Sample records for usda quality grade

  1. Beef customer satisfaction: trained sensory panel ratings and Warner-Bratzler shear force values.

    PubMed

    Lorenzen, C L; Miller, R K; Taylors, J F; Neely, T R; Tatum, J D; Wise, J W; Buyek, M J; Reagan, J O; Savell, J W

    2003-01-01

    Trained sensory panel ratings and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBS) values from the Beef Customer Satisfaction study are reported. Carcasses were chosen to fit into USDA quality grades of Top Choice (upper two-thirds of USDA Choice), Low Choice, High Select, and Low Select. A trained, descriptive attribute panel evaluated top loin, top sirloin, and top round steaks for muscle fiber tenderness, connective tissue amount, overall tenderness, juiciness, flavor intensity, cooked beef flavor intensity, and cooked beef fat flavor intensity. Four steaks from each of the three cuts from each carcass were assigned randomly to one of four cooking endpoint temperature treatments (60, 65, 70, or 75 degrees C) for WBS determination. For all trained panel measures of tenderness and WBS, regardless of USDA quality grade, top loin steaks were rated higher than top sirloin steaks, which were rated higher than top round steaks (P < 0.05). There were significant interactions between USDA quality grade and cut for most of the trained sensory panel traits: USDA quality grade influenced ratings for top loin steaks more than ratings for top round steaks or top sirloin steaks. Three interactions were significant for WBS values: USDA quality grade x endpoint temperature (P = 0.02), USDA quality grade x cut (P = 0.0007), and cut x endpoint temperature (P = 0.0001). With the exception of High Select, WBS values increased (P < 0.05) for each grade with increasing endpoint temperature. Choice top loin and top round steaks had lower (P < 0.05) WBS values than Select steaks of the same cut; however, only Top Choice top sirloin steaks differed (P < 0.05) from the other USDA grades. As endpoint temperatures increased, WBS values for top sirloin steaks increased substantially compared to the other cuts. When cooked to 60 degrees C, top sirloin steaks were closer to top loin steaks in WBS values, when cooked to 75 degrees C, top sirloin steaks were closer to top round steaks in WBS values. Simple correlation coefficients between consumer ratings and trained sensory muscle fiber tenderness, connective tissue amount, overall tenderness, juiciness, flavor intensity, and cooked beef fat flavor were significant (P < 0.05), but values were low. While relationships exist between consumer and trained sensory measures, it is difficult to predict from objective data how consumers will rate meat at home.

  2. 7 CFR 58.530 - Keeping quality requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Requirements for Cottage Cheese Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.530 Keeping quality requirements. Keeping quality...

  3. Consumer assessment of beef tenderloin steaks from various USDA quality grades at 3 degrees of doneness.

    PubMed

    O'Quinn, Travis G; Brooks, J Chance; Miller, Markus F

    2015-02-01

    A consumer study was conducted to determine palatability ratings of beef tenderloin steaks from USDA Choice, USDA Select, and USDA Select with marbling scores from Slight 50 to 100 (USDA High Select) cooked to various degrees of doneness. Steaks were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 degree of doneness categories: very-rare, medium-rare, or well-done. Consumers (N = 315) were screened for preference of degree of doneness and fed 4 samples of their preferred doneness (a warm-up and one from each USDA quality grade treatment in a random order). Consumers evaluated steaks on an 8-point verbally anchored hedonic scale for tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and overall like as well as rated steaks as acceptable or unacceptable for all palatability traits. Quality grade had no effect (P > 0.05) on consumer ratings for tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and overall like scores, with all traits averaging above a 7 ("like very much") on the 8-point scale. In addition, no differences (P > 0.05) were found in the percentage of samples rated as acceptable for all palatability traits, with more than 94% of samples rated acceptable for each trait in all quality grades evaluated. Steaks cooked to well-done had lower (P < 0.05) juiciness scores than steaks cooked to very-rare or medium-rare and were rated lower for tenderness (P < 0.05) than steaks cooked to a very-rare degree of doneness. Results indicate consumers were not able to detect differences in tenderness, juiciness, flavor, or overall like among beef tenderloin steaks from USDA Choice and Select quality grades. © 2015 Institute of Food Technologists®

  4. Nutrient database improvement project: the influence of USDA quality and yield grade on the separable components and proximate composition of raw and cooked retail cuts from the beef chuck.

    PubMed

    West, S E; Harris, K B; Haneklaus, A N; Savell, J W; Thompson, L D; Brooks, J C; Pool, J K; Luna, A M; Engle, T E; Schutz, J S; Woerner, D R; Arcibeque, S L; Belk, K E; Douglass, L; Leheska, J M; McNeill, S; Howe, J C; Holden, J M; Duvall, M; Patterson, K

    2014-08-01

    This study was designed to provide updated information on the separable components, cooking yields, and proximate composition of retail cuts from the beef chuck. Additionally, the impact the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Quality and Yield Grade may have on such factors was investigated. Ultimately, these data will be used in the USDA - Nutrient Data Laboratory's (NDL) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR). To represent the current United States beef supply, seventy-two carcasses were selected from six regions of the country based on USDA Yield Grade, USDA Quality Grade, gender, and genetic type. Whole beef chuck primals from selected carcasses were shipped to three university laboratories for subsequent retail cut fabrication, raw and cooked cut dissection, and proximate analyses. The incorporation of these data into the SR will improve dietary education, product labeling, and other applications both domestically and abroad, thus emphasizing the importance of accurate and relevant beef nutrient data. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  5. National Beef Quality Audit-2011: Survey of instrument grading assessments of beef carcass characteristics

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The instrument grading assessments for the 2011 National Beef Quality Audit evaluated seasonal trends of beef carcass quality and yield attributes over the course of the year. One week of instrument grading data, HCW, gender, USDA quality grade (QG), and yield grade (YG) factors, were collected ever...

  6. Nutrient analysis of the Beef Alternative Merchandising cuts.

    PubMed

    Desimone, T L; Acheson, R A; Woerner, D R; Engle, T E; Douglass, L W; Belk, K E

    2013-03-01

    The objective of this study was to generate raw and cooked nutrient composition data to identify Quality Grade differences in proximate values for eight Beef Alternative Merchandising (BAM) cuts. The data generated will be used to update the nutrient data in the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR). Beef Rib, Oven-Prepared, Beef Loin, Strip Loin, and Beef Loin, Top Sirloin Butt subprimals were collected from a total of 24 carcasses from four packing plants. The carcasses were a combination of USDA Yield Grades 2 (n=12) and 3 (n=12), USDA Quality Grades upper two-thirds Choice (n=8), low Choice (n=8), and Select (n=8), and two genders, steer (n=16) and heifer (n=8). After aging, subprimals were fabricated into the BAM cuts, dissected, and nutrient analysis was performed. Sample homogenates from each animal were homogenized and composited for analysis of the following: proximate analysis, long chain and trans-fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid, total cholesterol, vitamin B-12, and selenium. This study identified seven BAM cuts from all three Quality Grades that qualify for USDA Lean; seven Select cuts that qualify for USDA Extra Lean; and three Select cuts that qualify for the American Heart Association's Heart Healthy Check. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. On-line prediction of yield grade, longissimus muscle area, preliminary yield grade, adjusted preliminary yield grade, and marbling score using the MARC beef carcass image analysis system.

    PubMed

    Shackelford, S D; Wheeler, T L; Koohmaraie, M

    2003-01-01

    The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the ability of the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center's beef carcass image analysis system to predict calculated yield grade, longissimus muscle area, preliminary yield grade, adjusted preliminary yield grade, and marbling score under commercial beef processing conditions. In two commercial beef-processing facilities, image analysis was conducted on 800 carcasses on the beef-grading chain immediately after the conventional USDA beef quality and yield grades were applied. Carcasses were blocked by plant and observed calculated yield grade. The carcasses were then separated, with 400 carcasses assigned to a calibration data set that was used to develop regression equations, and the remaining 400 carcasses assigned to a prediction data set used to validate the regression equations. Prediction equations, which included image analysis variables and hot carcass weight, accounted for 90, 88, 90, 88, and 76% of the variation in calculated yield grade, longissimus muscle area, preliminary yield grade, adjusted preliminary yield grade, and marbling score, respectively, in the prediction data set. In comparison, the official USDA yield grade as applied by online graders accounted for 73% of the variation in calculated yield grade. The technology described herein could be used by the beef industry to more accurately determine beef yield grades; however, this system does not provide an accurate enough prediction of marbling score to be used without USDA grader interaction for USDA quality grading.

  8. Nutrient database improvement project: the influence of U.S.D.A. Quality and Yield Grade on the separable components and proximate composition of raw and cooked retail cuts from the beef rib and plate.

    PubMed

    Martin, J N; Brooks, J C; Thompson, L D; Savell, J W; Harris, K B; May, L L; Haneklaus, A N; Schutz, J L; Belk, K E; Engle, T; Woerner, D R; Legako, J F; Luna, A M; Douglass, L W; Douglass, S E; Howe, J; Duvall, M; Patterson, K Y; Leheska, J L

    2013-11-01

    Beef nutrition is important to the worldwide beef industry. The objective of this study was to analyze proximate composition of eight beef rib and plate cuts to update the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR). Furthermore, this study aimed to determine the influence of USDA Quality Grade on the separable components and proximate composition of the examined retail cuts. Carcasses (n=72) representing a composite of Yield Grade, Quality Grade, gender and genetic type were identified from six regions across the U.S. Beef plates and ribs (IMPS #109 and 121C and D) were collected from the selected carcasses and shipped to three university meat laboratories for storage, retail fabrication, cooking, and dissection and analysis of proximate composition. These data provide updated information regarding the nutrient content of beef and emphasize the influence of common classification systems (Yield Grade and Quality Grade) on the separable components, cooking yield, and proximate composition of retail beef cuts. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. National Beef Quality Audit-2016: In-plant survey of carcass characteristics related to quality, quantity, and value of fed steers and heifers.

    PubMed

    Boykin, C A; Eastwood, L C; Harris, M K; Hale, D S; Kerth, C R; Griffin, D B; Arnold, A N; Hasty, J D; Belk, K E; Woerner, D R; Delmore, R J; Martin, J N; VanOverbeke, D L; Mafi, G G; Pfeiffer, M M; Lawrence, T E; McEvers, T J; Schmidt, T B; Maddock, R J; Johnson, D D; Carr, C C; Scheffler, J M; Pringle, T D; Stelzleni, A M; Gottlieb, J; Savell, J W

    2017-07-01

    The National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA)-2016 used in-plant cooler assessments to benchmark the current status of the fed steer and heifer beef industry in the United States. In-plant cooler assessments ( = 9,106 carcasses) were conducted at 30 facilities, where approximately 10% of a single day's production were evaluated for USDA quality grade (QG) and yield grade (YG) factors. Frequencies of evaluated traits were 66.5% steer and 33.4% heifer sex classes and 82.9% native, 15.9% dairy-type, and 1.2% estimated breed types. Mean USDA YG factors were 1.42 cm for adjusted fat thickness, 89.5 cm for LM area, 390.3 kg for HCW, and 1.9% for KPH. Mean USDA YG was 3.1, with a frequency distribution of 9.6% YG 1, 36.7% YG 2, 39.2% YG 3, 12.0% YG 4, and 2.5% YG 5. Mean USDA QG traits were Small for marbling score, A for overall maturity, A55 for lean maturity, and A for skeletal maturity. Mean USDA QG was Select with a frequency distribution of QG of 3.8% Prime, 67.3% Choice, 23.2% Select, and 5.6% lower score. Lower score included dark cutter (1.9%), blood splash (0.1%), and hard bone, which are USDA overall maturity scores of C or older (1.8%). Marbling score distributions were 0.85% Slightly Abundant or greater, 7.63% Moderate, 23.54% Modest, 39.63% Small, 23.62% Slight, and 0.83% Traces or less. Carcasses that were Choice or Select and USDA YG 2 or 3 accounted for 70.7% of the carcasses evaluated. Compared with the previous NBQA, we found a numerical increase in mean USDA YG, USDA QG, adjusted fat thickness, HCW, LM area, and marbling score with an increase in dairy-type carcasses and percentage of carcasses grading USDA Prime and Choice as well as frequency of USDA YG 4 and 5. The findings from this study will be used by all segments of the industry to understand and improve the quality of fed steer and heifer beef that is being produced.

  10. 7 CFR 58.734 - Official identification.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Requirements for Processed Cheese Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.734 Official identification. Only process... to be in compliance with these requirements may be identified with official USDA Quality Approved...

  11. 7 CFR 58.646 - Official identification.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Requirements for Finished Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.646 Official identification. (a) Only ice cream and... to be in compliance with these requirements may be identified with the official USDA Quality Approved...

  12. The USDA quality grades may mislead consumers.

    PubMed

    DeVuyst, E A; Lusk, J L; DeVuyst, M A

    2014-07-01

    This study was designed to explore consumers' perceptions about and knowledge of USDA beef quality grades. Data were collected from over 1,000 consumers in online surveys in November and December 2013, and estimates were weighted to force the sample to mirror the U.S. population in terms of age, gender, education, and region of residence. When asked to rank Prime, Choice, and Select grades in terms of leanness, only 14.4% provided the correct ranking with 57.1% of respondents incorrectly indicating steaks grading Prime were the leanest. Despite perceptions that the Prime name indicated the leanest product, in a subsequent question, 55.6% of respondents thought Prime grade to be the juiciest of the 3 grades. In addition to inquiring about perceptions of the grade names, respondents also indicated perceptions of pictures of steaks. Only 14.5% of respondents correctly matched the steak pictures with their corresponding USDA quality grade name, an outcome that is statistically worse than would have occurred through pure random matching (P = 0.03). When asked to match pictures of steaks with expected prices, 54.8% of respondents incorrectly matched the picture of the Prime steak with the lowest price level. More highly educated consumers with greater preferences for steak consumption were more likely to provide correct answers. Results reveal substantial confusion over quality grading nomenclature and suggest the need for more education or for a transition toward more descriptive terminology at the retail level.

  13. 7 CFR 58.632 - Acid.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.632 Acid. Acids used in sherbet shall be wholesome and of food grade quality and consist of one or...

  14. 7 CFR 58.632 - Acid.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.632 Acid. Acids used in sherbet shall be wholesome and of food grade quality and consist of one or...

  15. Sawlog grades for eastern white pine

    Treesearch

    Myron D. Ostrander; Robert L. Brisbin; Robert L. Brisbin

    1971-01-01

    In 1957, the USDA Forest Service Log Grade Committee recommended a service-wide action program in log- and tree-grade research. Approval of the program in 1958 resulted in the establishment of five species-oriented timber-quality research projects covering several groups of commercially important timber species. The eastern softwood timber-quality project was activated...

  16. 7 CFR 58.434 - Calcium chloride.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw... Chemical Codex. ...

  17. 7 CFR 58.434 - Calcium chloride.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw... Chemical Codex. ...

  18. 7 CFR 58.434 - Calcium chloride.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw... Chemical Codex. ...

  19. 7 CFR 58.139 - Record of tests.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Milk § 58.139 Record of tests. Accurate records listing the results of quality and drug residue tests...

  20. Improved hairline crack detector and poor shell-quality eggs

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Cracks frequently occur throughout various points of egg collection and processing and there are numerous high-speed online commercial crack detectors in use. The accuracy of crack detectors is validated by USDA human graders to ensure that they are in compliance with voluntary grade standards USDA...

  1. 7 CFR 58.721 - Salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58... The Food Chemical Codex. ...

  2. 7 CFR 58.721 - Salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58... The Food Chemical Codex. ...

  3. 7 CFR 58.721 - Salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58... The Food Chemical Codex. ...

  4. 7 CFR 58.721 - Salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58... The Food Chemical Codex. ...

  5. Effects of postmortem aging and USDA quality grade on Warner-Bratzler shear force values of seventeen individual beef muscles.

    PubMed

    Gruber, S L; Tatum, J D; Scanga, J A; Chapman, P L; Smith, G C; Belk, K E

    2006-12-01

    Forty USDA Select and 40 upper two-thirds USDA Choice beef carcasses were used to determine the effects of postmortem aging on tenderness of 17 individual beef muscles. Biceps femoris-long head, complexus, gluteus medius, infraspinatus, longissimus dorsi, psoas major, rectus femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, serratus ventralis, spinalis dorsi, supraspinatus, tensor fasciae latae, teres major, triceps brachii-long head, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis muscles were removed from each carcass. Seven steaks (2.54-cm thick) were cut from every muscle, and each steak was assigned to one of the following postmortem aging periods: 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 21, or 28 d postmortem. After completion of the designated aging period, steaks were removed from storage (2 degrees C, never frozen), cooked to a peak internal temperature of 71 degrees C, and evaluated using Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF). Analysis of WBSF revealed a 3-way interaction (P = 0.004) among individual muscle, USDA quality grade, and postmortem aging period. With the exception of the Select teres major, WBSF of all muscles (both quality grades) decreased with increasing time of postmortem storage. Nonlinear regression was used to characterize the extent (aging response) and rate of decrease in WBSF from 2 through 28 d postmortem for each muscle within each quality grade. In general, WBSF of upper two-thirds Choice muscles decreased more rapidly from 2 to 10 d postmortem than did corresponding Select muscles. Muscles that had greater aging responses generally had greater 2-d WBSF values. The upper two-thirds Choice psoas major, serratus ventralis, and vastus lateralis muscles required similar aging times to complete a majority of the aging response (< or =0.1 kg of aging response remaining) compared with analogous Select muscles. The upper two-thirds Choice complexus, gluteus medius, semitendinosus, triceps brachii-long head, and vastus medialis muscles required 4 to 6 d less time to complete a majority of the aging response than did comparable Select muscles. Aging times for Select biceps femoris-long head, infraspinatus, longissimus dorsi, rectus femoris, semimembranosus, spinalis dorsi, supraspinatus, and tensor fasciae latae muscles were > or =7 d longer than those for corresponding upper two-thirds Choice muscles. Results from this study suggest that muscle-to-muscle tenderness differences depend on quality grade and aging time and that postmortem aging should be managed with respect to individual muscle and USDA quality grade.

  6. Butt-log grade distributions for five Appalachian hardwood species

    Treesearch

    John R. Myers; Gary W. Miller; Harry V., Jr. Wiant; Joseph E. Barnard; Joseph E. Barnard

    1986-01-01

    Tree quality is an important factor in determining the market value of hardwood timber stands, but many forest inventories do not include estimates of tree quality. Butt-log grade distributions were developed for northern red oak, black oak, white oak, chestnut oak, and yellow-poplar using USDA Forest Service log grades on more than 4,700 trees in West Virginia. Butt-...

  7. 7 CFR 58.331 - Starter distillate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.331 Starter distillate. The refined flavor components when used to flavor butter and related products. It shall be of food grade quality, free of extraneous material and prepared in accordance with...

  8. 7 CFR 58.331 - Starter distillate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.331 Starter distillate. The refined flavor components when used to flavor butter and related products. It shall be of food grade quality, free of extraneous material and prepared in accordance with...

  9. 7 CFR 58.517 - General.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.517 General. Raw materials used for manufacturing cottage cheese shall meet the following quality...

  10. 7 CFR 58.517 - General.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.517 General. Raw materials used for manufacturing cottage cheese shall meet the following quality...

  11. 7 CFR 58.328 - Salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58... requirements of The Food Chemical Codex. ...

  12. 7 CFR 58.328 - Salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58... requirements of The Food Chemical Codex. ...

  13. 7 CFR 58.328 - Salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58... requirements of The Food Chemical Codex. ...

  14. 7 CFR 58.328 - Salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58... requirements of The Food Chemical Codex. ...

  15. 7 CFR 58.231 - General.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Materials § 58.231 General. All raw materials received at the drying plant shall meet the following quality...

  16. 7 CFR 58.231 - General.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Materials § 58.231 General. All raw materials received at the drying plant shall meet the following quality...

  17. Consumer palatability scores and volatile beef flavor compounds of five USDA quality grades and four muscles.

    PubMed

    Legako, J F; Brooks, J C; O'Quinn, T G; Hagan, T D J; Polkinghorne, R; Farmer, L J; Miller, M F

    2015-02-01

    Proximate data, consumer palatability scores and volatile compounds were investigated for four beef muscles (Longissimus lumborum, Psoas major, Semimembranosus and Gluteus medius) and five USDA quality grades(Prime, Upper 2/3 Choice, Low Choice, Select, and Standard). Quality grade did not directly affect consumer scores or volatiles but interactions (P < 0.05) between muscle and grade were determined. Consumer scores and volatiles differed (P < 0.05) between muscles. Consumers scored Psoas major highest for tenderness, juiciness, flavor liking and overall liking, followed by Longissimus lumborum, Gluteus medius, and Semimembranosus (P < 0.05). Principal component analysis revealed clustering of compound classes, formed by related mechanisms. Volatile n-aldehydes were inversely related to percent fat. Increases in lipid oxidation compounds were associated with Gluteus medius and Semimembranosus, while greater quantities of sulfur-containing compounds were associated with Psoas major. Relationships between palatability scores and volatile compound classes suggest that differences in the pattern of volatile compounds may play a valuable role in explaining consumer liking.

