CALGARY – A new beef grade to be released next year should add that extra sizzle to Canadian steaks.
Canada Prime will be similar in quality to USDA Prime, the top beef grade in the United States. This newest grade, which is being adapted into grading regulations, should be available in February.
To make the grade, Prime cuts will carry “slightly abundant” fat marbling, which is slightly more than the current highest grade, Triple A, and will have white fat and bright red meat from youthful carcasses, said Dennis Laycraft, executive vice-president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.
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Offering the Prime designation could be a boon for the export industry where overseas customers have requested an especially high quality product from Canada.
The biggest challenge will be finding the cattle that fit into the higher grade, said Laycraft.
Only a small percentage of carcasses grade Triple A and only about two percent of that total may fit the criteria for Prime.
“We don’t have a lot of it but there is a demand for it in some markets,” he said.
High-end Canadian restaurants may be another potential market. Now they tend to buy American beef because USDA Prime carries the highest level of marbling in the U.S. grading system.
While extra marbling doesn’t guarantee quality, it adds taste and the appearance is more in line with what some customers want.
Sold in stores?
Whether this higher quality meat will find its way to grocery stores is unknown. Outlets like Costco-Price Club embarked on a highly successful Triple A beef campaign two years ago and stole large chunks of the retail beef market from more traditional outlets.
“Retailers are quite satisfied with the Triple A product versus the Prime,” said Laycraft.
“There haven’t been any overtures in that direction. I’ve learned never to say never. If they see an opportunity and clients that want this product, I expect they’ll look at it,” he said.
