JAPANESE WAGYU

JMGA (Japanese Meat Grading Association) Beef Carcass Grading Standard has been developed to measure those carcasses that are yielding higher marble scores. In 2008 Japan raised the bar on their grading standard whereby the BMS (Beef Marble Score) grade range is 3-12 (eliminating 1 and 2) and now a BMS 3 requires a min. IMF% of 21. If the US is going to raise cattle for export to Japan or compete with Japanese imports, it's important to have a fundamental understanding of the Japanese meat grading system.

Japanese carcasses are cut or ribbed between the sixth and seventh rib throughout Japan. There are three yield grades: A, B and C - classified by yield percentages estimated by an equation. There are five quality grades: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 - based on marbling, meat colour and texture, and fat colour and quality. Yield score is determined by an estimated cutability percentage that is calculated by an equation which includes four carcass measurements. The measurements are obtained at the sixth and seventh rib section. The yield grading is absolutely objective, delivering an estimated yield percentage as follows.

• Grade A - 72% and above
• Grade B - 69% and above
• Grade C - under 69%
• Quality grade

The meat quality scores are determined in terms of beef marbling, meat colour and brightness, firmness and texture of meat, colour, lustre and quality of fat. The relationship between beef marbling evaluation and classification of grade is as follows:

Quality Grade

1. Poor — 1
2. Below Average — 2
3. Average — 3-4
4. Good  — 5-7
5. Excellent — 8-12

Meat colour is evaluated by the Beef Colour Standard prepared as seven continuous standards. The average colour range is from No. 1 to No. 6 and carcasses in this colour range can be graded in 'Grade 3 or upper grades'. Beef 'brightness' is also a factor in this evaluation. Firmness and texture of meat are evaluated by visual appraisal and also classified into five grades. The firmness measure ranges from very good to inferior and the texture of the meat is evaluated on a scale from very fine to coarse. The colour, lustre and quality of fat is evaluated objectively against the Beef Fat Standards prepared as seven continuous standards. The remaining two factors, lustre and quality, are evaluated simultaneously by visual appraisal.

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