The current supply and demand dynamics of the U.S. beef market have reflected a few changes in consumer preferences. Consumer preferences and purchases have ripple effects throughout the entirety of the beef supply chain. Producers use beef grades to determine quality and value as higher-quality carcasses typically influence prices and profitability while consumers associate USDA grades with quality characteristics like tenderness and marbling.

USDA Choice beef is high quality but has less marbling than Prime; USDA Select is normally leaner ...