The Red Angus Association of America announced Christensen Bros., Inc. is one of six cattle firms in the Naturally Fed Division to earn the prestigious Grid Master award for 2017-2018. This is the 22nd Grid Master award Christensen Bros., Inc. has received.

The Red Angus Association of America awards the Grid Master to cattle producers and feeders who own cattle that meet and exceed strict carcass quality standards. Recipients must raise Red Angus or Red Angus-influenced cattle and enroll in the Feeder Calf Certification Program, as well as achieve a specified level of carcass excellence. Conventional- and natural-fed cattle are eligible for the award.

Christensen Bros., Inc. earned the Grid Master distinction with two loads of naturally fed cattle. The first, a 131-head load, finished with 17 percent Prime, 99 percent Choice and 54 percent Yield Grade 1s and 2s and a Grid Score of 148. The second load of 88 head finished with 14 percent Prime, 85 percent Choice and 52 percent Yield Grade 1s and 2s and a Grid Score of 147.

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Natural -Fed Grid Master Standards

Learn More About Grid Master Standards

What is head lot size?

Commercial cattle are sold in lots, or groups. GridMaster recipients must sell their cattle in groups of at least 30 cattle to qualify for the award.

What are Choice & Prime Grades?

The USDA has developed a grade system for beef that lets consumers know how tender, juicy, and flavorful each cut of beef will be. Every cut of beef has a USDA Grand Shield sticker located on each package. Prime quality beef is the premier cuts with abundant marbling. Choice beef is high quality, but it has less marbling than Prime.

What is YG 4s?

Yield Grade, or YG, is another standard developed by the USDA. Yield grades note the amount of usable lean meat on the carcass and is found by dividing the carcass weight by the animal’s live weight. Yield Grades range from 1 to 5 with lower yield grades producing more lean, retail cuts of beef.

What is a Grid Score?

The Grid Score shows the difference between the number of premium beef – Yield Grade 1s and 2s – and the number of Choice grade cattle receiving yield grade 4s.