PENTICTON, B.C. – The names may be different but the quality is the same.
The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association wants to change beef grade names so international customers, especially in the United States, understand the quality descriptions.
“Having a common grade description between the two markets would be the ideal solution,” said Dennis Laycraft, executive vice-president of the cattle producers association.
“A common description will be useful in U.S. sales. We can’t call it USDA Choice but at least we’re talking in language they’re familiar with,” he said.
Read Also
Agriculture ministers agree to AgriStability changes
federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million
The suggestion is that the top grade of AAA beef become Canada Choice and AA become Canada Select.
There is also a proposal to reduce the yield classes from five to three to bring them more in line with the U.S., said Laycraft at the recent CCA convention.
The cattle producers are also considering changes to the lower grades of B1 and B3 and are exploring alternative descriptions for Canada A, a leaner product that has a place in specific markets including Quebec.
Canada has struggled for years to convince the Americans to accept Canadian beef grades. The American industry nixed the idea because it views the U.S. Department of Agriculture grade as a stamp of quality.
The Americans also rejected a Canadian proposal to allow American graders into Canadian plants to grade the meat or to send Canadian graders to U.S. plants.
“They view their grade as a trademark and they’re quite protective of that,” said Laycraft.
In 1972 the Canadian grading system emphasized yield and removed marbling from the equation. It was rewritten in 1992 to include marbling as well as yield. Each level of quality received a letter grade.
Between 1995 and 1997 this country created a Canada Choice for export purposes. Canada Prime or AAAA was established to recognize higher levels of marbling. This is a grade almost exclusively for export customers and food service.
Canada has achieved acceptance of its grade in certain export arenas like South Korea, so some education will be required to introduce new names.
A number of Canadian retailers also offer an AAA program or offer branded programs with higher levels of quality like Sterling Silver or Certified Angus Beef.
“People are recognizing AAA quality but for the most part consumers have little understanding or have no knowledge of what our grading system is,” said Laycraft.
Surveys have shown consumers confuse the grades and think A is the highest measure of quality rather than AAA.
