1. Retail Cut Determinants Measuring rib eye area and back fat

2. Grading Rib Eye Steak Determining the quality of a steak can be measured by: Determining the quality of a steak can be measured by: Amount of fat throughout the steak Amount of fat throughout the steak And And Size of the Rib Eye Muscle Size of the Rib Eye Muscle

3. Types of Fat Intramuscular Fat Intramuscular Fat Known as Marbling Known as Marbling small streaks of fat that are found within the muscle small streaks of fat that are found within the muscle Effects juiciness and flavor Effects juiciness and flavor Has a positive effect on tenderness. Has a positive effect on tenderness. Meat which has little marbling may be dry and flavorless. Meat which has little marbling may be dry and flavorless. Excessive amounts of marbling will not necessarily increase the juiciness and flavor Excessive amounts of marbling will not necessarily increase the juiciness and flavor

4. Types of Fat Intermuscular Intermuscular Known as Seam Fat Known as Seam Fat Found in between muscles within the carcass Found in between muscles within the carcass Usually a thin layer that separates muscles Usually a thin layer that separates muscles

5. Types of Fat Subcutaneous Subcutaneous Known as Back fat or External fat Known as Back fat or External fat Fat located on the outside of the muscle Fat located on the outside of the muscle Under the epidermis (skin) Under the epidermis (skin) Fat that can be trimmed from retail cuts Fat that can be trimmed from retail cuts

6. Measuring BackFat Backfat is measured in tenths of inches Backfat is measured in tenths of inches It is measured along the Longissimus dorsi muscle It is measured along the Longissimus dorsi muscle Longissimus dorsi Longissimus dorsi The rule on the left side of the grid is used. The rule on the left side of the grid is used. It is placed on top of the steak so that the edge of the rule is adjacent to the Longissimus dorsi muscle and measured to the edge of the fat on the outside of the muscle. It is placed on top of the steak so that the edge of the rule is adjacent to the Longissimus dorsi muscle and measured to the edge of the fat on the outside of the muscle. Longissimus dorsi Longissimus dorsi

7. STOP Demonstration Demonstration

8. Determining the Size of Rib Eye Steak Longissimus dorsi muscle makes up the Rib eye steak along with the Complexus and Spinalis muscles. Longissimus dorsi muscle makes up the Rib eye steak along with the Complexus and Spinalis muscles. Longissimus dorsi ComplexusSpinalis Longissimus dorsi ComplexusSpinalis This muscle spans from ribs six through twelve. This muscle spans from ribs six through twelve. Measured in square inches using the rib eye grid Measured in square inches using the rib eye grid

9. Measuring Rib Eye Area The Measuring Grid The Measuring Grid A. Each dot equals an inch A. Each dot equals an inch B. Dots within the squares labeled 8,9 or 10 include 80, 90 or 100 dots. B. Dots within the squares labeled 8,9 or 10 include 80, 90 or 100 dots. Since rib eye area is measured in square inches. Since rib eye area is measured in square inches. Example: Using the 8 square, there are 80 dots Example: Using the 8 square, there are 80 dots To get square inches To get square inches Move the decimal to the left once Move the decimal to the left once 80 dots= 80.00 80 dots= 80.00 Moving the decimal to the left once gives a 8 square inch area Moving the decimal to the left once gives a 8 square inch area A B

10. Measuring Rib Eye Area Place the grid over the Longissimus dorsi muscle trying to fill in either the 8, 9 or 10 square which has counted the dots already. Place the grid over the Longissimus dorsi muscle trying to fill in either the 8, 9 or 10 square which has counted the dots already. Longissimus dorsi Longissimus dorsi Count the other dots located on the muscle that was not part of the square Count the other dots located on the muscle that was not part of the square Once you’ve counted the dots, move decimal to the left once Once you’ve counted the dots, move decimal to the left once This will give you the rib eye area in square inches. This will give you the rib eye area in square inches.

11. STOP Demonstration Demonstration