USDA Eyes New Prime Beef Grades for Fancy Wagyu Cattle
Published Date: 7/8/2026
Notice
Summary
The USDA is thinking about updating how beef carcasses get graded to better match today’s fancy Wagyu genetics and new science on beef tenderness. They want to add more detail to the Prime grade and might drop the old bone-age rule for younger cows. Farmers, meat sellers, and beef lovers should weigh in by September 8, 2026, to help shape these tasty changes!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Add Marbling Degrees to USDA Prime
USDA is considering adding more marbling degrees inside the USDA Prime grade after a petition from the American Wagyu Association. Currently Prime is defined with four marbling degrees (Slightly Abundant, Moderately Abundant, Abundant, and Very Abundant), and the share of carcasses grading Prime rose from 6.2% in 2017 to 12.2% in 2025.
Remove Physiological Maturity Rule Under 30 Months
USDA is asking whether to eliminate the supplemental physiological skeletal maturity requirement for carcasses determined by dentition or age verification to be under 30 months of age. AMS notes data (including sampling and lab analysis cited from Colorado State University) showing grain-fed steers and heifers under 30 months by dentition have palatability similar to physiological maturity A, and changing the rule could allow additional carcasses to qualify for higher USDA grades (Prime, Choice, and Select) without a significant reduction in grade consistency.
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