Beef Quality Challenges

The importance of beef quality assurance can be seen when analyzing the top eight quality challenges within the beef industry. These challenges include injection site blemishes, rib brands, excessive external fat, excessive seam fat, dark cutters, and inconsistent size of meat cuts, inconsistent cuts and non-uniform cattle.

 

The Beef Quality Assurance program provides management recommendations to improve beef quality, increase the value of your cattle and continue to increase beef demand. Our goal is to provide the consumer with an enjoyable eating experience every time they choose beef. Beef demand is increasing because the industry has become more consumer focused.

 

Checkoff dollars have helped roll out Beef Quality Assurance initiatives nationwide. BQA programs have been developed to increase awareness of management practices that can positively influence the safety, quality and wholesomeness of beef.

 

What Is Beef Quality?

Beef quality is the production of beef that consistently meets or exceeds customer expectations. Expectations may include: Taste, tenderness, nutrition, value, packaging, color, safety, leanness, ease of preparation, or any attribute important to the consumer.

Ultimately, the consumer must be provided with proper cooking and handling information to assure food safety and eating quality. Beef demand will be improved by producing a safe, wholesome and consistently tender product that exceeds consumer expectations with every eating experience.

 

By following the simple procedures outlined in this training manual, beef and dairy producers can ensure that the beef they are producing meets the highest standards of quality, consistency and safety that the American consumer demands.