The Washington “Steer of Merit” criteria are used to evaluate the carcasses. Criteria for “Steer of Merit” are as follows:

1. Hot carcass weight: 600 pounds minimum and 900 pounds maximum.
2. Minimum rib-eye area requirement: Using the sliding scale method, it is calculated (hot carcass weight x .012) + 3.8.
3. Yield Grade: 2.9 or lower (Low Choice – 2.9 or lower, Ave. to High Choice – 3.4 or lower, Prime – 3.9 or lower)
4. Quality Grade: Low Choice or better
5. Carcasses must be determined acceptable and free from defects, which may significantly reduce carcass value.
6. Average Daily Gain: 2.60 lbs average daily gain or better. Must be fed 100 days minimum.

Carcasses that meet all the “Steer of Merit” criteria are indexed utilizing a formula that places 70 percent emphasis on carcass yield grade (cutability), and quality grade, and 30 percents emphasis on average daily gain.