  18. 7 CFR 58.736 - Pasteurized process cheese.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for..., and be completely sealed and not broken or soiled. ...

  19. 7 CFR 58.736 - Pasteurized process cheese.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for..., and be completely sealed and not broken or soiled. ...

  20. 7 CFR 58.736 - Pasteurized process cheese.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for..., and be completely sealed and not broken or soiled. ...

  1. 7 CFR 58.132 - Basis for classification.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Milk § 58.132 Basis for classification. The quality classification of raw milk for manufacturing...

  2. 7 CFR 58.132 - Basis for classification.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Milk § 58.132 Basis for classification. The quality classification of raw milk for manufacturing...

  3. 7 CFR 59.104 - Mandatory reporting of boxed beef sales.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Choice or better, USDA Choice, USDA Select, ungraded no-roll product); (iv) The grade for cow beef or packer yield and/or quality sort for cow beef (e.g., Breakers, Boners, White Cow, Cutters (lean)); (v... product delivery period; and (ix) The beef type (steer/heifer, dairy steer/heifer, or cow). (b...

  4. 7 CFR 58.327 - Frozen cream.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.327 Frozen cream. To produce frozen cream eligible for official certification, the quality of...

  5. 7 CFR 58.327 - Frozen cream.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.327 Frozen cream. To produce frozen cream eligible for official certification, the quality of...

  6. Beef grading by ultrasound

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gammell, P. M.

    1981-01-01

    Reflections in ultrasonic A-scan signatures of beef carcasses indicate USDA grade. Since reflections from within muscle are determined primarily by fat/muscle interface, richness of signals is direct indication of degree of marbling and quality. Method replaces subjective sight and feel tests by individual graders and is applicable to grade analysis of live cattle.

  7. 7 CFR 58.437 - Salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58... requirements of the Food Chemical Codex. Operations and Operating Procedures ...

  8. 7 CFR 58.437 - Salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58... requirements of the Food Chemical Codex. Operations and Operating Procedures ...

  9. 7 CFR 58.437 - Salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58... requirements of the Food Chemical Codex. Operations and Operating Procedures ...

  10. 7 CFR 58.437 - Salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58... requirements of the Food Chemical Codex. Operations and Operating Procedures ...

  11. 7 CFR 58.122 - Approved plants under USDA inspection and grading service.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Approved plants under USDA inspection and grading... FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Purpose § 58.122 Approved plants under USDA inspection and grading service. (a...

  12. 7 CFR 58.122 - Approved plants under USDA inspection and grading service.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Approved plants under USDA inspection and grading... FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Purpose § 58.122 Approved plants under USDA inspection and grading service. (a...

  13. 7 CFR 58.122 - Approved plants under USDA inspection and grading service.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Approved plants under USDA inspection and grading... FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Purpose § 58.122 Approved plants under USDA inspection and grading service. (a...

  14. 7 CFR 58.122 - Approved plants under USDA inspection and grading service.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Approved plants under USDA inspection and grading... FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Purpose § 58.122 Approved plants under USDA inspection and grading service. (a...

  15. 7 CFR 58.122 - Approved plants under USDA inspection and grading service.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Approved plants under USDA inspection and grading... FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Purpose § 58.122 Approved plants under USDA inspection and grading service. (a...

  16. 7 CFR 58.633 - Color.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58... and Drug Administration as safe for human consumption. Operations and Operating Procedures ...

  17. Protein and quality analyses of accessions from the USDA soybean germplasm collection for tofu production

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Food-grade soybeans with large seed size, uniformity, clear hilum, and high 11S/7S ratio are favored by the food industry for making tofu. In order to search for soybean lines with desirable characteristics for making foods, twenty-two soybean lines were selected from the USDA-Soybean Germplasm Coll...

  18. 7 CFR 58.446 - Quality requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... Monterey (Monterey Jack) Cheese. (d) Swiss cheese, Emmentaler cheese. The quality requirements for Swiss cheese, Emmentaler cheese shall be in accordance with the U.S. Standards for Grades for Swiss Cheese... Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.446 Quality requirements. (a) Cheddar cheese. The...

  19. 7 CFR 58.446 - Quality requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... Monterey (Monterey Jack) Cheese. (d) Swiss cheese, Emmentaler cheese. The quality requirements for Swiss cheese, Emmentaler cheese shall be in accordance with the U.S. Standards for Grades for Swiss Cheese... Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.446 Quality requirements. (a) Cheddar cheese. The...

  20. 7 CFR 58.446 - Quality requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... Monterey (Monterey Jack) Cheese. (d) Swiss cheese, Emmentaler cheese. The quality requirements for Swiss cheese, Emmentaler cheese shall be in accordance with the U.S. Standards for Grades for Swiss Cheese... Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.446 Quality requirements. (a) Cheddar cheese. The...

  1. 7 CFR 58.446 - Quality requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Monterey (Monterey Jack) Cheese. (d) Swiss cheese, Emmentaler cheese. The quality requirements for Swiss cheese, Emmentaler cheese shall be in accordance with the U.S. Standards for Grades for Swiss Cheese... Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.446 Quality requirements. (a) Cheddar cheese. The...

  2. 7 CFR 58.446 - Quality requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Quality requirements. 58.446 Section 58.446... Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.446 Quality requirements. (a) Cheddar cheese. The quality requirements for Cheddar cheese shall be in accordance with the U.S. Standards for Grades of...

  3. 7 CFR 58.135 - Bacterial estimate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Milk § 58.135 Bacterial estimate. (a) Methods of Testing. Milk shall be tested for bacterial estimate...

  4. National Beef Quality Audit-2011: In-plant survey of targeted carcass characteristics related to quality, quantity, value, and marketing of fed steers and heifers.

    PubMed

    Moore, M C; Gray, G D; Hale, D S; Kerth, C R; Griffin, D B; Savell, J W; Raines, C R; Belk, K E; Woerner, D R; Tatum, J D; Igo, J L; VanOverbeke, D L; Mafi, G G; Lawrence, T E; Delmore, R J; Christensen, L M; Shackelford, S D; King, D A; Wheeler, T L; Meadows, L R; O'Connor, M E

    2012-12-01

    The 2011 National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA-2011) assessed the current status of quality and consistency of fed steers and heifers. Beef carcasses (n = 9,802), representing approximately 10% of each production lot in 28 beef processing facilities, were selected randomly for the survey. Carcass evaluation for the cooler assessment of this study revealed the following traits and frequencies: sex classes of steer (63.5%), heifer (36.4%), cow (0.1%), and bullock (0.03%); dark cutters (3.2%); blood splash (0.3%); yellow fat (0.1%); calloused rib eye (0.05%); overall maturities of A (92.8%), B (6.0%), and C or greater (1.2%); estimated breed types of native (88.3%), dairy type (9.9%), and Bos indicus (1.8%); and country of origin of United States (97.7%), Mexico (1.8%), and Canada (0.5%). Certified or marketing program frequencies were age and source verified (10.7%), ≤A(40) (10.0%), Certified Angus Beef (9.3%), Top Choice (4.1%), natural (0.6%), and Non-Hormone-Treated Cattle (0.5%); no organic programs were observed. Mean USDA yield grade (YG) traits were USDA YG (2.9), HCW (374.0 kg), adjusted fat thickness (1.3 cm), LM area (88.8 cm2), and KPH (2.3%). Frequencies of USDA YG distributions were YG 1, 12.4%; YG 2, 41.0%; YG 3, 36.3%; YG 4, 8.6%; and YG 5, 1.6%. Mean USDA quality grade (QG) traits were USDA quality grade (Select(93)), marbling score (Small(40)), overall maturity (A(59)), lean maturity (A(54)), and skeletal maturity (A(62)). Frequencies of USDA QG distributions were Prime, 2.1%; Choice, 58.9%; Select, 32.6%; and Standard or less, 6.3%. Marbling score distribution was Slightly Abundant or greater, 2.3%; Moderate, 5.0%; Modest, 17.3%; Small, 39.7%; Slight, 34.6%; and Traces or less, 1.1%. Carcasses with QG of Select or greater and YG 3 or less represented 85.1% of the sample. This is the fifth benchmark study measuring targeted carcass characteristics, and information from this survey will continue to help drive progress in the beef industry. Results will be used in extension and educational programs as teaching tools to inform beef producers and industry professionals of the current state of the U.S. beef industry.

  5. 7 CFR 58.324 - Butteroil.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.324 Butteroil. To produce butteroil eligible for official certification, the butter used...

  6. 7 CFR 58.324 - Butteroil.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.324 Butteroil. To produce butteroil eligible for official certification, the butter used...

  7. 7 CFR 58.430 - Milk.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58... milk used. Such dairy products shall have originated from raw milk meeting the same requirements as...

  8. 7 CFR 58.430 - Milk.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58... milk used. Such dairy products shall have originated from raw milk meeting the same requirements as...

  9. 7 CFR 58.234 - Buttermilk.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Materials § 58.234 Buttermilk. Buttermilk for drying as dry buttermilk or dry buttermilk product shall be...

  10. 7 CFR 58.629 - Flavoring agents.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.629 Flavoring agents. Flavoring agents either natural or artificial shall be wholesome and...

  11. 7 CFR 58.629 - Flavoring agents.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.629 Flavoring agents. Flavoring agents either natural or artificial shall be wholesome and...

  12. 7 CFR 58.234 - Buttermilk.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Materials § 58.234 Buttermilk. Buttermilk for drying as dry buttermilk or dry buttermilk product shall be...

  13. 7 CFR 58.322 - Cream.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58... derived from raw material meeting the requirements as listed under §§ 58.132 through 58.138 of this...

  14. 7 CFR 58.232 - Milk.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Materials § 58.232 Milk. Raw milk shall meet the requirements as outlined in §§ 58.132 through 58.138 and, unless...

  15. 7 CFR 58.322 - Cream.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58... derived from raw material meeting the requirements as listed under §§ 58.132 through 58.138 of this...

  16. 7 CFR 58.232 - Milk.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Materials § 58.232 Milk. Raw milk shall meet the requirements as outlined in §§ 58.132 through 58.138 and, unless...

  17. 7 CFR 58.720 - Acidifying agents.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.720 Acidifying agents. Acidifying agents if used shall be those permitted by the Food and...

  18. 7 CFR 58.329 - Color.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.329 Color. Coloring, when used shall be Annatto or any color which is approved by the U.S. Food and...

  19. 7 CFR 58.720 - Acidifying agents.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.720 Acidifying agents. Acidifying agents if used shall be those permitted by the Food and...

  20. 7 CFR 58.630 - Stabilizers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.630 Stabilizers. Stabilizers shall be clean and wholesome and consist of one or more of those...

  1. 7 CFR 58.630 - Stabilizers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.630 Stabilizers. Stabilizers shall be clean and wholesome and consist of one or more of those...

  2. 7 CFR 58.628 - Sweetening agents.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.628 Sweetening agents. Sweetening agents shall be clean and wholesome and consist of one or...

  3. 7 CFR 58.631 - Emulsifiers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.631 Emulsifiers. Emulsifiers shall be clean and wholesome and consist of one or more of those...

  4. 7 CFR 58.631 - Emulsifiers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.631 Emulsifiers. Emulsifiers shall be clean and wholesome and consist of one or more of those...

  5. 7 CFR 58.628 - Sweetening agents.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.628 Sweetening agents. Sweetening agents shall be clean and wholesome and consist of one or...

  6. 7 CFR 58.519 - Dairy products.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.519 Dairy products. (a) Raw skim milk. All raw skim milk obtained from a secondary source... used, shall be prepared from raw milk or skim milk that meets the same quality requirements outlined...

  7. Determination of protein markers for beef tenderness in U. S. select beef

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Objectives: Beef tenderness is a primary quality feature that defines the consumer’s perception of the product quality. Therefore definition of chemical characteristics that contribute to variation in tenderness within a specific USDA grade can help refine our understanding of meat tenderness. The o...

  8. Consumer palatability scores, sensory descriptive attributes, and volatile compounds of grilled beef steaks from three USDA Quality Grades.

    PubMed

    Legako, J F; Dinh, T T N; Miller, M F; Adhikari, K; Brooks, J C

    2016-02-01

    Consumer palatability scores, sensory descriptive attributes, and volatile compounds were assessed for beef Longissimus lumborum steaks of USDA Prime, Low Choice, and Standard grades. Overall and flavor liking was greater (P<0.05) for Prime and Low Choice. Initial flavor impact and fat-like attributes were greater (P<0.05) among Prime and Low Choice. Prime had greater (P<0.05) brown/roasted, beef identity, overall sweetness, and umami. Cardboard was greater (P<0.05) in Standard. Volatile compounds representing flavor development pathways were varied with quality grade. Standard had greater (P<0.05) abundances of n-aldehydes. Phenylacetaldehyde was greater (P<0.05) in Prime and Low Choice. Both 2,3-butanedione and 3-hydroxy-2-butanone were greatest (P<0.05) in Prime. Overall liking was positively correlated with many descriptive attributes, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, and phenylacetaldehyde, and negatively correlated with cardboard, green, and n-aldehydes. While the measured attributes and volatiles may not be causative of flavor, this data indicates potential for prediction of flavor through their measurement. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. 76 FR 64001 - United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Okra

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-10-17

    ... to undertaking research and other work associated with revising the grade standards, AMS sought...-327] United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Okra AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA... (USDA) has revised the United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Okra. The grade standards for frozen...

  10. 78 FR 63158 - United States Standards for Grades of Okra

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-10-23

    ...: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Final notice. SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is revising the voluntary United States Standards for Grades... available on the Specialty Crops Inspection Division Web site at www.ams.usda.gov/scihome . SUPPLEMENTARY...

  11. 7 CFR 58.249 - Instant nonfat dry milk.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Requirements for Finished Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.249 Instant nonfat dry milk. (a) Only instant nonfat dry... compliance with these requirements may be identified with the official USDA U.S. Extra Grade, processed and...

  12. 7 CFR 58.249 - Instant nonfat dry milk.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Requirements for Finished Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.249 Instant nonfat dry milk. (a) Only instant nonfat dry... compliance with these requirements may be identified with the official USDA U.S. Extra Grade, processed and...

  13. 75 FR 43142 - United States Standards for Grades of Refried Beans

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-07-23

    ...] United States Standards for Grades of Refried Beans AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION... comments on the possible establishment of voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Refried Beans... industry requested that USDA develop grade standards for canned refried beans to be used by the industry...

  14. 7 CFR 58.718 - Flavor ingredients.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.718 Flavor ingredients. Flavor ingredients used in process cheese and related products shall... types of flavoring materials should be uniform in color and should impart the characteristic flavor...

  15. 7 CFR 58.718 - Flavor ingredients.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.718 Flavor ingredients. Flavor ingredients used in process cheese and related products shall... types of flavoring materials should be uniform in color and should impart the characteristic flavor...

  16. Effect of packaging type during postmortem aging and degree of doneness on pork chop sensory traits of loins selected to vary in color and marbling.

    PubMed

    Klehm, B J; King, D A; Dilger, A C; Shackelford, S D; Boler, D D

    2018-05-04

    The objective was to determine the interactions between packaging type and degree of doneness on sensory traits of pork loins classified based on the newly proposed USDA quality grades. A total of 144 loins were selected from 2 groups of pigs (lean growth or meat quality production focus) to represent as much variation in visual color and marbling as possible. Selection was achieved with a VQG grading camera. The ventral surface of the loins was evaluated for loin quality traits at 1 d postmortem. At 2 d postmortem loins were sliced into 28-mm-thick chops. Chop within each loin was randomly assigned to either individual vacuum packages or to individual Styrofoam trays and overwrapped in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) oxygen permeable film. Overwrapped PVC packages were then placed in bulk packages and flushed with a gas mixture that contained approximately 0.4% carbon monoxide, 30% carbon dioxide, and 80% nitrogen. Vacuum-packaged chops were aged until 14 d postmortem. Chops packaged in PVC overwrap were aged until 9 d postmortem in the bulk packages, then placed on simulated retail display until 14 d postmortem. Chops from each packaging type were cooked to an internal temperature of either 63 °C or 71 °C for the evaluation of slice shear force (SSF) or for evaluation of tenderness, juiciness, and flavor by a trained panel. Data were analyzed as split-split plot design with production focus of the pigs, proposed USDA quality grade, packaging type, and degree of doneness as fixed effects. While there were main effect differences between production focuses, there were no interactions with production focus. There were also no 3-way (P ≥ 0.19) interactions and only one 2-way interaction among quality grade, packaging type, or degree of doneness. There were no differences in sensory tenderness (P = 0.30), juiciness (P = 0.49), flavor (P = 0.89), SSF (P = 0.13), or cook loss (P = 0.06) among USDA quality grades. There were no differences in sensory tenderness (P = 0.06), juiciness (P = 0.32), flavor (P = 0.74), SSF (P = 0.99), or cook loss (P = 0.12) between chops aged in vacuum packages or PVC packages. Chops cooked to 63 °C were 4.6% more tender (P < 0.0001), 10.1% juicier (P < 0.0001), and 2.9% less flavorful (P = 0.01) than chops cooked to 71 °C. These data suggest that cooking chops to 63 °C rather than 71 °C was a more effective way to improve tenderness and juiciness than selecting chops of a certain quality grade or altering packaging postmortem.

  17. Application of a computer model to predict optimum slaughter end points for different biological types of feeder cattle.

    PubMed

    Williams, C B; Bennett, G L

    1995-10-01

    A bioeconomic model was developed to predict slaughter end points of different genotypes of feeder cattle, where profit/rotation and profit/day were maximized. Growth, feed intake, and carcass weight and composition were simulated for 17 biological types of steers. Distribution of carcass weight and proportion in four USDA quality and five USDA yield grades were obtained from predicted carcass weights and composition. Average carcass value for each genotype was calculated from these distributions under four carcass pricing systems that varied from value determined on quality grade alone to value determined on yield grade alone. Under profitable market conditions, rotation length was shorter and carcass weights lighter when the producer's goal was maximum profit/day, compared with maximum profit/rotation. A carcass value system based on yield grade alone resulted in greater profit/rotation and in lighter and leaner carcasses than a system based on quality grade alone. High correlations ( > .97) were obtained between breed profits obtained with different sets of input/output prices and carcass price discount weight ranges. This suggests that breed rankings on the basis of breed profits may not be sensitive to changes in input/output market prices. Steers that were on a grower-stocker system had leaner carcasses, heavier optimum carcass weight, greater profits, and less variation in optimum carcass weights between genotypes than steers that were started on a high-energy finishing diet at weaning. Overall results suggest that breed choices may change with different carcass grading and value systems and postweaning production systems. This model has potential to provide decision support in marketing fed cattle.

  18. 7 CFR 58.722 - Emulsifying agents.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.722 Emulsifying agents. Emulsifying agents shall be those permitted by the Food and Drug Administration for the specific pasteurized process cheese product, and shall be free from extraneous material...

  19. 7 CFR 58.722 - Emulsifying agents.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Quality Specifications for Raw Material § 58.722 Emulsifying agents. Emulsifying agents shall be those permitted by the Food and Drug Administration for the specific pasteurized process cheese product, and shall be free from extraneous material...

  20. 7 CFR 58.133 - Methods for quality and wholesomeness determination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection... any other method approved by Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products (confirmatory test... and Applied Nutrition, 200 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20204. (2) Individual producer milk samples...

  1. 7 CFR 58.133 - Methods for quality and wholesomeness determination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection... any other method approved by Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products (confirmatory test... and Applied Nutrition, 200 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20204. (2) Individual producer milk samples...

  2. 7 CFR 58.133 - Methods for quality and wholesomeness determination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection... any other method approved by Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products (confirmatory test... and Applied Nutrition, 200 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20204. (2) Individual producer milk samples...

  3. Technical note: the United States Department of Agriculture beef yield grade equation requires modification to reflect the current longissimus muscle area to hot carcass weight relationship.

