Department of Animal & Food Sciences

Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Swine Discovery: Grading Market Hogs

Determining U.S.D.A. Grades and Calculating Percent Lean

Determining U.S.D.A. Grade

Determining U.S.D.A. Grade

Grading market hogs to determine a numerical U.S.D.A. grade is a two step process:

Step 1:

Estimate last rib fat to determine an initial U.S.D.A. grade

Step 2:

Estimate muscle score and adjust the initial U.S.D.A. grade to account for muscling to arrive at a final grade.

Growth Curve

step 1 estimating last rib fat

Step 1 Estimating Last Rib Fat

Step 1 Estimating Last Rib Fat Getting Fat

Step 1 Estimating Last Rib Fat Nasty Fat

Step 1 Estimating Last Rib Fat Lean vs fat

Let's test our skills on estimating last rib fat and determining an initial USDA grade.

whats the rib fat and initial usda grade

whats the last rib fat and initial usda grade answer

whats the last rib fat and initial usda grade

whats the last rib fat and initial usda grade2 answer 2

whats the last rib fat and initial usda grade3

whats the last rib fat and initial usda grade3 answer

whats the last rib fat and initial usda grade4

whats the last rib fat and initial usda grade4 answer 2

whats the last rib fat and initial usda grade5 2

whats the last rib fat and initial usda grade5 answer 2

Step 2 Estimating Muscle Score

Step 2 Estimating Muscle Score Thick Moderate Thin

Step 2 Estimating Muscle Score Thick Moderate Thin

Let's test our skills on estimating muscle score and adjusting the initial USDA grade.

whats the muscle score and usda grade adjustment 2

whats the muscle score and usda grade adjustment answer 2

whats the muscle score and usda grade adjustment2 2

what the muscle score and usda grade adjustment2 answer 2

whats the muscle score and usda grade adjustments3 2

whats the muscle score and usda grade adjustment3 answer 2

whats the muscle score and usda grade adjustment4 2

whats the muscle score and usda grade adjustmnet4 answer 2

Let's put together our evaluation of fat and muscle and determine the USDA grade.

whats the usda grade1 2

whats the usda grade1 answer 2

whats the usda grade2 2

whats the usda grade2 answer 2

whats the usda grade3

whats the usda grade3 answer 2

whats the usda grade4

whats the usda grade4 answer

Calculating Percentage Lean text

Standard for Calculated Percent Lean

Adjustments for calculating Percent Lean

Example Percent Lean Adjustments

Estimating Carcass Weight

Estimating Loin Eye Area

Step 2 Estimating Muscle Score Thin Moderate Thick Very Thick

Estimating 10th Rib Fat

Estimating 10th Rib Fat Lean Muscled Machine

Estimating 10th Rib Fat Moderate Muscle with Fat Cover

Step 1 Estimating 10th Rib Fat

Let's put it all together and calculate percent lean.

whats the percent lean1

whats the percent lean1 answer

whats the percent lean2

whats the percent lean2 answer

whats the percent lean3

whats the percent lean3 answer

whats the percent lean4

whats the percent lean4 answer

You are ready to grade market hogs.

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Scott Radcliffe
Department Chair

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