STOP 0258; Washington, during the first comment period. In response, AMS notes that the
DC 20250–0258; phone (202) 720–1424. AMS received 21 total comments on majority of grain-finished cattle are
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: the June 19, 2017, notice. Fourteen harvested at 12 to 24 MOA and usually
In order to update certain elements in comments were in favor of the proposed produce A-maturity beef. In other
the United States Standards for Grades changes as written and highlighted the words, the vast majority of cattle offered
of Carcass Beef (beef standards), this positive effect this would have on beef for grading will not be affected by this
document makes changes that allow producers and the industry. The proposed change. That said, a
dentition and documentation of actual supporting comments represented a percentage of carcasses that currently
age as additional methods of classifying large packer/processor, a producer, and are evaluated as B- or C-maturity but are
maturity of carcasses presented to several state and national farm-related produced from cattle under 30 MOA
USDA for official quality grading. associations. Commenters who would be eligible for grading under the
Section 203(c) of the Agricultural supported the changes cited an proposed system. Based on AMS’s
Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (7 anticipated increase in the number of estimates outlined in ‘‘Economic
U.S.C. 1621 et seq.), directs and carcasses that would qualify for USDA Assessment of the Request to Modernize
authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture grades of Prime, Choice, and Select the U.S. Standards for Grades of Carcass
‘‘to develop and improve standards of without a significant reduction in Beef,’’ roughly an additional 1 percent
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES

quality, condition, quantity, grade, and palatability for those grades; the of cattle would be eligible for grading.
packaging and recommend and anticipated profitability producers
The research outlined here does not
demonstrate such standards in order to would gain by having more carcasses
show any trends towards an inferior
encourage uniformity and consistency receiving a higher grade; and support for
product being produced if dentition is
in commercial practices.’’ AMS is the science-based Cattlemen’s Beef
committed to carrying out this authority Promotion and Research Board-funded implemented.
in a manner that facilitates the research that commenters showed in the

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57570 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 233 / Wednesday, December 6, 2017 / Notices