    PubMed

    Lawrence, T E; Farrow, R L; Zollinger, B L; Spivey, K S

    2008-06-01

    With the adoption of visual instrument grading, the calculated yield grade can be used for payment to cattle producers selling on grid pricing systems. The USDA beef carcass grading standards include a relationship between required LM area (LMA) and HCW that is an important component of the final yield grade. As noted on a USDA yield grade LMA grid, a 272-kg (600-lb) carcass requires a 71-cm(2) (11.0-in.(2)) LMA and a 454-kg (1,000-lb) carcass requires a 102-cm(2) (15.8-in.(2)) LMA. This is a linear relationship, where required LMA = 0.171(HCW) + 24.526. If a beef carcass has a larger LMA than required, the calculated yield grade is lowered, whereas a smaller LMA than required increases the calculated yield grade. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the LMA to HCW relationship against data on 434,381 beef carcasses in the West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) Beef Carcass Research Center database. In contrast to the USDA relationship, our data indicate a quadratic relationship [WTAMU LMA = 33.585 + 0.17729(HCW) -0.0000863(HCW(2))] between LMA and HCW whereby, on average, a 272-kg carcass has a 75-cm(2) (11.6-in.(2)) LMA and a 454-kg carcass has a 96-cm(2) (14.9-in.(2)) LMA, indicating a different slope and different intercept than those in the USDA grading standards. These data indicate that the USDA calculated yield grade equation favors carcasses lighter than 363 kg (800 lb) for having above average muscling and penalizes carcasses heavier than 363 kg (800 lb) for having below average muscling. If carcass weights continue to increase, we are likely to observe greater proportions of yield grade 4 and 5 carcasses because of the measurement bias that currently exists in the USDA yield grade equation.

  4. Survey of Mexican retail stores for US beef product.

    PubMed

    Huerta-Leidenz, Nelson; Ruíz-Flores, Agustín; Maldonado-Siman, Ema; Valdéz, Alejandra; Belk, Keith E

    2014-02-01

    Retail packages (N=1004) containing fresh US beef in display cases in five cities across three regions of Mexico were surveyed for cut types, cutting styles, fat thickness measurements, marbling scores, and USDA Quality Grades to gain an overview of fresh US beef in Mexican retail markets. Data were analyzed to generate frequency distributions and examine the effect of city, geographical region, store chain, and socio-economic status of the targeted clientele on type, cutting style, fat measures and quality of beef cuts of US origin. Top round, bottom round and knuckle were the most common cut types. Milanesa-type slice and "bistec" (steak for grilling) were the predominant cutting styles. Over 95% of the retail cuts were trimmed to 3.2mm or less of external fat. Most cuts were USDA Select (74.5%) and USDA Choice (24.5%). External fat thickness and marbling score differed among cities and store chains (P<0.01). © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Protein and quality analyses of accessions from the USDA soybean germplasm collection for tofu production.

    PubMed

    Meng, Shi; Chang, Sam; Gillen, Anne M; Zhang, Yan

    2016-12-15

    Food-grade soybeans with large seed size, uniformity, clear hilum and a high 11S/7S ratio are favoured by the food industry for making tofu. In order to search for soybean lines with desirable characteristics for making foods, 22 soybean lines were selected from the USDA-Soybean Germplasm Collection, were grown in Stoneville, MS for biochemical analysis and tofu texture and sensory quality tests. Eight lines were identified, from 22 lines harvested in 2014, to be suitable for tofu making, as judged by chemical composition and sensory quality of pressed tofu. In the filled tofu making and texture analysis study, the correlation between A3 subunit content and filled tofu firmness was significant (N=22, r=0.77, P<0.001). The results indicated that the A3 subunit could be an indicator for predicting the firmness of tofu. The results provided important food quality information for the selection of soybean genotypes for improving food quality. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. 7 CFR 58.250 - Dry whole milk.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Dry whole milk. 58.250 Section 58.250 Agriculture... Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.250 Dry whole milk. Dry whole milk in commercial bulk... Grades of Dry Whole Milk. Quality requirements for dry whole milk in consumer packages shall be for U.S...

  7. Proximate composition and energy content of beef steaks as influenced by USDA quality grade and degree of doneness.

    PubMed

    Smith, A M; Harris, K B; Haneklaus, A N; Savell, J W

    2011-10-01

    This study evaluated the influence of various degrees of doneness on proximate composition and energy content of beef. Ten steaks were obtained from each of five USDA Prime, five USDA Choice, and five USDA Select strip loins and assigned to one of five degree of doneness treatments (two sets of treatments per strip loin): raw, medium rare (63 °C), medium (71 °C), well done (77 °C), and very well done (82 °C). After cooking, steaks were dissected into separable tissue components consisting of lean, fat, and refuse. Lean tissue was used to obtain proximate analyses of protein, moisture, fat, and ash. Degree of doneness did influence (P<0.05) the nutrient composition of beef steaks. As the degree of doneness increased, percent fat and protein increased, while percent moisture decreased. Cooking steaks to a higher degree of doneness resulted in a higher caloric value when reported per 100g basis. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. Beef customer satisfaction: cooking method and degree of doneness effects on the top sirloin steak.

    PubMed

    Savell, J W; Lorenzen, C L; Neely, T R; Miller, R K; Tatum, J D; Wise, J W; Taylor, J F; Buyck, M J; Reagan, J O

    1999-03-01

    The objective of this research was to evaluate the consumer-controlled factors of cooking method and degree of doneness on Top Choice, Low Choice, High Select, and Low Select top sirloin steaks. The in-home product test was conducted in Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. Consumers (n = 2,212) evaluated each top sirloin steak for overall like (OLIKE), tenderness (TEND), juiciness (JUIC), flavor desirability (DFLAV), and flavor intensity (IFLAV) using 23-point hedonic scales. Top sirloin steaks, regardless of city, were consistently cooked to well done or higher degrees of doneness. Dry-heat methods such as outdoor grilling, broiling, and indoor grilling were the most frequent cooking methods used. Four significant interactions existed for OLIKE: USDA quality grade x cooking method (P = .02), city x cooking method (P = .0001), city x degree of doneness (P = .01), and cooking method x degree of doneness (P = .009). Greater differences were found between cooking methods within USDA quality grade than between USDA quality grades within cooking method. Consumers in Houston rated steaks cooked by outdoor grilling higher than those from the other cities, and steaks cooked by indoor grilling were rated the highest among all cooking methods by consumers in Chicago. In Chicago, steaks cooked to more advanced degrees of doneness tended to receive higher ratings, but few differences between degrees of doneness in the other three cities were detected. For outdoor grilling, broiling, and pan-frying, the trend was for OLIKE ratings to decline as degree of doneness increased. The lowest customer satisfaction ratings tended to be given to top sirloin steaks cooked to more advanced degrees of doneness, and consumers most frequently cooked steaks to at least the well done stage. Consumer information programs or the development of postmortem techniques that would ensure acceptable palatability of top sirloin steaks may need to be developed.

  9. 78 FR 25416 - United States Standards for Grades of Okra

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-05-01

    ... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Doc. Number AMS-FV-11-0054] United States Standards for Grades of Okra AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA...

  10. 7 CFR 999.500 - Safeguard procedures for walnuts, certain dates, and pistachios exempt from grade, size, quality...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS... entry of 8e commodities must be submitted online, mailed or faxed to the Marketing Order and Agreement...” (FV-6) with the Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, and...

  11. 7 CFR 999.500 - Safeguard procedures for walnuts, certain dates, and pistachios exempt from grade, size, quality...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS... entry of 8e commodities must be submitted online, mailed or faxed to the Marketing Order and Agreement...” (FV-6) with the Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, and...

  12. 7 CFR 999.500 - Safeguard procedures for walnuts and certain dates exempt from grade, size, quality, and maturity...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SPECIALTY CROPS; IMPORT REGULATIONS... cannot be used for drying and sale as dried walnuts); walnuts used in non-competitive outlets such as use... the Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Division, AMS, USDA, and shall show the...

  13. Consumer assessment of beef strip loin steaks of varying fat levels.

    PubMed

    O'Quinn, T G; Brooks, J C; Polkinghorne, R J; Garmyn, A J; Johnson, B J; Starkey, J D; Rathmann, R J; Miller, M F

    2012-02-01

    A consumer study was conducted in Lubbock, Texas, to determine the effects of fat level of beef strip steaks on the palatability traits of tenderness, juiciness, flavor liking, and overall liking, while further investigating the window of acceptability for fat content of beef. Thirty beef strip loins were selected by trained personnel to equally represent USDA Prime, High Choice (upper 1/3 Choice), Low Choice (lower 1/3 Choice), Select, and Standard. Proximate analysis was conducted on all strip loins to determine percentage fat, moisture, protein, and collagen. Three strip loins from each quality grade were selected based on fat percentages from proximate analysis to best represent each USDA quality grade for use in the consumer evaluations. Strip loins were fabricated into 2.5-cm steaks, and further processed into 5 × 5 cm pieces. In addition to the US-sourced product, beef LM pieces from 6 Australian Wagyu steers (Wagyu) and 6 Australian grain finished steers (Australian) were used in the consumer evaluations. Consumers (n = 120) were served 7 samples: a warm-up sample, 1 sample from each USDA quality grade treatment, and either a Wagyu or Australian sample, in a balanced order in accordance with a 6 × 6 Latin square. Consumers rated each steak sample for tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and overall liking and rated each palatability trait as either acceptable or unacceptable. Moreover, consumers rated each sample as unsatisfactory, good everyday quality, better than everyday quality, or premium quality. Tenderness, juiciness, flavor liking, and overall liking increased with increasing fat content (P < 0.05). However, Wagyu and Australian samples did not follow this trend for flavor and overall liking. A decrease in consumer acceptability of each palatability trait was observed as fat level decreased (P < 0.05). Consumer overall liking was correlated (P < 0.05) with consumer tenderness (r = 0.76) and juiciness ratings (r = 0.73), but most highly correlated with flavor liking (r = 0.88). Results of this study indicated that increased fat level in beef strip steaks positively affected tenderness, juiciness, flavor liking, and overall liking of beef strip steaks. Moreover, flavor liking was the most highly correlated palatability trait with overall liking. In US-sourced samples, fat level had a large effect on the flavor liking of beef as determined by consumers.

  14. Predicting red meat yields in carcasses from beef-type and calf-fed Holstein steers using the United States Department of Agriculture calculated yield grade.

    PubMed

    Lawrence, T E; Elam, N A; Miller, M F; Brooks, J C; Hilton, G G; VanOverbeke, D L; McKeith, F K; Killefer, J; Montgomery, T H; Allen, D M; Griffin, D B; Delmore, R J; Nichols, W T; Streeter, M N; Yates, D A; Hutcheson, J P

    2010-06-01

    Analyses were conducted to evaluate the ability of the USDA yield grade equation to detect differences in subprimal yield of beef-type steers and calf-fed Holstein steers that had been fed zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH; Intervet Inc., Millsboro, DE) as well as those that had not been fed ZH. Beef-type steer (n = 801) and calf-fed Holstein steer (n = 235) carcasses were fabricated into subprimal cuts and trim. Simple correlations between calculated yield grades and total red meat yields ranged from -0.56 to -0.62 for beef-type steers. Reliable correlations from calf-fed Holstein steers were unobtainable; the probability of a type I error met or exceeded 0.39. Linear models were developed for the beef-type steers to predict total red meat yield based on calculated USDA yield grade within each ZH duration. At an average calculated USDA yield grade of 2.9, beef-type steer carcasses that had not been fed ZH had an estimated 69.4% red meat yield, whereas those fed ZH had an estimated 70.7% red meat yield. These results indicate that feeding ZH increased red meat yield by 1.3% at a constant calculated yield grade. However, these data also suggest that the calculated USDA yield grade score is a poor and variable estimator (adjusted R(2) of 0.31 to 0.38) of total red meat yield of beef-type steer carcasses, regardless of ZH feeding. Moreover, no relationship existed (adjusted R(2) of 0.00 to 0.01) for calf-fed Holstein steer carcasses, suggesting the USDA yield grade is not a valid estimate of calf-fed Holstein red meat yield.

  15. Chapter 3:Sorting red maple logs for structural quality

    Treesearch

    Xiping Wang

    2005-01-01

    Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of wood materials has a long history of application in the wood products industry. Visual grading of lumber is perhaps one of the earliest NDE forms. Visual assessment of a piece of lumber requires the grader to estimate a strength ratio on the basis of observed external defects (USDA 1999). The ratio is used to estimate the strength of...

  16. 76 FR 251 - Country of Origin Labeling of Packed Honey

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-01-04

    ...-AC89 Country of Origin Labeling of Packed Honey AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION... addressing country of origin labeling for packed honey bearing any official USDA mark or statement. Also, the... origin labeling requirements are not met for packages of honey containing official USDA grade marks or...

  17. 7 CFR 58.528 - Microbiological requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Requirements for Cottage Cheese Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.528 Microbiological requirements. Compliance shall be...

  18. 7 CFR 58.652 - Composition requirements for sherbet.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Requirements for Finished Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.652 Composition...

  19. Online evaluation of a commercial video image analysis system (Computer Vision System) to predict beef carcass red meat yield and for augmenting the assignment of USDA yield grades. United States Department of Agriculture.

    PubMed

    Cannell, R C; Belk, K E; Tatum, J D; Wise, J W; Chapman, P L; Scanga, J A; Smith, G C

    2002-05-01

    Objective quantification of differences in wholesale cut yields of beef carcasses at plant chain speeds is important for the application of value-based marketing. This study was conducted to evaluate the ability of a commercial video image analysis system, the Computer Vision System (CVS) to 1) predict commercially fabricated beef subprimal yield and 2) augment USDA yield grading, in order to improve accuracy of grade assessment. The CVS was evaluated as a fully installed production system, operating on a full-time basis at chain speeds. Steer and heifer carcasses (n = 296) were evaluated using CVS, as well as by USDA expert and online graders, before the fabrication of carcasses into industry-standard subprimal cuts. Expert yield grade (YG), online YG, CVS estimated carcass yield, and CVS measured ribeye area in conjunction with expert grader estimates of the remaining YG factors (adjusted fat thickness, percentage of kidney-pelvic-heart fat, hot carcass weight) accounted for 67, 39, 64, and 65% of the observed variation in fabricated yields of closely trimmed subprimals. The dual component CVS predicted wholesale cut yields more accurately than current online yield grading, and, in an augmentation system, CVS ribeye measurement replaced estimated ribeye area in determination of USDA yield grade, and the accuracy of cutability prediction was improved, under packing plant conditions and speeds, to a level close to that of expert graders applying grades at a comfortable rate of speed offline.

  20. Dual-component video image analysis system (VIASCAN) as a predictor of beef carcass red meat yield percentage and for augmenting application of USDA yield grades.

    PubMed

    Cannell, R C; Tatum, J D; Belk, K E; Wise, J W; Clayton, R P; Smith, G C

    1999-11-01

    An improved ability to quantify differences in the fabrication yields of beef carcasses would facilitate the application of value-based marketing. This study was conducted to evaluate the ability of the Dual-Component Australian VIASCAN to 1) predict fabricated beef subprimal yields as a percentage of carcass weight at each of three fat-trim levels and 2) augment USDA yield grading, thereby improving accuracy of grade placement. Steer and heifer carcasses (n = 240) were evaluated using VIASCAN, as well as by USDA expert and online graders, before fabrication of carcasses to each of three fat-trim levels. Expert yield grade (YG), online YG, VIASCAN estimates, and VIASCAN estimated ribeye area used to augment actual and expert grader estimates of the remaining YG factors (adjusted fat thickness, percentage of kidney-pelvic-heart fat, and hot carcass weight), respectively, 1) accounted for 51, 37, 46, and 55% of the variation in fabricated yields of commodity-trimmed subprimals, 2) accounted for 74, 54, 66, and 75% of the variation in fabricated yields of closely trimmed subprimals, and 3) accounted for 74, 54, 71, and 75% of the variation in fabricated yields of very closely trimmed subprimals. The VIASCAN system predicted fabrication yields more accurately than current online yield grading and, when certain VIASCAN-measured traits were combined with some USDA yield grade factors in an augmentation system, the accuracy of cutability prediction was improved, at packing plant line speeds, to a level matching that of expert graders applying grades at a comfortable rate.

  1. 7 CFR 58.650 - Requirements for frozen custard.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Requirements for Finished Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.650 Requirements for frozen custard. The same...

  2. 7 CFR 58.248 - Nonfat dry milk.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Requirements for Finished Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.248 Nonfat dry milk. (a) Nonfat dry milk in commercial...

  3. 7 CFR 58.250 - Dry whole milk.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Requirements for Finished Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.250 Dry whole milk. Dry whole milk in commercial bulk...

  4. 7 CFR 58.248 - Nonfat dry milk.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Requirements for Finished Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.248 Nonfat dry milk. (a) Nonfat dry milk in commercial...

  5. 7 CFR 58.248 - Nonfat dry milk.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Requirements for Finished Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.248 Nonfat dry milk. (a) Nonfat dry milk in commercial...

  6. 7 CFR 58.347 - Butteroil or anhydrous milkfat.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Requirements for Finished Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.347 Butteroil or anhydrous milkfat. The flavor shall be...

  7. 7 CFR 58.251 - Dry buttermilk and dry buttermilk product.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Requirements for Finished Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.251 Dry buttermilk...

  8. Quantifying the aging response and nutrient composition for muscles of the beef round.

    PubMed

    Dixon, C L; Woerner, D R; Tokach, R J; Chapman, P L; Engle, T E; Tatum, J D; Belk, K E

    2012-03-01

    The objective of this study was to determine the optimal postmortem aging period and nutrient composition for Beef Value Cuts of the round. Forty USDA Select and 40 Premium USDA Choice beef carcasses were selected from a commercial beef packing plant in Colorado over a 12-wk period. The bottom and inside rounds were collected from both sides of each carcass for further fabrication into the following muscles: adductor, gastrocnemius, gracilis, pectineus, and superficial digital flexor. Each pair of muscles was cut into 7 steaks and randomly assigned to 1 of the following aging periods: 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 21, and 28 d, and placed in refrigerated storage (2°C, never frozen). Upon completion of the designated aging period, steaks were removed from storage, cooked to a peak internal temperature of 72°C, and evaluated using Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF). A 2-way interaction was detected (P < 0.05) between individual muscle and postmortem aging period. The WBSF of all muscles except the superficial digital flexor decreased with increased time of postmortem aging. Quality grade did not affect (P > 0.05) WBSF values for the adductor, gastrocnemius, pectineus, and superficial digital flexor muscles. Exponential decay models were used to predict the change in WBSF from 2 to 28 d postmortem (aging response). The adductor, gastrocnemius, Select gracilis, Premium Choice gracilis, and pectineus required 21, 14, 23, 23, and 25 d, respectively, to complete the majority of the aging response. To determine the nutrient composition of the adductor, gastrocnemius, gracilis, pectineus, semimembranosus, and superficial digital flexor, bottom and inside rounds were collected from 10 USDA Select and 10 Premium USDA Choice carcasses and fabricated into the respective muscles, cut into 2.54-cm cubes, frozen (-20°C), and then homogenized. The adductor, gracilis, pectineus, semimembranosus, and superficial digital flexor were analyzed for DM, moisture, CP, and ash percentages. All muscles were evaluated for total lipid, fatty acid, and cholesterol composition. When quality grades were combined, all muscles fell into the extra lean or lean categories specified by USDA guidelines. Results of this study illustrate the potential for Beef Value Cuts of the round to be sold in food service operations and retail stores with marketing emphasis being placed on the exceptional leanness and acceptable tenderness of these cuts.

  9. USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Creates Positive Change in Children's Consumption and Other Behaviors Related to Eating Fruit and Vegetables

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bica, Lori A.; Jamelske, Eric M.

    2012-01-01

    Purpose/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the 2009-2010 USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) on fruit intake and other behaviors related to fruit and vegetable consumption among Wisconsin fourth- and fifth-grade students. Methods: Participants were fourth- and fifth-grade from one FFVP school (n = 51)…

  10. Helping People Understand Soils - Perspectives from the US National Cooperative Soil Survey

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reich, Paul; Cheever, Tammy; Greene, Linda; Southard, Susan; Levin, Maxine; Lindbo, David L.; Monger, Curtis

    2017-04-01

    Throughout the history of the US National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS), soil science education has been a part of the mission to better understand one of our most precious natural resources: the Soil. The poster will highlight the many products and programs related to soils that USDA NRCS (soils.usda.gov) has developed over the years for K-12 and college/professional education. NRCS scientific publications covering topics on soil properties, soil classification, soil health and soil quality have become an important part of the university soil science curriculum. Classroom lesson plans and grade appropriate materials help K-12 teachers introduce soil concepts to students and include detailed instructions and materials for classroom demonstrations of soil properties. A Handbook for Collegiate Soils Contests support universities that conduct Collegiate Soil Judging contests.

  11. Registration of cotton germplasm USDA MD 16-1 and USDA MD 16-2 with enhanced lint yield and fiber quality.

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Upland cotton germplasm USDA MD 16-1 (Reg. No. __ and PI ___ ), and USDA MD 16-2 (Reg. No. ___ and PI___) (Gossypium hirsutum L.), have enhanced yield and good fiber quality. These germplasm lines were developed by the USDA-ARS, Stoneville, MS and released in 2017. Two crosses, MD 25-51 X MD 10-9-1 ...

