The U.S. Beef industry needs better ways to identify cattle that produce more high-value beef because the system currently used to estimate beef yield (USDA yield grade) was developed nearly 60…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Texas Tech University $650,000 on September 15, 2026, under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) to develop new measurements for red meat yield that more accurately predict beef production than the USDA Yield Grade system developed nearly 60 years ago. The project will evaluate approximately 1,000 cattle representing major U.S. beef breeds using traditional measurements and advanced imaging technologies including 3-D cameras to measure body dimensions, then CT scan carcasses after harvest to determine true muscle, fat, and bone content. Researchers will identify which live-animal measurements best predict red meat yield and develop practical, standardized methods for breed associations and producers to collect these measurements. Results will establish a new set of scientifically validated traits incorporated into national cattle breeding programs and disseminated through scientific publications, producer meetings, workshops, and educational programs. Work is performed in Lubbock, Texas, with a period of performance from September 15, 2026, through September 14, 2029. The project aims to provide cattle producers with improved genetic selection tools to breed more efficient cattle producing more saleable beef while using fewer resources, strengthening profitability, sustainability, and global competitiveness of the U.S. beef industry.

The U.S. Beef industry needs better ways to identify cattle that produce more high-value beef because the system currently used to estimate beef yield (USDA yield grade) was developed nearly 60 years ago. As cattle genetics and production practices have changed, the accuracy of USDA yield grade has declined, making IT more difficult for producers to select breeding stock that optimize meat production, profitability, and resource efficiency. The goal of this project will be to develop new measurements for red meat yield that more accurately reflect the amount ofbeef an animal can produce. Such measurements willultimately be incorporated into national cattle breeding programs. Researchers will evaluate approximately 1,000 cattle representing the major U.S. Beef breeds using a combination of traditional measurements and advanced imaging technologies, like 3-d cameras, thatmeasure body dimensions. After harvest, carcasses will be CT scannedto determine the true amount of muscle, FAT, and bone, allowing researchers to identify which live-animal measurements best predict red meat yield. The project will also develop practical, standardized methods that breed associations and producers can use to collect these measurements in the future. The expected outcome will be a new set of scientifically validated traits that more accurately predict beef yield than current methods and provide the foundation for improved genetic selection tools. Results will be shared with producers, breed associations, educators, and industry organizations through scientific publications, producer meetings, workshops, and educational programs. Ultimately, this project will provide cattle producers with better tools to breed more efficient cattle that produce more saleable beef while using fewer resources, strengthening the profitability, sustainability, and global competitiveness of the U.S. Beef industry.