Value-Added Beef Workshop: What You Should Know About Beef Quality and Meat Cuts

Published by Editor on October 23, 2013.
Published under Agriculture News

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November 4, 2013—Knoxville – 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

November 5, 2013—Murfreesboro – 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

November 6, 2013—Jackson – 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

 

The workshop will include presentations and discussion on:

  • Factors Affecting Carcass Yield  – Conversion of Cattle to Carcass, Yield of Saleable Product, USDA Yield Grades
  • Factors Affecting Meat Quality – USDA Quality Grades; Importance of Lean Color, Texture & Marbling; Traits Affecting Beef Tenderness & Flavor (production system, marbling, aging, etc.)
  • Factors Affecting Beef Storage and Safety – Packaging Alternatives, Freezing Techniques, Storage Conditions

Workshop presented by: Dr. Dwight Loveday, Associate Professor Food Science and Technology, University of Tennessee

This workshop qualifies as a “half-credit” toward the educational requirements for 50% TAEP cost share for agriculture diversification programs. For a full credit, the “half-credit” from this workshop must be combined with the “half-credit” available by participating in the “Production and Cost Considerations for Finishing Animals for Direct Marketing” workshop. Both “half-credit” workshops must be completed by December 31, 2013.

To pre-register, please contact Nancy Austin at the University of Tennessee Food Science and Technology Department by phone at 865-974-7717 or by e-mail at naustin@utk.edu.

Pre-registration required by October 30. A meal will be provided.

More information online at https://ag.tennessee.edu/cpa/Documents/Workshops,%20Seminars%20and%20Webinars/VA_Beef_Workshop-Loveday.pdf
New USDA Report Adds Market Transparency for Grass Fed Beef Industry
WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2013 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced a new Market News report that covers grass fed beef.

“This monthly report will bring market clarity and exposure to assist the grass fed industry in marketing their products,” said AMS Administrator Anne Alonzo. “This report will fill a significant data gap for the industry and increase transparency in the marketplace for all participants.”

For almost a century, USDA Market News has provided farmers, ranchers and businesses with the market and pricing information. Over the years, our reports have evolved to better meet the changing demands and needs of stakeholders who rely on our data to remain competitive. Earlier this year, USDA was asked by the industry to develop a report for grass fed beef to assist them with attracting more producers and farmers to grass fed beef production.

In addition to market commentary, the new report includes three sections: prices paid for live cattle, wholesale beef prices, and direct-market beef prices. In the future, USDA will continue to expand the report as the number of market reporting participants grows by including trade volume data, and adding graphs and other visuals to the report.

The first monthly report will be issued on Monday, September 23, 2013. In order for the report to be a reflection of current industry conditions, we would encourage stakeholders involved in grass fed beef production to supply information by contacting the Market News office at (515) 284-4460.

For additional information, visit http://marketnews.usda.gov/portal/lg. To view the most current report, visit http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/nw_ls110.txt.

Get the latest Agricultural Marketing Service news at http://www.ams.usda.gov/news or follow us on Twitter @USDA_AMS. You can also read about us on the USDA blog.

 USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).