  12. Nutrient database improvement project: Separable components and proximate composition of raw and cooked retail cuts from the beef loin and round.

    PubMed

    Acheson, R J; Woerner, D R; Martin, J N; Belk, K E; Engle, T E; Brown, T R; Brooks, J C; Luna, A M; Thompson, L D; Grimes, H L; Arnold, A N; Savell, J W; Gehring, K B; Douglass, L W; Howe, J C; Patterson, K Y; Roseland, J M; Williams, J R; Cifelli, A; Leheska, J M; McNeill, S H

    2015-12-01

    Beef nutrition research has become increasingly important domestically and internationally for the beef industry and its consumers. The objective of this study was to analyze the nutrient composition of ten beef loin and round cuts to update the nutrient data in the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Seventy-two carcasses representing a national composite of Yield Grade, Quality Grade, sex classification, and genetic type were identified from six regions across the U.S. Beef short loins, strip loins, tenderloins, inside rounds, and eye of rounds (NAMP # 173, 175, 190A, 169A, and 171C) were collected from the selected carcasses and shipped to three university meat laboratories for storage, retail fabrication, and raw/cooked analysis of nutrients. Sample homogenates from each animal were analyzed for proximate composition. These data provide updated information regarding the nutrient status of beef, in addition, to determining the influence of Quality Grade, Yield Grade, and sex classification on nutrient composition. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  13. Consumer assessment of beef palatability from four beef muscles from USDA Choice and Select graded carcasses.

    PubMed

    Hunt, M R; Garmyn, A J; O'Quinn, T G; Corbin, C H; Legako, J F; Rathmann, R J; Brooks, J C; Miller, M F

    2014-09-01

    Consumer sensory analysis was conducted to determine differences in beef palatability between two quality grade categories [Upper 2/3 (Top) Choice and Select] and four muscles [longissimus lumborum (LL), gluteus medius (GM), serratus ventralis (SV), and semimembranosus (SM)]. Generally, tenderness, flavor, and overall liking scores were more desirable for Top Choice compared to Select, regardless of muscle. Consumers rated LL as more tender (P<0.05) than SV and SM, but similar to GM (P=0.52). Overall and flavor acceptability were similar (P>0.05) between LL, GM, and SV, regardless of quality grade. Consumer overall liking was most highly correlated with flavor liking (r=0.85). When tenderness was acceptable, flavor and juiciness played a major role in determining overall acceptability. Overall liking of GM and SV from Top Choice carcasses was superior to LL from Select carcasses and comparable to LL from Top Choice carcasses. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Hardwood log grades and lumber grade yields for factory lumber logs

    Treesearch

    Leland F. Hanks; Glenn L. Gammon; Robert L. Brisbin; Everette D. Rast

    1980-01-01

    The USDA Forest Service Standard Grades for Hardwood Factory Lumber Logs are described, and lumber grade yields for 16 species and 2 species groups are presented by log grade and log diameter. The grades enable foresters, log buyers, and log sellers to select and grade those log suitable for conversion into standard factory grade lumber. By using the apropriate lumber...

  15. Assessment of volatile compounds, neutral and polar lipid fatty acids of four beef muscles from USDA Choice and Select graded carcasses and their relationships with consumer palatability scores and intramuscular fat content.

    PubMed

    Hunt, M R; Legako, J F; Dinh, T T N; Garmyn, A J; O'Quinn, T G; Corbin, C H; Rathmann, R J; Brooks, J C; Miller, M F

    2016-06-01

    Fatty acids (FA) in neutral and polar lipids (NL and PL) and volatile compounds were determined in Gluteus medius (GM), Longissimus lumborum (LL), Serratus ventralis (SV), and Semimembranosus (SM) muscles from upper 2/3 USDA Choice and Select quality grades (QG). Concentrations of NL FA (mg/g) were influenced by intramuscular fat (IMF) content being greater in upper 2/3 Choice compared with Select. The SV contained greater concentrations of NL FA; meanwhile, the SM contained the lowest quantities of NL FA. Percentages (g/100g of total FA) of NL SFA and MUFA were increased in beef with greater IMF content. Concentrations and percentages of PL FA had muscle specific differences between QG. Volatile compounds were primarily affected by muscle. Increases in SFA and MUFA were related with consumer liking, regardless of lipid fraction. Overall the influence of QG on SFA and MUFA was muscle specific. Therefore, each muscle may require specific considerations when considering FA, volatile compounds, and ultimately consumer liking. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Performance, carcass and palatability characteristics of Longhorn and other types of cattle.

    PubMed

    Adams, N J; Smith, G C; Carpenter, Z L

    1982-07-01

    Performance, carcass and palatability characteristics of Longhorn steers were compared with those of cattle currently popular in the United States-Hereford, Angus, Brahman, Holstein, two-breed crossbred (British beef breed crosses) and three-breed crossbred (1 4 dairy , 1 4 British beef and 1 2 European beef ) steers. Steers were fed roughage, then a growing diet (42 days), then a high energy (89% concentrate) diet (153 to 179 days by breed group) and slaughtered, individually, at USDA Choice finish or, failing that, after 186 days on the finishing diet. Data suggest that Longhorns, compared with types of cattle currently used: (1) are less desirable in physical appearance; (2) gain weight less rapidly, reaching the desired finish and slaughter weight as older animals; (3) convert feed to liveweight less efficiently; (4) deposit less subcutaneous fat, more internal fat, but essentially the same amount of intramuscular fat; (5) are as muscular (longissimus muscle area, estimated percentage of carcass muscle, muscle to bone ratio, muscle to fat ratio); (6) are as desirable in USDA quality grade and yield grade and (7) produce beef that is a palatable. Copyright © 1982. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  17. A key for the Forest Service hardwood tree grades

    Treesearch

    Gary W. Miller; Leland F. Hanks; Harry V., Jr. Wiant

    1986-01-01

    A dichotomous key organizes the USDA Forest Service hardwood tree grade specifications into a stepwise procedure for those learning to grade hardwood sawtimber. The key addresses the major grade factors, tree size, surface characteristics, and allowable cull deductions in a series of paried choices that lead the user to a decision regarding tree grade.

  18. "Who ate our corn?" We want to know and so should you!

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The Future Scientists Program is designed to assist USDA/Hispanic Serving Institutions National Program reach out to communities, schools (grades K-12) and undergraduates with hands-on, inquiry-based activities that link them with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Agricultural Research ...

  19. 7 CFR 58.343 - Storage of finished product in coolers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... (CONTINUED) GRADING AND INSPECTION, GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading... ready for distribution or shipment. The products shall not be placed directly on floors or exposed to...

  20. 75 FR 43141 - United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Vegetables

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-07-23

    ..., USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking research... identified in this notice. The term using the letter grade would be retained, and the descriptive term would...

  1. 7 CFR 70.51 - Form of grademark and information required.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... (CONTINUED) VOLUNTARY GRADING OF POULTRY PRODUCTS AND RABBIT PRODUCTS Grading of Poultry Products and Rabbit... any manner in connection with poultry or rabbits, shall be deemed prima facia to constitute a... authorized, the grademark permitted to be used to officially identify USDA consumer-graded poultry and rabbit...

  2. 7 CFR 58.124 - Denial or suspension of plant approval.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Denial or suspension of plant approval. 58.124 Section... (CONTINUED) GRADING AND INSPECTION, GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading...

  3. USDA's National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP) Produces High-Quality Data for USDA Food Composition Databases: Two Decades of Collaboration

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    For nearly 20 years, the National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP) has expanded and improved the quantity and quality of data in US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) food composition databases through the collection and analysis of nationally representative food samples. This manuscript d...

  4. Multivariate regression model for predicting yields of grade lumber from yellow birch sawlogs

    Treesearch

    Andrew F. Howard; Daniel A. Yaussy

    1986-01-01

    A multivariate regression model was developed to predict green board-foot yields for the common grades of factory lumber processed from yellow birch factory-grade logs. The model incorporates the standard log measurements of scaling diameter, length, proportion of scalable defects, and the assigned USDA Forest Service log grade. Differences in yields between band and...

  5. 7 CFR 58.705 - Meaning of words.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Supplemental Specifications for Plants Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging Pasteurized Process Cheese and Related Products...

  6. 7 CFR 58.705 - Meaning of words.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Supplemental Specifications for Plants Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging Pasteurized Process Cheese and Related Products...

  7. 7 CFR 58.705 - Meaning of words.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Supplemental Specifications for Plants Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging Pasteurized Process Cheese and Related Products...

  8. 7 CFR 58.705 - Meaning of words.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Supplemental Specifications for Plants Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging Pasteurized Process Cheese and Related Products...

  9. 7 CFR 56.36 - Form of grademark and information required.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... (CONTINUED) VOLUNTARY GRADING OF SHELL EGGS Grading of Shell Eggs Identifying and Marking Products § 56.36... purposes of this part and when used, imitated, or simulated in any manner in connection with shell eggs... officially identify USDA consumer-graded shell eggs shall be of the form and design indicated in Figures 2...

  10. 7 CFR 56.36 - Form of grademark and information required.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... (CONTINUED) VOLUNTARY GRADING OF SHELL EGGS Grading of Shell Eggs Identifying and Marking Products § 56.36... purposes of this part and when used, imitated, or simulated in any manner in connection with shell eggs... officially identify USDA consumer-graded shell eggs shall be of the form and design indicated in Figures 2...

  11. Beef customer satisfaction: USDA quality grade and marination effects on consumer evaluations of top round steaks.

    PubMed

    Behrends, J M; Goodson, K J; Koohmaraie, M; Shackelford, S D; Wheeler, T L; Morgan, W W; Reagan, J O; Gwartney, B L; Wise, J W; Savell, J W

    2005-03-01

    An in-home beef study evaluated consumer ratings of top round steaks (semimembranosus) as influenced by USDA quality grade (top Choice or high Select), city (Chicago or Philadelphia), consumer segment (beef loyalists = heavy consumers of beef; budget rotators = cost-driven and split meat consumption between beef and chicken; and variety rotators = higher incomes and education and split meat consumption among beef, poultry, and other foods), degree of doneness, cooking method, and marination. Consumers evaluated each steak for overall like, tenderness, juiciness, flavor like, and flavor amount using 10-point scales (1 = dislike extremely, not at all tender, not at all juicy, dislike extremely, and none at all to 10 = like extremely, extremely tender, extremely juicy, like extremely, and an extreme amount of flavor, respectively). Quality grade affected several consumer sensory traits, with top Choice receiving higher (P < or = 0.004) tenderness, juiciness, and flavor like scores than high Select. Consumers in Chicago rated steaks cooked "medium and less" higher for overall like, tenderness, juiciness, flavor like, and flavor amount than those in Philadelphia (city x degree of doneness; P < or = 0.020). Steaks braised by customers in Philadelphia received among the highest scores for overall like, tenderness, juiciness, flavor like, and flavor amount compared with any cooking method used by customers in Chicago (cooking method x city; P < or = 0.026). Overall like and flavor amount ratings were least (P < 0.05) for steaks that were marinated and cooked to "medium and less" degree of doneness (marination x degree of doneness; P < or = 0.014). Braised steaks received among the highest values for overall like, tenderness, juiciness, flavor like, and flavor amount when cooked to "medium and less" or "medium well and more" (cooking method x degree of doneness; P < or = 0.008). Correlation and stepwise regression analysis indicated that flavor like was pivotal in customers' satisfaction with top round steaks, and was the sensory trait most highly correlated to overall like, followed by tenderness, flavor amount, and juiciness. Preparation of top round steaks was crucial in consumers' likes and dislikes, and by improving flavor, higher consumer satisfaction may be achieved.

  12. 77 FR 41165 - Notice of Meeting of the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-07-12

    ... Agricultural Air Quality Task Force AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of meeting. SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Air Quality Task Force (AAQTF) will.../Concerns Discussion Continued discussion of goals for Task Force Anaerobic Digester Technologies Odor...

  13. 77 FR 6772 - United States Standards for Grades of Okra

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-02-09

    ... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Document No. AMS-FV-11-0054] United States Standards for Grades of Okra AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking research and other work associated with...

  14. 7 CFR 58.930 - Official test methods.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Operations and Operating Procedures § 58.930 Official test methods. (a) Chemical. Chemical analysis, except where otherwise prescribed...

  15. 7 CFR 58.930 - Official test methods.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Operations and Operating Procedures § 58.930 Official test methods. (a) Chemical. Chemical analysis, except where otherwise prescribed...

  16. 7 CFR 58.930 - Official test methods.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Operations and Operating Procedures § 58.930 Official test methods. (a) Chemical. Chemical analysis, except where otherwise prescribed...

  17. 7 CFR 58.930 - Official test methods.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Operations and Operating Procedures § 58.930 Official test methods. (a) Chemical. Chemical analysis, except where otherwise prescribed...

  18. 7 CFR 58.930 - Official test methods.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Operations and Operating Procedures § 58.930 Official test methods. (a) Chemical. Chemical analysis, except where otherwise prescribed...

  19. Modified Pressure System for Imaging Egg Cracks

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    One aspect of grading table eggs is shell checks or cracks. Currently, USDA voluntary regulations require that humans grade a representative sample of all eggs processed. However, as processing plants and packing facilities continue to increase their volume and throughput, human graders are having ...

  20. Modified Pressure System for Imaging Egg Cracks

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Abstract One aspect of grading table eggs is shell checks or cracks. Currently, USDA voluntary regulations require that humans grade a representative sample of all eggs processed. However, as processing plants and packing facilities continue to increase their volume and throughput, human graders a...

  1. 7 CFR 58.809 - Pasteurization.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Operations and Operating... drying operations for dry whey take place at the same plant, the pasteurization may be located at a...

  2. 7 CFR 58.809 - Pasteurization.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Operations and Operating... drying operations for dry whey take place at the same plant, the pasteurization may be located at a...

  3. 7 CFR 58.809 - Pasteurization.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Operations and Operating... drying operations for dry whey take place at the same plant, the pasteurization may be located at a...

  4. 78 FR 283 - United States Standards for Grades of Eggplant

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-01-03

    ... that permitting mixed colors and/or type packs will facilitate the marketing of eggplant by providing... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Doc. Number FV-11-0052] United States Standards for Grades of Eggplant AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Final notice. SUMMARY...

  5. 78 FR 52131 - United States Standards for Grades of Creole Onions

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-08-22

    ... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Doc. Number AMS-FV-13-0018] United States Standards for Grades of Creole Onions AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice..., which were issued under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS...

  6. 75 FR 22551 - United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Blueberries

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-04-29

    ... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Doc. No. AMS-FV-09-0052; FV-09-326] United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Blueberries AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice; withdrawal. SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), of the United States...

  7. 7 CFR 58.148 - Plant records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Plant records. 58.148 Section 58.148 Agriculture..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Operations and Operating...

  8. 7 CFR 58.148 - Plant records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Plant records. 58.148 Section 58.148 Agriculture..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Operations and Operating...

  9. 7 CFR 58.148 - Plant records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Plant records. 58.148 Section 58.148 Agriculture..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Operations and Operating...

  10. 7 CFR 58.526 - Official identification.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Official identification. 58.526 Section 58.526..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Requirements for Cottage...

  11. The effect of branding on consumer palatability ratings of beef strip loin steaks.

    PubMed

    Wilfong, A K; McKillip, K V; Gonzalez, J M; Houser, T A; Unruh, J A; Boyle, E A E; O'Quinn, T G

    2016-11-01

    The objective of this study was to determine the influence of knowing the brand or USDA grade on consumer palatability ratings of beef strip loin steaks. Strip loins were selected to represent 5 USDA grades and brands, USDA Select, Choice, Prime, Certified Angus Beef (CAB; upper 2/3 Choice), and Select, from carcasses of cattle classified as Angus on the basis of phenotype. After 21 d of aging, 2.5-cm-thick steaks were cut, consecutively cut steaks were paired for consumer evaluation. Consumer panelists ( = 112) evaluated samples for tenderness, juiciness, flavor liking, and overall liking. Additionally, consumers rated each palatability trait as either acceptable or unacceptable. Samples were fed in 2 rounds on the same day: blind and informed testing. In the first round, blind testing, consumers were served 1 sample from each treatment, with no product information provided. In the second round, consumers were informed of the brand or quality grade prior to sampling. During blind testing, CAB rated similar ( > 0.05) to Choice for all palatability traits; however, CAB rated greater ( < 0.05) than Choice for all traits during informed testing. Additionally, Angus Select and Select were rated similar > 0.05) for all traits when tested blind, but Angus Select was rated greater ( < 0.05) than Select for flavor and overall liking when brand was declared. When comparing blind and informed ratings, Angus Select and CAB had greater ( < 0.05) ratings for juiciness, flavor liking, and overall liking, and Prime had increased ( < 0.05) ratings for flavor liking and overall liking because of brand disclosure. However, ratings for Choice and Select samples were unaffected ( > 0.05) when brand was disclosed. Brand knowledge increased ( < 0.05) the percentage of Prime samples rated as acceptable for flavor and the percentage of Angus Select samples rated as acceptable for flavor and overall liking. Conversely, there was no difference ( > 0.05) in the percentage of Choice and Select samples rated as acceptable for all palatability traits. These data indicate that Prime, CAB, and Angus Select steaks receive an increase in consumer palatability perception, or "brand lift," which does not occur for Choice and Select beef.

  12. Association analysis using USDA diverse rice (Oryza sativa L.) germplasm collections to identify loci influencing grain quality traits

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    he USDA rice (Oryza sativa L.) core subset (RCS) was assembled to represent the genetic diversity of the entire USDA-ARS National Small Grains Collection and consists of 1,794 accessions from 114 countries. The USDA rice mini-core (MC) is a subset of 217 accessions from the RCS and was selected to ...

  13. 7 CFR 58.443 - Whey handling.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Operations and Operating... objectionable odors. (b) Whey or whey products intended for human food shall at all times be handled in a...

  14. 7 CFR 58.528 - Microbiological requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... based on 3 out of 5 consecutive samples taken at the time of packaging. (a) Coliform. Not more than 10..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Requirements for Cottage...

  15. 7 CFR 58.528 - Microbiological requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... based on 3 out of 5 consecutive samples taken at the time of packaging. (a) Coliform. Not more than 10..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Requirements for Cottage...

  16. 7 CFR 58.528 - Microbiological requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... based on 3 out of 5 consecutive samples taken at the time of packaging. (a) Coliform. Not more than 10..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Requirements for Cottage...

  17. 7 CFR 58.528 - Microbiological requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... based on 3 out of 5 consecutive samples taken at the time of packaging. (a) Coliform. Not more than 10..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Requirements for Cottage...

  18. 7 CFR 58.217 - Evaporators and/or vacuum pans.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Equipment and Utensils § 58... from the condensing of product (cow water) in this equipment may be utilized for prerinsing and...

  19. 7 CFR 58.217 - Evaporators and/or vacuum pans.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Equipment and Utensils § 58... from the condensing of product (cow water) in this equipment may be utilized for prerinsing and...

  20. 7 CFR 58.217 - Evaporators and/or vacuum pans.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Equipment and Utensils § 58... from the condensing of product (cow water) in this equipment may be utilized for prerinsing and...

  1. 77 FR 6774 - United States Standards for Grades of Eggplant

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-02-09

    ... that mixing colors and/or types of eggplant in a specialty pack is a current marketing practice. The U... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Doc. AMS-FV-11-0052] United States Standards for Grades of Eggplant AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The...

  2. Lubbock Gin Lab - Current Research and Leaf Grade Issues

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    This presentation was given to a group of cotton gin managers and allied industry reps. Approximately 100 attendees were in the audience. A discussion of the current research conducted at the USDA ARS CPPRU Ginning Laboratory in Lubbock, TX was given along with a discussion of leaf grade issues and ...

  3. USDA, ARS Soft Wheat Quality Laboratory, Annual Report 2011

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The report describes new activities for the lab including the a transitions in the laboratory and activites on the USDA, NIFA-funded Triticeae CAP project. Recent research on milling and quality evaluations, data management, molecular evaluations, stem rust resistance from the lab are highlighted, ...

  4. Evaluation of an automated hardwood lumber grading system

    Treesearch

    D. Earl Kline; Philip A. Araman; Chris Surak

    2001-01-01

    Over the last 10 years, scientists at the Thomas M. Brooks Forest Products Center, the Bradley Department of Electrical Engineering, and the USDA Forest Service have been working on lumber scanning systems that can accurately locate and identify defects in hardwood lumber. Current R&D efforts are targeted toward developing automated lumber grading technologies....

  5. 76 FR 34031 - United States Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-06-10

    ...The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is withdrawing a notice soliciting comments on its proposed revision to the United States Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins. Based on the petitioner's request to withdraw their petition, the agency has decided not to proceed with this action.

