Quiz 8: Market Classes and Grades of Livestock, Poultry, and Eggs

The term marketing is defined as the conversion of goods with pricing by the sellers and buyers and moving livestock from the place of production of place of consumption. The marking plays an important role in the economy of a country and for this the producer must be intelligent in terms of marketing strategies, production, and making prices for the products. Based on the preference of seller and buyer the grading of animals, its products and animal carcasses is usually done by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). By doing this USDA improves the communication between buyers and sellers and it helps for the producers of live-stock that is required as per the buyer's requirements. However, certain private companies have their own grading system. For example, USDA standard quality grades for cows are, choice, select, standard, commercial, utility, cutter and canner.

Based on the preference of seller and buyer the grading of animals, its products and animal carcasses is usually done by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). By doing this USDA improves the communication between buyers and sellers and it helps for the producers of live-stock that is required as per the buyer's requirements. However, certain private companies have their own grading system. For example, USDA standard quality grades for cows are choice, select, standard, commercial, utility, cutter and canner. The USDA grading is a voluntary process. The Meat inspection process is taken care by the United States Food safety and inspection service of USDA. It's completely makes sure of the products and it is a mandatory process focus on wholesomeness and safety of the products. It inspects live and dead animals. If the product is approved then only it moves forward for grading and supply chain management.

The domesticated animals like cow, goat, cattle's, etc are called livestock. They are major food source all over the world, which gives milk, fiber, meat, draught, antlers, leather, wool, etc. For example, in the United States there are 2.2 million farms for livestock in 2012 as per the records. The correct terminology for these animal species is as follows: Hen-female chicken, Cockerel- male chicken. Steer- castrated male bovine, Cow- female bovine, and Bull-male bovine. Doe is a female goat, buck-male goat, and Wether- castrated male goat. Gilt is a female pig, Boar-male pig and Barrow-castrated male pig, Hen- female turkey and Tom-female turkey. Ram is a male sheep, eve is a female sheep, and Wether is a castrated male sheep. For example, the classes of the cattle's according to their sex are bullock, bull, steer, cow and heifer.