The packer processes the cattle into meat and other products . At the processing plant , cattle are converted from beef on the hoof to beef for the table . For example , a 1,000 pound steer does not produce 1,000 pounds of meat . It produces about 459 pounds of meat , 358 pounds of hide , bone , hooves , inedible glands , and organs and 183 pounds of fat and other products .
There are inspections throughout the processing of meat . All meat sold must , by federal law , pass inspection for wholesomeness ( safety ). The meat is kept in coolers for 24 to 48 hours . It is then graded , which means USDA specialists rank the meat for quality . Quality refers to the characteristics associated with the palatability ( tenderness , juiciness , and flavor ) of the meat . The grade of beef with the most marbling is labeled “ Prime ” which is considered the best and is the most costly . You may see “ Choice ” and “ Select ” grades in your supermarket . “ Choice ” is second in the amount of marbling and “ Select ” has the least amount of marbling and thus the least amount of fat . All grades of beef can be very good when cooked properly . After the beef is graded , processed , and packaged , refrigerated trucks take the beef to stores and restaurants .
Getting beef from the range to the table is not as simple as it might seem . Prices cattle producers receive for their cattle are determined by supply and demand for cattle at the time of sale . Cattle producers do not set a price for their cattle like manufacturing companies set a price for their products . When cattle are ready to go to market , they must be sold . If everyone is selling cattle and there are many cattle available , the price for the cattle drops . If there are few cattle for sale and many people wanting to buy them , the price for cattle goes up . This is the free market system .
How old are the cattle when they reach the processing plant ? In the example on page 11 , what is the percentage of meat from a 1200 pound steer ? If a 1200 pound steer produces 50 % meat , how many pounds of meat would be produced ? If the same steer produced 54 % meat , how many pounds of meat would be produced ?
Re-read pages 11-12 . Choose one of these statements to write about : 1 . Summarize the major points of cattle production . 2 . Identify the people involved at the different stages of cattle production .