  6. 78 FR 52079 - Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida; Relaxing Size and Grade...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-08-22

    ... Requirements on Valencia and Other Late Type Oranges AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION...). The interim rule reduced the minimum size for Valencia and other late type oranges shipped to... interim rule also lowered the minimum grade for Valencia and other late type oranges shipped to interstate...

  7. 78 FR 28115 - Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida; Relaxing Size and Grade...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-05-14

    ... Requirements on Valencia and Other Late Type Oranges AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION...). This rule reduces the minimum size requirement for Valencia and other late type oranges shipped to... also reduces the minimum grade requirement for Valencia and other late type oranges shipped to...

  8. Effects of USDA carcass maturity on sensory attributes of beef produced by grain-finished steers and heifers classified as less than 30 months old using dentition.

    PubMed

    Acheson, R J; Woerner, D R; Tatum, J D

    2014-04-01

    This study compared sensory properties of LM steaks from A maturity and B maturity or older carcasses that were produced by grain-finished steers and heifers classified as less than 30 mo old at the time of slaughter using dentition. Carcasses were selected to represent 2 maturity groups and 3 marbling categories within each maturity group, resulting in 6 maturity × marbling subclasses, each subclass consisting of 75 carcasses. Maturity groups consisted of carcasses classified by USDA graders as either A(00) to A(99) overall (A) maturity or B(00) to C(99) overall (B-C) maturity; marbling categories consisted of carcasses with instrument marbling scores of Slight (SL), Small (SM), or Modest(00) or greater (MT+). Carcasses were selected in pairs so that each carcass chosen to represent the B-C maturity group was paired with an A maturity carcass of the same sex and marbling score (± 30 marbling units). Strip loin (LM) steaks were obtained from both sides of each carcass. After a 14-d aging period, 1 LM steak was measured for Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and slice shear force (SSF), whereas the other LM steak was used for sensory analysis by a trained descriptive attribute panel. No differences (P > 0.05) in WBSF, SSF, or sensory panel ratings for tenderness, juiciness, or flavor were detected between LM steaks from carcasses classified as A maturity and steaks from B-C maturity carcasses. However, marbling categories effectively stratified carcasses (MT+ > SM > SL) according to differences (P < 0.0001) in LM tenderness, juiciness, meaty/brothy flavor, and buttery/beef fat flavor. Increased marbling also was associated with lesser (P < 0.01) intensities of bloody/serumy and livery/organy flavors and reduced (P < 0.01) values for WBSF and SSF. Of the traits tested, only bloody/serumy flavor was affected (P < 0.05) by the maturity × marbling interaction. Interaction means showed that LM steaks from B-C maturity carcasses with SL marbling had a less intense bloody/serumy flavor than did steaks from A maturity carcasses with SL marbling. Results of this study suggest that, when applied to carcasses from grain-finished cattle whose dental ages are less than 30 mo old at the time of slaughter, USDA quality grades would be no less effective in identifying eating quality differences if the A and B-C maturity groups were combined and quality grades were assigned using only marbling.

  9. Automated hardwood lumber grading utilizing a multiple sensor machine vision technology

    Treesearch

    D. Earl Kline; Chris Surak; Philip A. Araman

    2003-01-01

    Over the last 10 years, scientists at the Thomas M. Brooks Forest Products Center, the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the USDA Forest Service have been working on lumber scanning systems that can accurately locate and identify defects in hardwood lumber. Current R&D efforts are targeted toward developing automated lumber grading...

  10. Is seedling grading beneficial to artificial regeneration of northern red oaks?

    Treesearch

    Paul P. Kormanik; Shi-Jean S. Sung; Stanley J. Zarnoch

    2005-01-01

    Effective and consistent success with artificial regeneration of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) has been achieved on many sites using 1-0 graded seedlings produced with the nursery protocol developed by the USDA Forest Service at the Institute of Tree Root Biology in cooperation with the Georgia Forestry Commission. Small northern red oak (NRO)...

  11. 78 FR 42928 - Draft Environmental Assessment for the Cotton Quality Research Station Land Transfer

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-07-18

    ... Research Station (CQRS) from the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Clemson, South Carolina, to... comments related to the proposed CQRS Land Transfer by any of the following methods: Email: [email protected]ars.usda.gov , Fax: 309-681-6683. Mail: USDA-ARS-SHEMB, NCAUR, 1815 North University Avenue, Room 2016...

  12. Chapter 9. Data Management, Storage, and Reporting

    Treesearch

    Linda A. Spencer; Mary M. Manning; Bryce Rickel

    2013-01-01

    Data collected for a habitat monitoring program must be managed and stored to be accessible for current and future use inside and outside the Forest Service. Information maintenance and dissemination are important to the Forest Service; they are part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines for information quality (USDA 2002) under the Data Quality Act...

  13. Vineyard management practices and the quality of grapes and grape products in the Pacific Northwest - USDA-ARS CRIS (Current Research Information System) project

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    One of our three program goals for this USDA-ARS-CRIS project is to determine the effects of vineyard and vine microclimate (sunlight, temperature, humidity, etc) upon fruit development, vine productivity, and fruit quality, particularly phenolic compounds. Plant phenolics are important due to their...

  14. 7 CFR 58.311 - Coolers and freezers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Rooms and Compartments § 58... further processing. Coolers and freezers shall be kept clean, orderly, free from insects, rodents, and...

  15. 7 CFR 58.311 - Coolers and freezers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Rooms and Compartments § 58... further processing. Coolers and freezers shall be kept clean, orderly, free from insects, rodents, and...

  16. 7 CFR 58.311 - Coolers and freezers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Rooms and Compartments § 58... further processing. Coolers and freezers shall be kept clean, orderly, free from insects, rodents, and...

  17. 7 CFR 58.311 - Coolers and freezers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Rooms and Compartments § 58... further processing. Coolers and freezers shall be kept clean, orderly, free from insects, rodents, and...

  18. 7 CFR 58.311 - Coolers and freezers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Rooms and Compartments § 58... further processing. Coolers and freezers shall be kept clean, orderly, free from insects, rodents, and...

  19. Scanning Hardwood Lumber for Processing and Grading - What To Do Now and Why

    Treesearch

    D. Earl Kline; Richard Conners; Philip A. Araman

    1997-01-01

    A cooperative effort between Virginia Tech, the USDA Forest Service, and the industry has led to the development of a new scanning technology to automatically detect lumber grading features that affect the value of the end product. This effort has resulted in several commercial scanning systems now available through Group Seven Systems and Nova Technologies. These...

  20. Evaluation of a multi-sensor machine vision system for automated hardwood lumber grading

    Treesearch

    D. Earl Kline; Chris Surak; Philip A. Araman

    2000-01-01

    Over the last 10 years, scientists at the Thomas M. Brooks Forest Products Center, the Bradley Department of Electrical Engineering, and the USDA Forest Service have been working on lumber scanning systems that can accurately locate and identify defects in hardwood lumber. Current R&D efforts are targeted toward developing automated lumber grading technologies. The...

  1. Report on 2015 EPA-USDA National Workshop

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This report is a summary of the discussions among workshop participants on a broad variety of issues related to the development and operation of water quality markets and actions that the EPA and USDA are pursuing.

  2. Meeting Total Fat Requirements for School Lunches: Influence of School Policies and Characteristics. ERS Report Summary

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Newman, Constance; Guthrie, Joanne; Mancino, Lisa; Ralston, Katherine; Musiker, Melissa

    2009-01-01

    Concerns about child obesity have raised questions about the quality of meals served in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Local, State, and Federal policymakers responded to these concerns beginning in the mid-1990s by instituting a range of policies and standards to improve the quality of USDA-subsidized meals. While most of USDA's…

  3. Development and validation of equations utilizing lamb vision system output to predict lamb carcass fabrication yields.

    PubMed

    Cunha, B C N; Belk, K E; Scanga, J A; LeValley, S B; Tatum, J D; Smith, G C

    2004-07-01

    This study was performed to validate previous equations and to develop and evaluate new regression equations for predicting lamb carcass fabrication yields using outputs from a lamb vision system-hot carcass component (LVS-HCC) and the lamb vision system-chilled carcass LM imaging component (LVS-CCC). Lamb carcasses (n = 149) were selected after slaughter, imaged hot using the LVS-HCC, and chilled for 24 to 48 h at -3 to 1 degrees C. Chilled carcasses yield grades (YG) were assigned on-line by USDA graders and by expert USDA grading supervisors with unlimited time and access to the carcasses. Before fabrication, carcasses were ribbed between the 12th and 13th ribs and imaged using the LVS-CCC. Carcasses were fabricated into bone-in subprimal/primal cuts. Yields calculated included 1) saleable meat yield (SMY); 2) subprimal yield (SPY); and 3) fat yield (FY). On-line (whole-number) USDA YG accounted for 59, 58, and 64%; expert (whole-number) USDA YG explained 59, 59, and 65%; and expert (nearest-tenth) USDA YG accounted for 60, 60, and 67% of the observed variation in SMY, SPY, and FY, respectively. The best prediction equation developed in this trial using LVS-HCC output and hot carcass weight as independent variables explained 68, 62, and 74% of the variation in SMY, SPY, and FY, respectively. Addition of output from LVS-CCC improved predictive accuracy of the equations; the combined output equations explained 72 and 66% of the variability in SMY and SPY, respectively. Accuracy and repeatability of measurement of LM area made with the LVS-CCC also was assessed, and results suggested that use of LVS-CCC provided reasonably accurate (R2 = 0.59) and highly repeatable (repeatability = 0.98) measurements of LM area. Compared with USDA YG, use of the dual-component lamb vision system to predict cut yields of lamb carcasses improved accuracy and precision, suggesting that this system could have an application as an objective means for pricing carcasses in a value-based marketing system.

  4. USDA-EPA Collaborative Ammonia Research

    EPA Science Inventory

    In 2014, a work group was formed between USDA and EPA to facilitate information exchange on ammonia emissions from agriculture, air quality impacts and emission mitigation options and to identify opportunities for collaboration. This document provides background on the work grou...

  5. 76 FR 51343 - United States Standards for Grades of Grapefruit Juice

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-08-18

    ... AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking research and other work associated with revising... / Thursday, August 18, 2011 / Notices#0;#0; [[Page 51343

  6. Introduction to HACCP.

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Introduction to HACCP Deana R. Jones, Ph.D. Egg Safety and Quality Research Unit USDA-Agricultural Research Service Russell Research Center Athens, GA Deana.Jones@ars.usda.gov HACCP is an acronym for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point and was initially developed by the Pillsbury Company a...

  7. Food Crystalization and Eggs

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Food Crystalization and Eggs Deana R. Jones, Ph.D. USDA Agricultural Research Service Egg Safety and Quality Research Unit Athens, Georgia, USA Deana.Jones@ars.usda.gov Sugar, salt, lactose, tartaric acid and ice are examples of constituents than can crystallize in foods. Crystallization in a foo...

  8. Quality-control materials in the USDA National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP).

    PubMed

    Phillips, Katherine M; Patterson, Kristine Y; Rasor, Amy S; Exler, Jacob; Haytowitz, David B; Holden, Joanne M; Pehrsson, Pamela R

    2006-03-01

    The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nutrient Data Laboratory (NDL) develops and maintains the USDA National Nutrient Databank System (NDBS). Data are released from the NDBS for scientific and public use through the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR) ( http://www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/ndl ). In 1997 the NDL initiated the National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP) to update and expand its food-composition data. The program included: 1) nationwide probability-based sampling of foods; 2) central processing and archiving of food samples; 3) analysis of food components at commercial, government, and university laboratories; 4) incorporation of new analytical data into the NDBS; and 5) dissemination of these data to the scientific community. A key feature and strength of the NFNAP was a rigorous quality-control program that enabled independent verification of the accuracy and precision of analytical results. Custom-made food-control composites and/or commercially available certified reference materials were sent to the laboratories, blinded, with the samples. Data for these materials were essential to ongoing monitoring of analytical work, to identify and resolve suspected analytical problems, to ensure the accuracy and precision of results for the NFNAP food samples.

  9. 75 FR 72935 - Apricots Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Temporary Relaxation of the Minimum Grade...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-11-29

    ... FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert J. Curry or Gary D. Olson, Northwest Marketing Field Office, Marketing...: (503) 326-7440, or E-mail: Robert.Curry@ams.usda.gov or [email protected] . Small businesses may...

  10. National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference - Find Nutrient Value of Common Foods by Nutrient

    MedlinePlus

    ... grams Household * required field ​ USDA Food Composition Databases Software developed by the National Agricultural Library v.3.9.4.1 2018-06-11 NAL Home | USDA.gov | Agricultural Research Service | Plain Language | FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Information Quality | Privacy ...

  11. Yield grade and carcass weight effects on the cutability of lamb carcasses fabricated into innovative style subprimals.

    PubMed

    Garrett, R P; Savell, J W; Cross, H R; Johnson, H K

    1992-06-01

    Lamb carcass (n = 100) were selected from USDA yield grades (YG) 2, 3, and 4 and carcass weight (CW) groups 20.4 to 24.9, 25.0 to 29.5, and 29.6 to 34.0 kg. Lamb carcass were fabricated into semiboneless and boneless subprimals and trimmed to three s.c. fat trim levels: .64, .25, and .00 cm of fat remaining. Innovative subprimals were fabricated and yields were calculated for the subprimals and dissectible components (lean, bone, connective tissue, external fat, and seam fat) from each of the various subprimals. Carcass weight as a main effect in a two-way analysis of variance did not account for a significant amount of the variation in yield among trimmed subprimals or the percentage of the dissectible components, but USDA YG was a significant main effect in determining variation in yield for many of the subprimals or dissectible components. Muscle seaming of shoulders and legs and removal of excessive tails on the loin and rack resulted in a majority of the seam fat being removed from these cuts. Dissection data clearly showed that seam fat is a major component of rack and shoulder cuts and with increasing fatness or higher numerical yield grade there are clearly increased amounts of this depot. Increased trimming of external fat magnifies and draws more attention to the amount of seam fat remaining. Production of heavy, lean lambs would be more useful in an innovative type of program because of the larger-sized muscles. Heavy, fat lambs would not be as useful because of their decreased yields and excess seam fat located in cuts that cannot be muscled-seamed because of the loss of retail cut integrity. Seam fat was highly correlated to percentage of kidney and pelvic fat and to external fat thickness and with USDA yield grade but was not strongly correlated to carcass weight.

  12. The challenge of documenting water quality benefits of conservation practices: a review of USDA-ARS's conservation effects assessment project watershed studies.

    PubMed

    Tomer, M D; Locke, M A

    2011-01-01

    The Conservation Effects Assessment Project was established to quantify water quality benefits of conservation practices supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In 2004, watershed assessment studies were begun in fourteen agricultural watersheds with varying cropping systems, landscapes, climate, and water quality concerns. This paper reviews USDA Agricultural Research Service 'Benchmark' watershed studies and the challenge of identifying water quality benefits in watersheds. Study goals included modeling and field research to assess practices, and evaluation of practice placement in watersheds. Not all goals were met within five years but important lessons were learned. While practices improved water quality, problems persisted in larger watersheds. This dissociation between practice-focused and watershed-scale assessments occurred because: (1) Conservation practices were not targeted at critical sources/pathways of contaminants; (2) Sediment in streams originated more from channel and bank erosion than from soil erosion; (3) Timing lags, historical legacies, and shifting climate combined to mask effects of practice implementation; and (4) Water quality management strategies addressed single contaminants with little regard for trade-offs among contaminants. These lessons could help improve conservation strategies and set water quality goals with realistic timelines. Continued research on agricultural water quality could better integrate modeling and monitoring capabilities, and address ecosystem services.

  13. Characterization of estrogen-trenbolone acetate implants on tenderness and consumer acceptability of beef under the effect of 2 aging times.

    PubMed

    Igo, J L; Brooks, J C; Johnson, B J; Starkey, J; Rathmann, R J; Garmyn, A J; Nichols, W T; Hutcheson, J P; Miller, M F

    2011-03-01

    Anabolic steroid implants are commonly used to increase growth performance and carcass leanness. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of various trenbolone acetate implants on Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), slice shear force, and consumer palatability ratings for USDA Choice and Select beef strip steaks aged for 14 and 21 d from cattle implanted before slaughter. Beef steers (n = 1,740) were subjected to the following treatments: 1) nonimplanted control (CON); 2) Revalor-IS on d 0 and Revalor-S on d 70 (IS/S); or 3) Revalor-XS (RXS) on d 0, and were randomly assigned to pens within blocks. A subsample of USDA Choice (n = 82) and USDA Select (n = 81) carcasses was selected. Strip loins from these carcasses were collected, and steaks measuring 2.54 cm were fabricated and aged for 14 or 21 d postmortem. Select steaks aged 14 d from RXS cattle had decreased (P < 0.05) WBSF values compared with IS/S steaks, but CON steaks did not differ from either implant treatment. Warner-Bratzler shear force did not differ among treatments (P > 0.05) from USDA Choice steaks aged 14 and 21 d or from Select steaks aged 21 d. Consumer scores for flavor and overall liking for USDA Choice 14-d aged RXS steaks were less (P < 0.05) than CON steaks; however, there were no differences between RXS, IS/S, and CON for tenderness or juiciness, or for tenderness and overall acceptability. Select steaks aged 14 d from IS/S cattle had less (P < 0.05) tenderness, tenderness acceptability, overall acceptability, overall liking, juiciness, and flavor scores than RXS and CON steaks; however, consumers also rated RXS steaks less for tenderness, juiciness, and tenderness acceptability when compared with CON steaks. Consumer scores for overall liking, flavor, and tenderness for USDA Choice steaks aged 21 d from RXS, IS/S, and CON did not differ. However, implant affected (P < 0.05) overall liking, flavor, juiciness, and tenderness for USDA Select steaks aged 21 d. Even so, there were no differences between RXS, IS/S, and CON steaks for tenderness or overall acceptability for steaks aged 21 d, regardless of quality grade. Results indicated that tenderness differences exist among implant strategies when strip steaks were aged 14 d; however, tenderness and overall consumer acceptability were only influenced by implant in Select steaks aged 14 d. Furthermore, aging for 21 d can minimize and even eliminate implant differences in WBSF and slice shear force, as well as tenderness and overall consumer acceptability.

  14. Consumer and trained panel evaluation of beef strip steaks of varying marbling and enhancement levels cooked to three degrees of doneness.

    PubMed

    Lucherk, L W; O'Quinn, T G; Legako, J F; Rathmann, R J; Brooks, J C; Miller, M F

    2016-12-01

    The palatability of USDA graded beef strip loins of seven treatments [High Enhanced (HE: 112% of raw weight) Select, Low Enhanced (LE: 107% of raw weight) Select, Prime, upper 2/3 Choice (Top Choice), lower 1/3 Choice (Low Choice), Select, and Standard] cooked to three degrees of doneness [DOD; rare (60°C), medium (71°C), or well-done (77°C)] was evaluated by consumer and trained sensory panelists. For consumers, Select HE steaks rated higher (P<0.05) for juiciness, tenderness, flavor identity, flavor liking, and overall liking than all non-enhanced treatments other than Prime. No differences (P>0.05) were observed between Select LE and Prime samples for most traits evaluated. The effect of USDA grade and enhancement on trained panel palatability scores was independent of DOD for all traits other than juiciness, with the role of marbling in juiciness increasing as DOD increased from rare to well-done. These results indicate enhancement as an effective method to improve the palatability of lower grading beef. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. 7 CFR 58.717 - Whey.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Whey. 58.717 Section 58.717 Agriculture Regulations of....717 Whey. Whey used in cheese products should meet the requirements equivalent to USDA Extra Grade except that the moisture requirement for dry whey may be waived. ...

  16. An Overview of Hydrologic Studies at Center for Forested Wetlands Research, USDA Forest Service

    Treesearch

    Devendra M. Amatya; Carl C. Trettin; R. Wayne Skaggs; Timothy J. Callahan; Ge Sun; Masato Miwa; John E. Parsons

    2004-01-01

    Managing forested wetland landscapes for water quality improvement and productivity requires a detailed understanding of functional linkages between ecohydrological processes and management practices. Studies are being conducted at Center for Forested Wetlands Research (CFWR), USDA Forest Service to understand the fundamental hydrologic and biogeochemical processes...

  17. History of cotton fiber bioscience research at USDA-ARS Southern Regional Research Center

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Improving fiber quality has been an important breeding goal for cotton breeders. Better understanding of fiber development helps cotton scientists to devise a strategy for crop improvement either through marker-assisted selection or via manipulation of fiber genes. USDA-ARS Southern Regional Researc...

  18. USDA Agricultural Research Service creates Nutrient Uptake and Outcome Network (NUOnet)

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    One of the national goals of USDA-ARS is to conduct research that develops new practices and methods to increase agricultural production and quality with sustainable systems that have a lower environmental impact. When completed, the new NUOnet database system will be able to help in the establishme...