These comments can be accessed at: stage of maturity in the posterior portion Telecommunications Program. RUS
https://www.regulations.gov/ of the vertebral column (sacral announces the depreciation rates for
docketBrowser?rpp=50& vertebrae) and at progressively later telecommunications plant for the period
so=DESC&sb=postedDate&po=0&dct= stages of maturity in the lumbar and ending December 31, 2016.
PS&D=AMS-LPS-16-0060. thoracic vertebrae. The ossification DATES: These rates are effective
The amendments to the beef changes that occur in the cartilages on immediately and will remain in effect
standards are described below: the ends of the split thoracic vertebrae until rates are available for the period
are especially useful in evaluating ending December 31, 2017.
United States Standards for Grades of
maturity and these vertebrae are referred FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Carcass Beef to frequently in the standards. Unless Chad Parker, Assistant Administrator,
54.104—Application of Standards for otherwise specified in the standards, Telecommunications Program, Rural
Grades of Carcass Beef whenever reference is made to the Utilities Service, STOP 1590—Room
1. Amend 54.104 by revising ossification of cartilages on the thoracic 5151, 1400 Independence Avenue SW.,
vertebrae, it shall be construed to refer Washington, DC 20250–1590.
paragraph (k) to read as follows:
(k) For steer, heifer, and cow beef, to the cartilages attached to the thoracic Telephone: (202) 720–9556.
quality of the lean is evaluated by vertebrae at the posterior end of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 7 CFR
forequarter. The size and shape of the part 1737, Pre-Loan Policies and
considering its marbling, color, and
rib bones are also important Procedures Common to Insured and
firmness as observed in a cut surface, in
considerations in evaluating differences Guaranteed Telecommunications Loans,
relation to carcass evidences of
in maturity. In the very youngest
maturity. The maturity of the carcass is § 1737.70(e) explains the depreciation
carcasses considered as ‘‘beef,’’ the
determined through one of three rates that are used by RUS in its
cartilages on the ends of the chine bones
methods: feasibility studies. Section 1737.70(e)(2)
show no ossification, cartilage is evident
(1) Dentition as monitored by the refers to median depreciation rates
on all of the vertebrae of the spinal
Food Safety and Inspection Service published by RUS for all borrowers. The
column, and the sacral vertebrae show
(FSIS). Carcasses determined to be less following chart provides those rates,
distinct separation. In addition, the split
than 30 months of age (MOA) will be compiled by RUS, for the reporting
vertebrae usually are soft and porous
classified as A-maturity, and with the period ending December 31, 2016:
and very red in color. In such carcasses,
exception of dark cutting lean
the rib bones have only a slight
characteristics, the final quality grade tendency toward flatness. In
MEDIAN DEPRECIATION RATES OF
will be determined by the degree of progressively more mature carcasses, RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE BOR-
marbling. Any carcasses under 30 MOA ossification changes become evident ROWERS BY EQUIPMENT CATEGORY
exhibiting advanced skeletal maturity first in the bones and cartilages of the FOR PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 31,
traits (as described for D- and E- sacral vertebrae, then in the lumbar 2016
maturity) will not be eligible for the vertebrae, and still later in the thoracic
Prime, Choice, Select, or Standard vertebrae. In beef that is very advanced Telecommunications plant Depreciation
grades and will be graded according to in maturity, all the split vertebrae will category rate
their skeletal, lean, and marbling traits be devoid of red color and very hard
accordingly; 1. Land and Support Assets:
and flinty, and the cartilages on the a. Motor vehicles ............... 16.67
(2) Documentation of age as verified ends of all the vertebrae will be entirely b. Aircraft ........................... 11.70
through USDA-approved programs and ossified. Likewise, with advancing c. Special purpose vehi-
by FSIS at the slaughter facility. maturity, the rib bones will become cles ................................ 12.50
Carcasses determined to be less than 30 progressively wider and flatter, which is d. Garage and other work
MOA by age verification will be shown in very mature beef whose ribs equipment ...................... 10.00
classified as A-maturity and, with the will be very wide and flat. e. Buildings ....................... 3.30
exception of dark cutting lean f. Furniture and office
* * * * * equipment ...................... 10.00
characteristics, the final quality grade
will be determined by the degree of Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. g. General purpose com-
puters ............................. 20.00
marbling. Any carcasses under 30 MOA Dated: December 1, 2017. 2. Central Office Switching:
exhibiting advanced skeletal maturity Bruce Summers, a. Digital ............................ 9.44
traits (as described for D- and E- Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing b. Analog & Electro-me-
maturity) will not be eligible for the Service. chanical ......................... 10.00
Prime, Choice, Select, or Standard [FR Doc. 2017–26273 Filed 12–5–17; 8:45 am] c. Operator Systems ......... 9.55
grades and will be graded according to 3. Central Office Trans-
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
their skeletal, lean, and marbling traits mission:
accordingly; or a. Radio Systems .............. 10.00
b. Circuit equipment .......... 10.00
(3) Through evaluation of the size, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 4. Information origination/ter-
shape, and ossification of the bones and mination:
cartilages, especially the split chine Rural Utilities Service a. Station apparatus .......... 11.90
bones, and the color and texture of the b. Customer premises wir-
lean flesh. Carcasses determined to be Publication of Depreciation Rates ing .................................. 10.30
greater than 30 MOA will be eligible for AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. c. Large private branch ex-
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES

all quality grade classifications with the changes ......................... 10.96
ACTION: Notice of Depreciation Rates for d. Public telephone ter-
final quality grade being determined by Telecommunications Plant. minal equipment ............ 11.78
the evaluation of the degree of marbling e. Other terminal equip-
and any adjustment factors based on SUMMARY: The United States Department ment ............................... 10.20
advanced skeletal maturity of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities 5. Cable and wire facilities:
characteristics. In the split chine bones, Service (RUS) administers rural utilities a. Aerial cable—poles ....... 6.00
ossification changes occur at an earlier programs, including the b. Aerial cable—metal ....... 6.00

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Document Created: 2017-12-06 00:22:25
Document Modified: 2017-12-06 00:22:25

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		These new standards shall be implemented on December 18, 2017.
Contact		Bucky Gwartney, Standardization Branch, Quality Assessment Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, USDA; 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0258; Washington, DC 20250-0258; phone (202) 720-1424.
FR Citation		82 FR 57569

82 FR 57569 - United States Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREAgricultural Marketing Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 233 (December 6, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service