  19. 7 CFR 58.146 - Cleaning and sanitizing treatment.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading... for thorough cleaning. Dairy cleaners, detergents, wetting agents or sanitizing agents, or other... metal sponges shall not be used in the cleaning of any dairy equipment or utensils. (1) Product contact...

  20. 7 CFR 58.146 - Cleaning and sanitizing treatment.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading... for thorough cleaning. Dairy cleaners, detergents, wetting agents or sanitizing agents, or other... metal sponges shall not be used in the cleaning of any dairy equipment or utensils. (1) Product contact...

  1. 7 CFR 58.146 - Cleaning and sanitizing treatment.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading... for thorough cleaning. Dairy cleaners, detergents, wetting agents or sanitizing agents, or other... metal sponges shall not be used in the cleaning of any dairy equipment or utensils. (1) Product contact...

  2. Dietary Patterns among Vietnamese and Hispanic Immigrant Elementary School Children Participating in an After School Program.

    PubMed

    McCrory, Megan A; Jaret, Charles L; Kim, Jung Ha; Reitzes, Donald C

    2017-05-05

    Immigrants in the U.S. may encounter challenges of acculturation, including dietary habits, as they adapt to new surroundings. We examined Vietnamese and Hispanic immigrant children's American food consumption patterns in a convenience sample of 63 Vietnamese and Hispanic children in grades four to six who were attending an after school program. Children indicated the number of times they consumed each of 54 different American foods in the past week using a food frequency questionnaire. We ranked each food according to frequency of consumption, compared the intake of foods to the USDA Healthy Eating Pattern, and performed dietary pattern analysis. Since the data were not normally distributed we used two nonparametric tests to evaluate statistical significance: the Kruskal-Wallis tested for significant gender and ethnicity differences and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test evaluated the food consumption of children compared with the USDA recommended amounts. We found that among USDA categories, discretionary food was most commonly consumed, followed by fruit. The sample as a whole ate significantly less than the recommended amount of grains, protein foods, and dairy, but met the recommended amount of fruit. Boys ate significantly more grains, proteins, and fruits than did girls. Dietary pattern analysis showed a very high sweet snack consumption among all children, while boys ate more fast food and fruit than girls. Foods most commonly consumed were cereal, apples, oranges, and yogurt. Ethnicity differences in food selection were not significant. The high intake of discretionary/snack foods and fruit, with low intake of grains, vegetables, protein, and dairy in our sample suggests Vietnamese and Hispanic immigrant children may benefit from programs to improve diet quality.

  3. Dietary Patterns among Vietnamese and Hispanic Immigrant Elementary School Children Participating in an After School Program

    PubMed Central

    McCrory, Megan A.; Jaret, Charles L.; Kim, Jung Ha; Reitzes, Donald C.

    2017-01-01

    Immigrants in the U.S. may encounter challenges of acculturation, including dietary habits, as they adapt to new surroundings. We examined Vietnamese and Hispanic immigrant children’s American food consumption patterns in a convenience sample of 63 Vietnamese and Hispanic children in grades four to six who were attending an after school program. Children indicated the number of times they consumed each of 54 different American foods in the past week using a food frequency questionnaire. We ranked each food according to frequency of consumption, compared the intake of foods to the USDA Healthy Eating Pattern, and performed dietary pattern analysis. Since the data were not normally distributed we used two nonparametric tests to evaluate statistical significance: the Kruskal–Wallis tested for significant gender and ethnicity differences and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test evaluated the food consumption of children compared with the USDA recommended amounts. We found that among USDA categories, discretionary food was most commonly consumed, followed by fruit. The sample as a whole ate significantly less than the recommended amount of grains, protein foods, and dairy, but met the recommended amount of fruit. Boys ate significantly more grains, proteins, and fruits than did girls. Dietary pattern analysis showed a very high sweet snack consumption among all children, while boys ate more fast food and fruit than girls. Foods most commonly consumed were cereal, apples, oranges, and yogurt. Ethnicity differences in food selection were not significant. The high intake of discretionary/snack foods and fruit, with low intake of grains, vegetables, protein, and dairy in our sample suggests Vietnamese and Hispanic immigrant children may benefit from programs to improve diet quality. PMID:28475160

  4. USDA's National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP) produces high-quality data for USDA food composition databases: Two decades of collaboration.

    PubMed

    Haytowitz, David B; Pehrsson, Pamela R

    2018-01-01

    For nearly 20years, the National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP) has expanded and improved the quantity and quality of data in US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) food composition databases (FCDB) through the collection and analysis of nationally representative food samples. NFNAP employs statistically valid sampling plans, the Key Foods approach to identify and prioritize foods and nutrients, comprehensive quality control protocols, and analytical oversight to generate new and updated analytical data for food components. NFNAP has allowed the Nutrient Data Laboratory to keep up with the dynamic US food supply and emerging scientific research. Recently generated results for nationally representative food samples show marked changes compared to previous database values for selected nutrients. Monitoring changes in the composition of foods is critical in keeping FCDB up-to-date, so that they remain a vital tool in assessing the nutrient intake of national populations, as well as for providing dietary advice. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  5. Water-Quality Data

    MedlinePlus

    ... compound (VOC) emissions, and more. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Water Quality Information Center Databases : online databases that may be related to water and agriculture. National Park Service (NPS) Water Quality Program : NPS ...

  6. The USDA and K-12 Partnership: A Model Program for Federal Agencies

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Scott, Timothy P.; Wilson, Craig; Upchurch, Dan R.; Goldberg, Maria; Bentz, Adrienne

    2011-01-01

    The Future Scientists Program of Texas A&M University and the Agricultural Research Service branch of USDA serves as a model program of effective collaboration between a federal agency and K-12. It demonstrates true partnership that contextualizes learning of science and provides quality professional development, benefiting teachers and their…

  7. 7 CFR 58.130 - Health.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Health. 58.130 Section 58.130 Agriculture Regulations... Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Personnel, Cleanliness and Health § 58.130 Health. No person afflicted with a communicable disease shall be permitted in any room or compartment...

  8. 7 CFR 58.130 - Health.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Health. 58.130 Section 58.130 Agriculture Regulations... Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Personnel, Cleanliness and Health § 58.130 Health. No person afflicted with a communicable disease shall be permitted in any room or compartment...

  9. 7 CFR 58.130 - Health.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Health. 58.130 Section 58.130 Agriculture Regulations... Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Personnel, Cleanliness and Health § 58.130 Health. No person afflicted with a communicable disease shall be permitted in any room or compartment...

  10. 7 CFR 58.130 - Health.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Health. 58.130 Section 58.130 Agriculture Regulations... Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Personnel, Cleanliness and Health § 58.130 Health. No person afflicted with a communicable disease shall be permitted in any room or compartment...

  11. 7 CFR 58.130 - Health.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Health. 58.130 Section 58.130 Agriculture Regulations... Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Personnel, Cleanliness and Health § 58.130 Health. No person afflicted with a communicable disease shall be permitted in any room or compartment...

  12. 7 CFR 58.154 - Refrigerated storage.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Refrigerated storage. 58.154 Section 58.154... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Storage of Finished Product § 58.154 Refrigerated storage. Finished product in containers subject to such conditions that will...

  13. 7 CFR 58.154 - Refrigerated storage.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Refrigerated storage. 58.154 Section 58.154... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Storage of Finished Product § 58.154 Refrigerated storage. Finished product in containers subject to such conditions that will...

  14. 7 CFR 58.154 - Refrigerated storage.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Refrigerated storage. 58.154 Section 58.154... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Storage of Finished Product § 58.154 Refrigerated storage. Finished product in containers subject to such conditions that will...

  15. 7 CFR 58.154 - Refrigerated storage.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Refrigerated storage. 58.154 Section 58.154... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Storage of Finished Product § 58.154 Refrigerated storage. Finished product in containers subject to such conditions that will...

  16. 7 CFR 58.154 - Refrigerated storage.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Refrigerated storage. 58.154 Section 58.154... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Storage of Finished Product § 58.154 Refrigerated storage. Finished product in containers subject to such conditions that will...

  17. High-quality permanent draft genome sequence of the Bradyrhizobium elkanii type strain USDA 76T, isolated from Glycine max (L.) Merr

    DOE PAGES

    Reeve, Wayne; van Berkum, Peter; Ardley, Julie; ...

    2017-03-04

    Bradyrhizobium elkanii USDA 76 T (INSCD = ARAG00000000), the type strain for Bradyrhizobium elkanii, is an aerobic, motile, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming rod that was isolated from an effective nitrogen-fixing root nodule of Glycine max (L. Merr) grown in the USA. Because of its significance as a microsymbiont of this economically important legume, B. elkanii USDA 76 T was selected as part of the DOE Joint Genome Institute 2010 Genomic Encyclopedia for Bacteria and Archaea-Root Nodule Bacteria sequencing project. Here the symbiotic abilities of B. elkanii USDA 76 T are described, together with its genome sequence information and annotation. The 9,484,767 bpmore » high-quality draft genome is arranged in 2 scaffolds of 25 contigs, containing 9060 protein-coding genes and 91 RNA-only encoding genes. The B. elkanii USDA 76 T genome contains a low GC content region with symbiotic nod and fix genes, indicating the presence of a symbiotic island integration. A comparison of five B. elkanii genomes that formed a clique revealed that 356 of the 9060 protein coding genes of USDA 76 T were unique, including 22 genes of an intact resident prophage. A conserved set of 7556 genes were also identified for this species, including genes encoding a general secretion pathway as well as type II, III, IV and VI secretion system proteins. The type III secretion system has previously been characterized as a host determinant for Rj and/or rj soybean cultivars. Here we show that the USDA 76 T genome contains genes encoding all the type III secretion system components, including a translocon complex protein NopX required for the introduction of effector proteins into host cells. While many bradyrhizobial strains are unable to nodulate the soybean cultivar Clark (rj1), USDA 76 T was able to elicit nodules on Clark (rj1), although in reduced numbers, when plants were grown in Leonard jars containing sand or vermiculite. In these conditions, we postulate that the presence of NopX allows USDA 76 T to introduce various effector molecules into this host to enable nodulation.« less

  18. High-quality permanent draft genome sequence of the Bradyrhizobium elkanii type strain USDA 76T, isolated from Glycine max (L.) Merr

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Reeve, Wayne; van Berkum, Peter; Ardley, Julie

    Bradyrhizobium elkanii USDA 76 T (INSCD = ARAG00000000), the type strain for Bradyrhizobium elkanii, is an aerobic, motile, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming rod that was isolated from an effective nitrogen-fixing root nodule of Glycine max (L. Merr) grown in the USA. Because of its significance as a microsymbiont of this economically important legume, B. elkanii USDA 76 T was selected as part of the DOE Joint Genome Institute 2010 Genomic Encyclopedia for Bacteria and Archaea-Root Nodule Bacteria sequencing project. Here the symbiotic abilities of B. elkanii USDA 76 T are described, together with its genome sequence information and annotation. The 9,484,767 bpmore » high-quality draft genome is arranged in 2 scaffolds of 25 contigs, containing 9060 protein-coding genes and 91 RNA-only encoding genes. The B. elkanii USDA 76 T genome contains a low GC content region with symbiotic nod and fix genes, indicating the presence of a symbiotic island integration. A comparison of five B. elkanii genomes that formed a clique revealed that 356 of the 9060 protein coding genes of USDA 76 T were unique, including 22 genes of an intact resident prophage. A conserved set of 7556 genes were also identified for this species, including genes encoding a general secretion pathway as well as type II, III, IV and VI secretion system proteins. The type III secretion system has previously been characterized as a host determinant for Rj and/or rj soybean cultivars. Here we show that the USDA 76 T genome contains genes encoding all the type III secretion system components, including a translocon complex protein NopX required for the introduction of effector proteins into host cells. While many bradyrhizobial strains are unable to nodulate the soybean cultivar Clark (rj1), USDA 76 T was able to elicit nodules on Clark (rj1), although in reduced numbers, when plants were grown in Leonard jars containing sand or vermiculite. In these conditions, we postulate that the presence of NopX allows USDA 76 T to introduce various effector molecules into this host to enable nodulation.« less

  19. 7 CFR 58.248 - Nonfat dry milk.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Nonfat dry milk. 58.248 Section 58.248 Agriculture... Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.248 Nonfat dry milk. (a) Nonfat dry milk in commercial....S. Standard Grade. (b) Regular nonfat dry milk in consumer size packages which bears an official...

  20. 7 CFR 58.248 - Nonfat dry milk.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Nonfat dry milk. 58.248 Section 58.248 Agriculture... Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.248 Nonfat dry milk. (a) Nonfat dry milk in commercial....S. Standard Grade. (b) Regular nonfat dry milk in consumer size packages which bears an official...

  1. 75 FR 34418 - Tobacco Inspection and Grading Services: Notice of Request for an Extension and Revision of a...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-06-17

    ... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [AMS-CN-10-0042; CN-10-004] Tobacco... Information Collection AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments... announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of...

  2. 7 CFR 58.228 - Dump hoppers, screens, mixers and conveyors.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... AND STANDARDS UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL MARKETING ACT OF 1946 AND THE EGG PRODUCTS INSPECTION ACT... DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Equipment and Utensils § 58.228 Dump hoppers, screens, mixers and conveyors. The product contact...

  3. 7 CFR 58.151 - Packaging and repackaging.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Packaging and repackaging. 58.151 Section 58.151... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Packaging and General Identification § 58.151 Packaging and repackaging. (a) Packaging dairy products or cutting and repackaging all...

  4. Characterization of Sugar Concentration Among Edible Podded Accessions in the USDA Phaseolus vulgaris Germplasm Collection

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The objective is to gain knowledge regarding variation in sugar and flavor content among a sample of dry bean and green pod-type accessions from the USDA Phaseolus Germplasm Core Collection, Pullman, WA. The results could be used to market product quality and offer unique opportunities to expand ma...

  5. Soil Disturbance Monitoring in the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region

    Treesearch

    Steven W. Howes

    2006-01-01

    In order to make reasoned decisions, USDA Forest Service managers must understand how changes in specific indicators of soil quality resulting from project implementation affect long-term forest productivity and watershed health. They must also be able to efficiently and economically assess the degree and extent of such changes across specified areas and adjust...

  6. Advanced Manufacturing and Value-added Products from US Agriculture

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Villet, Ruxton H.; Child, Dennis R.; Acock, Basil

    1992-01-01

    An objective of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agriculture Research Service (ARS) is to develop technology leading to a broad portfolio of value-added marketable products. Modern scientific disciplines such as chemical engineering are brought into play to develop processes for converting bulk commodities into high-margin products. To accomplish this, the extremely sophisticated processing devices which form the basis of modern biotechnology, namely, genes and enzymes, can be tailored to perform the required functions. The USDA/ARS is a leader in the development of intelligent processing equipment (IPE) for agriculture in the broadest sense. Applications of IPE are found in the production, processing, grading, and marketing aspects of agriculture. Various biotechnology applications of IPE are discussed.

  7. Chicken manure enhanced yield and quality of field-grown kale and collard greens.

    PubMed

    Antonious, George F; Turley, Eric T; Hill, Regina R; Snyder, John C

    2014-01-01

    Organic matter and nutrients in municipal sewage sludge (SS) and chicken manure (CM) could be recycled and used for land farming to enhance fertility and physical properties of soils. Three soil management practices were used at Kentucky State University Research Farm, Franklin County, to study the impact of soil amendments on kale (Brassica oleracea cv. Winterbar) and collard (Brassica oleracea cv. Top Bunch) yields and quality. The three soil management practices were: (i) SS mixed with native soil at 15 t acre(-1), (ii) CM mixed with native soil at 15 t acre(-1), and (iii) no-mulch (NM) native soil for comparison purposes. At harvest, collard and kale green plants were graded according to USDA standards. Plants grown in CM and SS amended soil produced the greatest number of U.S. No. 1 grade of collard and kale greens compared to NM native soil. Across all treatments, concentrations of ascorbic acid and phenols were generally greater in kale than in collards. Overall, CM and SS enhanced total phenols and ascorbic acid contents of kale and collard compared to NM native soil. We investigated the chemical and physical properties of each of the three soil treatments that might explain variability among treatments and the impact of soil amendments on yield, phenols, and ascorbic acid contents of kale and collard green grown under this practice.

  8. Mineral composition of lamb carcasses from the United States and New Zealand.

    PubMed

    Lin, K C; Cross, H R; Johnson, H K; Breidenstein, B C; Randecker, V; Field, R A

    1988-01-01

    The mineral composition-iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), fluoride (F), and phosphorus (P) (New Zealand lamb only)-of lean tissue from lamb retail cuts was studied. Twenty-four US lamb carcasses of different ages (5 to 11 months), geographical regions (Texas, Colorado and Montana) and USDA quality grades (Prime and Choice) and 27 New Zealand lamb carcasses from three weight groups (11 to 12·5 kg, 13 to 14·5 kg, and 16·5 to 18 kg), age rangining from 7 to 8 months, were selected for use in this study. Mineral concentrations were influenced more by retail cut and age than by quality grade or weigth group. Foreshank and shoulder cuts from both the US and New Zealand group consistently had the highest (P < 0·05) Zn content among the cuts. The K content of the muscle in US lambs increased as age increased, while the level of Ca and Zn in New Zealand lambs decreased as carcass weight increased. Except for Ca, the mineral concentrations of the lean tissue from US lambs were higher than the New Zealand lambs, although the differences were not always significant. US lambs had approximately 20%, 30% and 37% more Fe, Zn and Mg, respectively, but 27% less Ca than lean tissue from the New Zealand lambs. Copyright © 1989. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  9. Managing watersheds to change water quality: lessons learned from the NIFA-CEAP watershed studies

    Treesearch

    Deanna Osmond; M. Arabi; D. Hoag; G. Jennings; D. Line; A. Luloff; M. McFarland; D. Meals; A. Sharpley

    2016-01-01

    The Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) is an USDA initiative that involves the Agricultural Research Service, the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The overall goal of CEAP is to provide scientifically credible estimates of the environmental benefits obtained from USDA conservation programs...

  10. High-quality permanent draft genome sequence of the Bradyrhizobium elkanii type strain USDA 76T, isolated from Glycine max (L.) Merr

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Bradyrhizobium elkanii USDA 76T (INSCD = ARAG00000000), the type strain for Bradyrhizobium elkanii, is an aerobic, motile, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming rod that was isolated from an effective nitrogen-fixing root nodule of Glycine max (L. Merr) grown in the USA. Because of its significance as a ...

  11. 7 CFR 301.32-10 - Treatments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... treating fruits and vegetables as provided in part 305 of this chapter. These treatments must take place at... equipment at a rate of 2.4 oz of technical grade malathion and 9.6 oz of protein hydrolysate per acre. The... USDA-approved spinosad formulation and 48 oz of protein hydrolysate per acre. For ground applications...

  12. 78 FR 52127 - Tobacco Inspection and Grading Services: Notice of Request for an Extension of a Currently...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-08-22

    ... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [AMS-CN-13-0046] Tobacco Inspection and...: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing...

  13. 75 FR 51978 - United States Standards for Grades of Pineapple Juice

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-08-24

    ...: Effective Date: August 24, 2010. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lydia E. Berry, Processed Products Branch... Juice are located on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.go v or http://www.ams.usda.gov... in part 36, title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). These corrections restore the...

  14. 7 CFR 51.2946 - Color chart.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... illustrates four shades of color used to describe skin color of walnut kernels. (a) Availability of color... 7 Agriculture 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Color chart. 51.2946 Section 51.2946 Agriculture... Standards for Grades of Walnuts in the Shell General § 51.2946 Color chart. The color chart (USDA Walnut...

  15. 7 CFR 51.2946 - Color chart.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... illustrates four shades of color used to describe skin color of walnut kernels. (a) Availability of color... 7 Agriculture 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Color chart. 51.2946 Section 51.2946 Agriculture... Standards for Grades of Walnuts in the Shell General § 51.2946 Color chart. The color chart (USDA Walnut...

  16. Machine Vision Systems for Processing Hardwood Lumber and Logs

    Treesearch

    Philip A. Araman; Daniel L. Schmoldt; Tai-Hoon Cho; Dongping Zhu; Richard W. Conners; D. Earl Kline

    1992-01-01

    Machine vision and automated processing systems are under development at Virginia Tech University with support and cooperation from the USDA Forest Service. Our goals are to help U.S. hardwood producers automate, reduce costs, increase product volume and value recovery, and market higher value, more accurately graded and described products. Any vision system is...

  17. 7 CFR 58.153 - Dry storage.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Dry storage. 58.153 Section 58.153 Agriculture... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Storage of Finished Product § 58.153 Dry storage. The product should be stored at least 18 inches from the wall in aisles, rows, or...

  18. 7 CFR 58.153 - Dry storage.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Dry storage. 58.153 Section 58.153 Agriculture... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Storage of Finished Product § 58.153 Dry storage. The product should be stored at least 18 inches from the wall in aisles, rows, or...

  19. 7 CFR 58.153 - Dry storage.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Dry storage. 58.153 Section 58.153 Agriculture... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Storage of Finished Product § 58.153 Dry storage. The product should be stored at least 18 inches from the wall in aisles, rows, or...

  20. 7 CFR 58.153 - Dry storage.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Dry storage. 58.153 Section 58.153 Agriculture... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Storage of Finished Product § 58.153 Dry storage. The product should be stored at least 18 inches from the wall in aisles, rows, or...

  1. 7 CFR 58.153 - Dry storage.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Dry storage. 58.153 Section 58.153 Agriculture... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Storage of Finished Product § 58.153 Dry storage. The product should be stored at least 18 inches from the wall in aisles, rows, or...

  2. 7 CFR 58.620 - Freezing and packaging rooms.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Freezing and packaging rooms. 58.620 Section 58.620... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Rooms and Compartments § 58.620 Freezing and packaging rooms. The rooms used for freezing and packaging frozen desserts shall be...

  3. 7 CFR 58.622 - Hardening and storage rooms.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... of satisfactory material for this purpose. The rooms shall be maintained in a clean and orderly... 7 Agriculture 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Hardening and storage rooms. 58.622 Section 58.622... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Rooms and Compartments § 58...

  4. 7 CFR 58.622 - Hardening and storage rooms.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... of satisfactory material for this purpose. The rooms shall be maintained in a clean and orderly... 7 Agriculture 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Hardening and storage rooms. 58.622 Section 58.622... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Rooms and Compartments § 58...

  5. 7 CFR 58.620 - Freezing and packaging rooms.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Freezing and packaging rooms. 58.620 Section 58.620... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Rooms and Compartments § 58.620 Freezing and packaging rooms. The rooms used for freezing and packaging frozen desserts shall be...

  6. 7 CFR 58.210 - Dry storage of product.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Rooms and Compartments § 58.210 Dry storage of product. Storage rooms for the dry storage of product shall be adequate in size, kept clean, orderly, free from rodents, insects, and mold, and maintained in good repair. They shall be...

  7. 7 CFR 58.620 - Freezing and packaging rooms.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Freezing and packaging rooms. 58.620 Section 58.620... Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Rooms and Compartments § 58.620 Freezing and packaging rooms. The rooms used for freezing and packaging frozen desserts shall be...

  8. The 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report: Development and Major Conclusions.

    PubMed

    Millen, Barbara E; Abrams, Steve; Adams-Campbell, Lucile; Anderson, Cheryl Am; Brenna, J Thomas; Campbell, Wayne W; Clinton, Steven; Hu, Frank; Nelson, Miriam; Neuhouser, Marian L; Perez-Escamilla, Rafael; Siega-Riz, Anna Maria; Story, Mary; Lichtenstein, Alice H

    2016-05-01

    The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) is published every 5 y jointly by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the USDA and provides a framework for US-based food and nutrition programs, health promotion and disease prevention initiatives, and research priorities. Summarized in this report are the methods, major conclusions, and recommendations of the Scientific Report of the 2015 US Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC). Early in the process, the DGAC developed a conceptual model and formulated questions to examine nutritional risk and determinants and impact of dietary patterns in relation to numerous health outcomes among individuals aged ≥2 y. As detailed in the report, an expansive, transparent, and comprehensive process was used to address each question, with multiple opportunities for public input included. Consensus was reached on all DGAC's findings, including each conclusion and recommendation, and the entire report. When research questions were answered by original systematic literature reviews and/or with existing, high-quality expert reports, the quality and strength of the evidence was formally graded. The report was organized around the following 5 themes: 1) food and nutrient intakes and health: current status and trends; 2) dietary patterns, foods and nutrients, and health outcomes; 3) diet and physical activity behavior change; 4) food and physical activity environments; and 5) food sustainability and food safety. The following 3 cross-cutting topics were addressed: 1) sodium, 2) saturated fat, and 3) added sugars. Physical activity recommendations from recent expert reports were endorsed. The overall quality of the American diet was assessed to identify overconsumed and underconsumed nutrients of public health concern. Common food characteristics of healthy dietary patterns were determined. Features of effective interventions to change individual and population diet and physical activity behaviors in clinical, public health, and community settings were identified. The report was used by the HHS and the USDA to develop the 2015 DGA. © 2016 American Society for Nutrition.

  9. The 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report: Development and Major Conclusions123

    PubMed Central

    Millen, Barbara E; Abrams, Steve; Adams-Campbell, Lucile; Anderson, Cheryl AM; Brenna, J Thomas; Campbell, Wayne W; Clinton, Steven; Hu, Frank; Nelson, Miriam; Neuhouser, Marian L; Perez-Escamilla, Rafael; Siega-Riz, Anna Maria; Story, Mary

    2016-01-01

    The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) is published every 5 y jointly by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the USDA and provides a framework for US-based food and nutrition programs, health promotion and disease prevention initiatives, and research priorities. Summarized in this report are the methods, major conclusions, and recommendations of the Scientific Report of the 2015 US Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC). Early in the process, the DGAC developed a conceptual model and formulated questions to examine nutritional risk and determinants and impact of dietary patterns in relation to numerous health outcomes among individuals aged ≥2 y. As detailed in the report, an expansive, transparent, and comprehensive process was used to address each question, with multiple opportunities for public input included. Consensus was reached on all DGAC’s findings, including each conclusion and recommendation, and the entire report. When research questions were answered by original systematic literature reviews and/or with existing, high-quality expert reports, the quality and strength of the evidence was formally graded. The report was organized around the following 5 themes: 1) food and nutrient intakes and health: current status and trends; 2) dietary patterns, foods and nutrients, and health outcomes; 3) diet and physical activity behavior change; 4) food and physical activity environments; and 5) food sustainability and food safety. The following 3 cross-cutting topics were addressed: 1) sodium, 2) saturated fat, and 3) added sugars. Physical activity recommendations from recent expert reports were endorsed. The overall quality of the American diet was assessed to identify overconsumed and underconsumed nutrients of public health concern. Common food characteristics of healthy dietary patterns were determined. Features of effective interventions to change individual and population diet and physical activity behaviors in clinical, public health, and community settings were identified. The report was used by the HHS and the USDA to develop the 2015 DGA. PMID:27184271

  10. Watershed Academy Webcast: USDA's National Water Quality Initiative

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This page contains a description and documentation associated with the webcast on how USDA’s NWQI is working in priority watersheds to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners improve water quality.

  11. 75 FR 41963 - Wheat and Oilseed Programs; Durum Wheat Quality Program

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-07-20

    ... Programs; Durum Wheat Quality Program AGENCY: Farm Service Agency and Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This rule implements specific requirements for the Durum Wheat Quality... of the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and FSA regulations for compliance...

  12. 7 CFR 301.32-10 - Treatments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... alternative to treating fruits and vegetables as provided in part 305 of this chapter. These treatments must... aircraft or ground equipment at a rate of 2.4 oz of technical grade malathion and 9.6 oz of protein... rate of 0.01 oz of a USDA-approved spinosad formulation and 48 oz of protein hydrolysate per acre. For...

  13. Climate change and the water cycle: A new southwest regional climate hub curriculum unit for 6th-12th grade students

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    As climate change intensifies, increased temperatures and altered precipitation will make water, a limited resource in the arid southwestern United States, even scarcer in many locations. The USDA Southwest Regional Climate Hub (SWRCH) developed Climate Change and the Water Cycle, an engaging and sc...

  14. A comparison of two rough mill cutting models

    Treesearch

    Steven Ruddell; Henry Huber; Powsiri Klinkhachorn

    1990-01-01

    A comparison of lumber yield using the Automated Lumber Processing System (ALPS) Cutting Program and the Optimal Furniture Cutting Program (OFCP) was conducted on eight cutting bills. No.1 Common grade hard maple data files were compiled using a board database collected and used by the USDA Forest Service's Forest Products Laboratory to develop standard hardwood...

  15. 7 CFR 51.2946 - Color chart.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Color chart. 51.2946 Section 51.2946 Agriculture... Standards for Grades of Walnuts in the Shell General § 51.2946 Color chart. The color chart (USDA Walnut Color Chart) to which reference is made in §§ 51.2948, 51.2949, 51.2950, 51.2954, and 51.2963...

  16. Changes in historical Iowa land cover as context for assessing the environmental benefits of current and future conservation efforts on agricultural lands

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Gallant, Alisa L.; Sadinski, Walt; Roth, Mark F.; Rewa, Charles A.

    2011-01-01

    Conservationists and agriculturists face unprecedented challenges trying to minimize tradeoffs between increasing demands for food, fiber, feed, and biofuels and the resulting loss or reduced values of other ecosystem services, such as those derived from wetlands and biodiversity (Millenium Ecosystem Assessment 2005a, 2005c; Maresch et al. 2008). The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-234, Stat. 923, HR 2419, also known as the 2008 Farm Bill) reauthorized the USDA to provide financial incentives for agricultural producers to reduce environmental impacts via multiple conservation programs. Two prominent programs, the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), provide incentives for producers to retire environmentally sensitive croplands, minimize erosion, improve water quality, restore wetlands, and provide wildlife habitat (USDA FSA 2008a, 2008b; USDA NRCS 2002). Other conservation programs (e.g., Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Stewardship Program) provide incentives to implement structural and cultural conservation practices to improve the environmental performance of working agricultural lands. Through its Conservation Effects Assessment Project, USDA is supporting evaluation of the environmental benefits obtained from the public investment in conservation programs and practices to inform decisions on where further investments are warranted (Duriancik et al. 2008; Zinn 1997).

  17. EPA/USDA Water Quality Trading Partnership Agreement

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    The document details an agreement between the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency on collaboration efforts to establish viable water quality credit trading markets.

  18. 7 CFR 634.1 - Purpose and scope.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... best management practices (BMP's) in project areas which have critical water quality problems resulting... approved agricultural portion of a 208 water quality management plan. Participation in RCWP is voluntary. (c) The program is a new USDA program and an extension of existing water-quality management programs...

  19. 7 CFR 634.1 - Purpose and scope.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... best management practices (BMP's) in project areas which have critical water quality problems resulting... approved agricultural portion of a 208 water quality management plan. Participation in RCWP is voluntary. (c) The program is a new USDA program and an extension of existing water-quality management programs...

  20. Southern Phosphorus Indices, Water Quality Data, and Modeling (APEX, APLE, and TBET) Results: A Comparison.

    PubMed

    Osmond, Deanna; Bolster, Carl; Sharpley, Andrew; Cabrera, Miguel; Feagley, Sam; Forsberg, Adam; Mitchell, Charles; Mylavarapu, Rao; Oldham, J Larry; Radcliffe, David E; Ramirez-Avila, John J; Storm, Dan E; Walker, Forbes; Zhang, Hailin

    2017-11-01

    Phosphorus (P) Indices in the southern United States frequently produce different recommendations for similar conditions. We compared risk ratings from 12 southern states (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas) using data collected from benchmark sites in the South (Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas). Phosphorus Index ratings were developed using both measured erosion losses from each benchmark site and Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation 2 predictions; mostly, there was no difference in P Index outcome. The derived loss ratings were then compared with measured P loads at the benchmark sites by using equivalent USDA-NRCS P Index ratings and three water quality models (Annual P Loss Estimator [APLE], Agricultural Policy Environmental eXtender [APEX], and Texas Best Management Practice Evaluation Tool [TBET]). Phosphorus indices were finally compared against each other using USDA-NRCS loss ratings model estimate correspondence with USDA-NRCS loss ratings. Correspondence was 61% for APEX, 48% for APLE, and 52% for TBET, with overall P index correspondence at 55%. Additive P Indices (Alabama and Texas) had the lowest USDA-NRCS loss rating correspondence (31%), while the multiplicative (Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee) and component (Georgia, Kentucky, and North Carolina) indices had similar USDA-NRCS loss rating correspondence-60 and 64%, respectively. Analysis using Kendall's modified Tau suggested that correlations between measured and calculated P-loss ratings were similar or better for most P Indices than the models. Copyright © by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Inc.

  1. Integrating Federal and State data records to report progress in establishing agricultural conservation practices on Chesapeake Bay farms

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Hively, W. Dean; Devereux, Olivia H.; Claggett, Peter

    2013-01-01

    In response to the Executive Order for Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration (E.O. #13508, May 12, 2009), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) took on the task of acquiring and assessing agricultural conservation practice data records for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs, and transferred those datasets in aggregated format to State jurisdictional agencies for use in reporting conservation progress to the Chesapeake Bay Program Partnership (CBP Partnership). Under the guidelines and regulations that have been developed to protect and restore water-quality in the Chesapeake Bay, the six State jurisdictions that fall within the Chesapeake Bay watershed are required to report their progress in promoting agricultural conservation practices to the CBP Partnership on an annual basis. The installation and adoption of agricultural best management practices is supported by technical and financial assistance from both Federal and State conservation programs. The farm enrollment data for USDA conservation programs are confidential, but agencies can obtain access to the privacy-protected data if they are established as USDA Conservation Cooperators. The datasets can also be released to the public if they are first aggregated to protect farmer privacy. In 2012, the USGS used its Conservation Cooperator status to obtain implementation data for conservation programs sponsored by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) for farms within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Three jurisdictions (Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia) used the USGS-provided aggregated dataset to report conservation progress in 2012, whereas the remaining three jurisdictions (Maryland, New York, and Virginia) used jurisdictional Conservation Cooperator Agreements to obtain privacy-protected data directly from the USDA. This report reviews the status of conservation data sharing between the USDA and the various jurisdictions, discusses the methods that were used by the USGS in 2012 to collect and process USDA agricultural conservation data, and also documents methods that were used by the jurisdictions to integrate Federal and State data records, reduce double counting, and provide an accurate reporting of conservation practices to the CBP Partnership’s Annual Progress Review. A similar tracking, reporting, and assessment will occur in future years, as State and Federal governments and nongovernmental organizations continue to work with farmers and conservation districts to reduce the impacts of agriculture on water-quality.

  2. Evaluation of three growing media substrates for western larch seedling production at the USDA Forest Service Coeur d'Alene Nursery

    Treesearch

    Anthony S. Davis; Kent Eggleston; Jeremy R. Pinto; R. Kasten Dumroese

    2009-01-01

    In response to concerns regarding growing media substrate costs, and the impact of growing media on seedling quality, we evaluated three peat-based growing media substrates at the USDA Forest Service Coeur d'Alene Nursery in Idaho. Current medium consists of 80:20 peat:fresh Douglas-fir sawdust (v:v). Two other substrates, 75:25 peat:fine screened Douglas-fir bark...

  3. A lumber grading system for the future: an update evaluation

    Treesearch

    D. Earl Kline; Chris Surak; Philip A. Araman

    2000-01-01

    Virginia Tech and the Southern Research Station of the USDA Forest Service have jointly developed and refined a multiple-sensor lumber-scanning prototype to demonstrate and test applicable scanning technologies (Conners et al. 1997, Kline et al. 1997, Kline et al. 1998). This R&D effort has led to a patented wood color and grain sorting system (Conners and Lu 1998...

  4. Benchmarking carcass characteristics and muscles from commercially identified beef and dairy cull cow carcasses for Warner-Bratzler shear force and sensory attributes.

    PubMed

    Stelzleni, A M; Patten, L E; Johnson, D D; Calkins, C R; Gwartney, B L

    2007-10-01

    The objective of this study was to benchmark carcasses and muscles from commercially identified fed (animals that were perceived to have been fed an increased plane of nutrition before slaughter) and nonfed cull beef and dairy cows and A-maturity, USDA Select steers, so that the muscles could be identified from cull cow carcasses that may be used to fill a void of intermediately priced beef steaks. Carcass characteristics were measured at 24 h postmortem for 75 carcasses from 5 populations consisting of cull beef cows commercially identified as fed (B-F, n = 15); cull beef cows commercially identified as nonfed (B-NF, n = 15); cull dairy cows commercially identified as fed (D-F, n = 15); cull dairy cows commercially identified as nonfed (D-NF, n = 15); and A-maturity, USDA Select grade steers (SEL, n = 15). Nine muscles were excised from each carcass [m. infraspinatus, m. triceps brachii (lateral and long heads), m. teres major, m. longissimus dorsi (also termed LM), m. psoas major, m. gluteus medius, m. rectus femoris, and m. tensor fasciae latae] and subjected to Warner-Bratzler shear force testing and objective sensory panel evaluation after 14 d of postmortem aging. Carcass characteristics differed (P < 0.05) among the 5 commercially identified slaughter groups for the traits of lean maturity, bone maturity, muscle score, HCW, fat color, subjective lean color, marbling, ribeye area, 12th-rib fat thickness, and preliminary yield grade. Carcasses from commercially identified, fed cull cows exhibited more (P < 0.01) weight in carcass lean than did commercially identified, nonfed cull cows. There was a group x muscle interaction (P = 0.02) for Warner-Bratzler shear force. Warner-Bratzler shear force and sensory overall tenderness values demonstrates that muscles from the SEL group were the most tender (P < 0.01), whereas muscles from the B-NF group were the least tender (P < 0.01). Sensory, beef flavor intensity was similar (P > 0.20) among cull cow carcass groups and more intense (P < 0.01) than the SEL carcass group. Muscles from the SEL group exhibited less (P < 0.01) detectable off-flavor than the cull cow carcass groups, whereas the B-NF group exhibited the most (P < 0.01) detectable off-flavor. Although carcass and muscle quality from commercially identified, fed, cull beef and dairy cows was not similar to A-maturity, USDA Select beef, they did show improvements when compared with nonfed, cull, beef and dairy cow carcasses and muscles.

  5. Association between state laws governing school meal nutrition content and student weight status: implications for new USDA school meal standards.

    PubMed

    Taber, Daniel R; Chriqui, Jamie F; Powell, Lisa; Chaloupka, Frank J

    2013-06-01

    This study assessed whether stronger school meal nutrition standards may improve student weight status. Results have immediate implications because of the ongoing implementation of new nutrition standards for the National School Lunch Program. OBJECTIVE To determine if state laws with stricter school meal nutrition standards are inversely associated with adolescent weight status, while controlling for unmeasured state-level confounders. Quasi-experiment. Public schools. Four thousand eight hundred seventy eighth-grade students in 40 states. Students were categorized by type of school lunch they usually obtained (free/reduced price, regular price, or none). INTERVENTIONS State laws governing school meal nutrition standards. States with standards that exceeded US Department of Agriculture (USDA) school meal standards were compared with states that did not exceed USDA standards. The parameter of interest was the interaction between state laws and student lunch participant status, ie, whether disparities in weight status between school lunch participants and nonparticipants were smaller in states with stricter standards. Body mass index percentile and obesity status. In states that exceeded USDA standards, the difference in obesity prevalence between students who obtained free/reduced-price lunches and students who did not obtain school lunches was 12.3 percentage points smaller (95% CI, -21.5 to -3.0) compared with states that did not exceed USDA standards. Likewise, differences in mean body mass index percentile between those student populations were 11 units smaller in states that exceeded USDA standards (95% CI, -17.7 to -4.3). There was little evidence that students compensated for school meal laws by purchasing more sweets, salty snacks, or sugar-sweetened beverages from other school venues (eg, vending machines) or other sources (eg, fast food). Stringent school meal standards that reflect the latest nutrition science may improve weight status among school lunch participants, particularly those eligible for free/reduced-price lunches.

  6. Quality evaluation of poultry carcasses

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) has been mandated to organoleptically inspect poultry carcasses online at processing plants. For poultry quality and safety evaluation, the development of accurate and reliable instruments for online detection of unwholesomeness such as septicemia, cada...

  7. Map Downloads | USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

    Science.gov Websites

    formats. National, regional, and state maps are available under the View Maps section. Print Quality Maps dpi Graphic TIF 222 MB US Map 300 dpi Adobe Photoshop PS 25 MB *Print quality maps are very large | Non-Discrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | Whitehouse.gov

  8. Association analysis and marker development for grain quality traits using USDA diverse rice germplasm collections

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    New molecular markers are being designed and validated for grain quality improvement based on computationally assisted analysis of genome wide association study (GWAS) findings across multiple panels and multiple grain quality traits. The traits include grain dimensions, apparent amylose content (A...

  9. A Regional Assessment of the Effects of Conservation Practices on In-stream Water Quality

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Garcia, A. M.; Alexander, R. B.; Arnold, J.; Norfleet, L.; Robertson, D. M.; White, M.

    2011-12-01

    The Conservation Effects Assessment Program (CEAP), initiated by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), has the goal of quantifying the environmental benefits of agricultural conservation practices. As part of this effort, detailed farmer surveys were compiled to document the adoption of conservation practices. Survey data showed that up to 38 percent of cropland in the Upper Mississippi River basin is managed to reduce sediment, nutrient and pesticide loads from agricultural activities. The broader effects of these practices on downstream water quality are challenging to quantify. The USDA-NRCS recently reported results of a study that combined farmer surveys with process-based models to deduce the effect of conservation practices on sediment and chemical loads in farm runoff and downstream waters. As a follow-up collaboration, USGS and USDA scientists conducted a semi-empirical assessment of the same suite of practices using the USGS SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes) modeling framework. SPARROW is a hybrid statistical and mechanistic stream water quality model of annual conditions that has been used extensively in studies of nutrient sources and delivery. In this assessment, the USDA simulations of the effects of conservation practices on loads in farm runoff were used as an explanatory variable (i.e., change in farm loads per unit area) in a component of an existing a SPARROW model of the Upper Midwest. The model was then re-calibrated and tested to determine whether the USDA estimate of conservation adoption intensity explained a statistically significant proportion of the spatial variability in stream nutrient loads in the Upper Mississippi River basin. The results showed that the suite of conservation practices that NRCS has catalogued as complete nutrient and sediment management are a statistically significant feature in the Midwestern landscape associated with phosphorous runoff and delivery to downstream waters. Effects on the delivery of nitrogen will be also be studied. Estimates of the magnitude of this effect using SPARROW indicated that phosphorus load reductions ranged from about 2 - 38% for various spatial scales. This is less than reported by the USDA CEAP simulations, which ranged from 15 - 49%. Nevertheless, the results indicated that conservation practices play a significant role in reducing phosphorus pollution from agricultural activities to downstream receiving water bodies.

  10. Budget Issues: Effective Oversight and Budget Discipline Are Essential--Even in a Time of Surplus

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2000-02-01

    substantial benefit from USDA’s food safety inspection and testing services.18 In 1997, the Congress created Medicare+Choice to encourage wider availability...quality of the nation’s food is inefficient and outdated. Within USDA, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is responsible for the safety of...FDA, and 10 other federal agencies administer over 35 different laws that oversee food safety . The current food safety system suffers from

  11. An Innovative Method for Monitoring Food Quality and the Healthfulness of Consumers’ Grocery Purchases

    PubMed Central

    Tran, Le-Thuy T.; Brewster, Philip J.; Chidambaram, Valliammai; Hurdle, John F.

    2017-01-01

    This study presents a method laying the groundwork for systematically monitoring food quality and the healthfulness of consumers’ point-of-sale grocery purchases. The method automates the process of identifying United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Patterns Equivalent Database (FPED) components of grocery food items. The input to the process is the compact abbreviated descriptions of food items that are similar to those appearing on the point-of-sale sales receipts of most food retailers. The FPED components of grocery food items are identified using Natural Language Processing techniques combined with a collection of food concept maps and relationships that are manually built using the USDA Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies, the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, the What We Eat In America food categories, and the hierarchical organization of food items used by many grocery stores. We have established the construct validity of the method using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, but further evaluation of validity and reliability will require a large-scale reference standard with known grocery food quality measures. Here we evaluate the method’s utility in identifying the FPED components of grocery food items available in a large sample of retail grocery sales data (~190 million transaction records). PMID:28475153

  12. An Innovative Method for Monitoring Food Quality and the Healthfulness of Consumers' Grocery Purchases.

    PubMed

    Tran, Le-Thuy T; Brewster, Philip J; Chidambaram, Valliammai; Hurdle, John F

    2017-05-05

    This study presents a method laying the groundwork for systematically monitoring food quality and the healthfulness of consumers' point-of-sale grocery purchases. The method automates the process of identifying United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Patterns Equivalent Database (FPED) components of grocery food items. The input to the process is the compact abbreviated descriptions of food items that are similar to those appearing on the point-of-sale sales receipts of most food retailers. The FPED components of grocery food items are identified using Natural Language Processing techniques combined with a collection of food concept maps and relationships that are manually built using the USDA Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies, the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, the What We Eat In America food categories, and the hierarchical organization of food items used by many grocery stores. We have established the construct validity of the method using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, but further evaluation of validity and reliability will require a large-scale reference standard with known grocery food quality measures. Here we evaluate the method's utility in identifying the FPED components of grocery food items available in a large sample of retail grocery sales data (~190 million transaction records).

  13. The MICROBE Project, A Report from the Interagency Working Group on Microbial Genomics

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2001-01-01

    including targeting of genes related to pathogenesis, possibilities for acquired pathogen resistance, industrial and food -grade enzymes, and probiotics ...safety, food security, biotechnology, value-added products , human nutrition and functional foods , plant and animal protection and furthering fundamental...supports a number of microbial studies, which are integral components of the USDA national programs in animal health, food animal production , food

  14. Irradiation of ready-to-eat foods at USDA'S Eastern Regional Reasearch Center-2003 update

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sommers, Christopher; Fan, Xuetong; Niemira, Brendan; Rajkowski, Kathleen

    2004-09-01

    Ionizing radiation is a safe and effective method for eliminating bacterial pathogens from food products and disinfestation of fruits and vegetables. Since 1980 research has been conducted at USDA's Eastern Regional Research Center pertaining to the elimination of food-borne pathogens from meat, poultry, fruit and vegetable products. Recent work has focused on elimination of pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes from ready-to-eat (RTE) food products including hot dogs, bologna, lettuce, cilantro, sprouts and seeds, and frozen vegetables. The ionizing radiation dose required to eliminate those pathogens from RTE foods has been found to be commodity, formulation and temperature dependent. The need to eliminate bacterial pathogens from RTE food products must always be balanced with the maintenance of product quality. In addition to determining the effective ionizing radiation doses required for pathogen elimination the effects of irradiation on product chemistry, nutritional value and organoleptic quality have also been determined. A review of the studies conducted at USDA's Eastern Regional Research Center in 2002 and 2003 is presented in this article.

  15. Genotypic diversity and environmental stability of starch physicochemical properties in the USDA rice mini-core collection.

    PubMed

    Li, Kehu; Bao, Jinsong; Corke, Harold; Sun, Mei

    2017-04-15

    The USDA rice mini-core collection consists of 217 accessions representative of a world-wide germplam bank. We investigated its genotypic diversity in starch physicochemical properties and the effects of genotype, environment and G×E interaction in this study. High genotypic diversity was found in all 18 measured starch quality traits in the mini-core rice in two location-years in China. Genotype, environment and G×E effects on these traits were analysed using 115 common accessions successfully produced in both environments. Thermal properties (T o , T p and T c ) were very stable whereas most other traits differed significantly between environments. However, when these accessions were divided into five subgroups based on amylose content, environment was found to have differential effects. G×E interaction also played a significant role in determining the starch traits. These findings will provide guidance for selection from the diverse genotypes in the USDA mini-core collection for cultivation and for developing cultivars with desired cooking and eating quality. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Wheat Quality Council, Hard Spring Wheat Technical Committee, 2015 Crop

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Nine experimental lines of hard spring wheat were grown at up to five locations in 2015 and evaluated for kernel, milling, and bread baking quality against the check variety Glenn. Wheat samples were submitted through the Wheat Quality Council and processed and milled at the USDA-ARS Hard Red Sprin...

  17. Wheat Quality Council, Hard Spring Wheat Technical Committee, 2017 Crop

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Nine experimental lines of hard spring wheat were grown at up to six locations in 2017 and evaluated for kernel, milling, and bread baking quality against the check variety Glenn. Wheat samples were submitted through the Wheat Quality Council and processed and milled at the USDA-ARS Hard Red Spring...

  18. Wheat Quality Council, Hard Spring Wheat Technical Committee, 2014 Crop

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Eleven experimental lines of hard spring wheat were grown at up to five locations in 2014 and evaluated for kernel, milling, and bread baking quality against the check variety Glenn. Wheat samples were submitted through the Wheat Quality Council and processed and milled at the USDA-ARS Hard Red Spr...

  19. Relationship of Fiber Properties to Vortex Yarn Quality via Partial Least Squares

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The Cotton Quality Research Station (CQRS) of the USDA-ARS, recently completed a comprehensive study of the relationship of cotton fiber properties to the quality of spun yarn. The five year study, began in 2001, utilized commercial variety cotton grown, harvested and ginned in each of three major ...

  20. Correlation of quinone reductase activity and allyl isothiocyanate formation among different genotypes and grades of horseradish roots.

    PubMed

    Ku, Kang-Mo; Jeffery, Elizabeth H; Juvik, John A; Kushad, Mosbah M

    2015-03-25

    Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) is a perennial crop and its ground root tissue is used in condiments because of the pungency of the glucosinolate (GS)-hydrolysis products allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) and phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) derived from sinigrin and gluconasturtiin, respectively. Horseradish roots are sold in three grades: U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, and U.S. No. 2 according to the USDA standards. These grading standards are primarily based on root diameter and length. There is little information on whether root grades vary in their phytochemical content or potential health promoting properties. This study measured GS, GS-hydrolysis products, potential anticancer activity (as quinone reductase inducing activity), total phenolic content, and antioxidant activities from different grades of horseradish accessions. U.S. Fancy showed significantly higher sinigrin and AITC concentrations than U.S. No. 1 ,whereas U.S. No. 1 showed significantly higher concentrations of 1-cyano 2,3-epithiopropane, the epithionitrile hydrolysis product of sinigrin, and significantly higher total phenolic concentrations than U.S. Fancy.

  1. Air quality in bedded mono-slope beef barns

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Bedded mono-slope barns are becoming more common in the upper Midwest. Because these are new facilities, little research has been published regarding environmental quality, building management and animal performance in these facilities. A team of researchers from South Dakota State University, USDA ...

  2. Final work plan : Phase I investigation of potential contamination at the former CCC/USDA grain storage facility in Savannah, Missouri.

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    LaFreniere, L. M.; Environmental Science Division

    From approximately 1949 until 1970, the Commodity Credit Corporation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (CCC/USDA) operated a grain storage facility on federally owned property approximately 0.25 mi northwest of Savannah, Missouri. During this time, commercial grain fumigants containing carbon tetrachloride were commonly used by the CCC/USDA and the private grain storage industry to preserve grain in their facilities. In November 1998, carbon tetrachloride was detected in a private well (Morgan) roughly 50 ft south of the former CCC/USDA facility, as a result of state-wide screening of private wells near former CCC/USDA facilities, conducted in Missouri by the U.S. Environmentalmore » Protection Agency (EPA 1999). The 1998 and subsequent investigations by the EPA and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) confirmed the presence of carbon tetrachloride in the Morgan well, as well as in a second well (on property currently occupied by the Missouri Department of Transportation [MoDOT]), approximately 400 ft east of the former CCC/USDA facility. Carbon tetrachloride concentrations in the Morgan well have ranged from the initial value of 29 {micro}g/L in 1998, up to a maximum of 61 {micro}g/L in 1999, and back down to 22 {micro}g/L in 2005. The carbon tetrachloride concentration in the MoDOT well in 2000 (the only time it was sampled) was 321 {micro}g/L. The concentrations for the two wells are above the EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 5 {micro}g/L for carbon tetrachloride (EPA 1999; MoDNR 2000a,b). Because the observed contamination in the Morgan and MoDOT wells might be linked to the past use of carbon tetrachloride-based grain fumigants at its former grain storage facility, the CCC/USDA will conduct investigations to (1) characterize the source(s), extent, and factors controlling the subsurface distribution and movement of carbon tetrachloride at Savannah and (2) evaluate the health and environmental threats potentially posed by the contamination. This work will be performed in accord with the Intergovernmental Agreement established between the Farm Service Agency of the USDA and MoDNR, to address carbon tetrachloride contamination potentially associated with a number of former CCC/USDA grain storage facilities in Missouri. The investigative activities at Savannah will be conducted on behalf of the CCC/USDA by the Environmental Science Division of Argonne National Laboratory. Argonne is a nonprofit, multidisciplinary research center operated by UChicago Argonne, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The CCC/USDA has entered into an agreement with the DOE, under which Argonne provides technical assistance to the CCC/USDA with environmental site characterization and remediation at its former grain storage facilities. The site characterization at Savannah will take place in phases. This approach is recommended by the CCC/USDA and Argonne, so that information obtained and interpretations developed during each incremental stage of the investigation can be used most effectively to guide subsequent phases of the program. This site-specific Work Plan outlines the specific technical objectives and scope of work proposed for Phase I of the Savannah investigation. This Work Plan also includes the community relations plan to be followed throughout the CCC/USDA program at the Savannah site. Argonne is developing a Master Work Plan specific to operations in the state of Missouri. In the meantime, Argonne will issue a Provisional Master Work Plan (PMWP; Argonne 2007) that will be submitted to the MoDNR for review and approval. The agency has already reviewed and approved (with minor changes) the present Master Work Plan (Argonne 2002) under which Argonne currently operates in Kansas. The PMWP (Argonne 2007) will provide detailed information and guidance on the investigative technologies, analytical methodologies, quality assurance-quality control measures, and general health and safety policies to be employed by Argonne for all investigations at former CCC/USDA grain storage facilities in Missouri. Both the PMWP and this site-specific Work Plan must therefore be consulted for a complete description of the planned Phase I work at the former CCC/USDA facility at Savannah.« less

  3. 7 CFR 62.208 - Publication of QSVP assessment status.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... (CONTINUED) LIVESTOCK, MEAT, AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES (QUALITY SYSTEMS VERIFICATION PROGRAMS) Quality Systems Verification Programs Definitions Service § 62.208 Publication of QSVP assessment status. Approved programs shall be posted for public reference on the ARC Branch Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov...

  4. 77 FR 18999 - Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Collect Information

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-03-29

    ... Collect Information AGENCY: National Agricultural Library, Agricultural Research Service, USDA. ACTION... new electronic mailing list subscription form from those working with water quality and water... electronic discussion list maintained by the Water Quality Information Center (WQIC). DATES: Comments on this...

  5. 7 CFR 62.208 - Publication of QSVP assessment status.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... (CONTINUED) LIVESTOCK, MEAT, AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES (QUALITY SYSTEMS VERIFICATION PROGRAMS) Quality Systems Verification Programs Definitions Service § 62.208 Publication of QSVP assessment status. Approved programs shall be posted for public reference on the ARC Branch Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov...

  6. 7 CFR 62.208 - Publication of QSVP assessment status.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... (CONTINUED) LIVESTOCK, MEAT, AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES (QUALITY SYSTEMS VERIFICATION PROGRAMS) Quality Systems Verification Programs Definitions Service § 62.208 Publication of QSVP assessment status. Approved programs shall be posted for public reference on the ARC Branch Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov...

  7. 7 CFR 62.208 - Publication of QSVP assessment status.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... (CONTINUED) LIVESTOCK, MEAT, AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES (QUALITY SYSTEMS VERIFICATION PROGRAMS) Quality Systems Verification Programs Definitions Service § 62.208 Publication of QSVP assessment status. Approved programs shall be posted for public reference on the ARC Branch Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov...

  8. 7 CFR 62.208 - Publication of QSVP assessment status.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... (CONTINUED) LIVESTOCK, MEAT, AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES (QUALITY SYSTEMS VERIFICATION PROGRAMS) Quality Systems Verification Programs Definitions Service § 62.208 Publication of QSVP assessment status. Approved programs shall be posted for public reference on the ARC Branch Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov...

  9. Using UAVs to enhance the quality of precision agriculture

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Recent studies by USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have indicated potential for significant improvement in the quality and application of Precision Agriculture products through the use of very high resolution imagery. An assessment of potential platforms to collect such imagery at an afford...

  10. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Analysis of Program Administration and Food Law Definitions.

    PubMed

    Pomeranz, Jennifer L; Chriqui, Jamie F

    2015-09-01

    Under the current version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), participants can purchase virtually any food or beverage (collectively, food). Research indicates that SNAP recipients may have worse dietary quality than income-eligible nonparticipants. Policymakers have urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to pilot SNAP purchasing restrictions intended to support a healthier diet, and state legislators have proposed similar bills. The USDA rejected these invitations, stating that it would be administratively and logistically difficult to differentiate among products, amid other concerns. However, the USDA's Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) do just that. Further, state governments define and differentiate among foods and beverages for tax purposes. This paper reviews several factors intended to inform future policy decisions: the science indicating that SNAP recipients have poorer diet quality than income-eligible nonparticipants; the public's support for revising the SNAP program; federal, state, and city legislators' formal proposals to amend SNAP based on nutrition criteria and the USDA's public position in opposition to these proposals; state bills to amend eligible foods purchasable with SNAP benefits; state retail food tax laws; and the retail administration and program requirements for both WIC and SNAP. The paper finds that the government has a clear ability to align SNAP benefits with nutrition science and operationalize this into law. Copyright © 2015 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Development of vibrational spectroscopic methods to rapidly and non-destructively assess quality of chicken breast meat

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Development of Vibrational Spectroscopic Methods to Rapidly and Non-Destructively Assess Quality of Chicken Breast Meat H. Zhuang1, M. Sohn2, S. Trabelsi1 and K. Lawrence1 1Quality and Safety Assessment Research Unit, ARS-USDA, 950 College Station Road, Athens, GA 30605 2University of Georgia, De...

  12. Effect of nursing-calf implant timing on growth performance and carcass characteristics.

    PubMed

    Webb, M J; Harty, A A; Salverson, R R; Kincheloe, J J; Zuelly, S M S; Underwood, K R; Luebbe, M K; Olson, K C; Blair, A D

    2017-12-01

    The objective of this study was to compare pre- and postweaning growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality attributes of calves that did not receive an implant or were implanted early or late in the nursing period. Crossbred steer calves ( = 135) were stratified by birth date and birth weight and randomly assigned to the following implant treatments: control (CON; no preweaning implant), 58 d (EARLY; 36 mg zeranol, administered at an average of 58 ± 13 d of age), and 121 d (LATE; 36 mg zeranol, administered at an average 121 ± 13 d of age). After weaning, steers were blocked by initial feed yard BW to 15 pens (5 pens/treatment and 9 steers/pen). All steers were implanted on d 21 after arrival at the feed yard and again on d 108 of finishing. Steer BW and ultrasound assessment of rib eye area (uREA), rib fat thickness (uRFT), and percent intramuscular fat (uIMF) were collected when implants were administered, at weaning, and on harvest day. Carcass measurements included HCW, rib eye area (REA), 12th-rib fat thickness (FT), and marbling score. Objective color (L*, a*, and b*) was recorded, and a 3.8-cm strip loin section was removed from both sides of each carcass and portioned into 2.54-cm steaks that were aged for 3 or 14 d for analysis of cook loss and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF). The remaining portion of each sample was used for analysis of moisture and crude fat. Steer BW, ADG, and G:F did not differ among treatments ( > 0.05). Steers implanted in the EARLY treatment had a greater ( < 0.05) cumulative DMI than CON but were not different from steers implanted in the LATE treatment. Ultrasound REA and uRFT (averaged across all collection days) did not differ ( > 0.05); however, steers on the CON treatment had a greater ( ≤ 0.05) percent uIMF than EARLY implanted steers, whereas steers receiving the LATE implant were intermediate and not different from the other treatments. Hot carcass weight, REA, FT, USDA yield grade, marbling score, and objective color did not differ ( > 0.05) among treatments. The proportion of steers in each USDA yield and quality grade was similar ( > 0.05) among treatments, and no differences were detected for total carcass value or price per 45.4 kg (hundredweight; > 0.05). Treatment did not influence ( > 0.05) percent cook loss, crude fat, moisture, or WBSF. In conclusion, administering a nursing implant, regardless of timing, did not influence live performance, carcass characteristics, or meat quality of steers fed in this study.

  13. Management of wildlife causing damage at Argonne National Laboratory-East, DuPage County, Illinois

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    NONE

    1995-04-01

    The DOE, after an independent review, has adopted an Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) which evaluates use of an Integrated Wildlife Damage Management approach at Argonne National Laboratory-East (ANL-E) in DuPage County, Illinois (April 1995). In 1994, the USDA issued a programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that covers nationwide animal damage control activities. The EA for Management of Wildlife Causing Damage at ANL-E tiers off this programmatic EIS. The USDA wrote the EA as a result of DOE`s request to USDA to prepare and implement a comprehensive Wildlife Management Damage Plan; the USDA hasmore » authority for animal damage control under the Animal Damage Control Act of 1931, as amended, and the Rural Development, Agriculture and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1988. DOE has determined, based on the analysis in the EA, that the proposed action does not constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Therefore, the preparation of an EIS is not required. This report contains the Environmental Assessment, as well as the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).« less

  14. Container-grown longleaf pine seedling quality

    Treesearch

    Mark J. Hainds; James P. Barnett

    2006-01-01

    The Longleaf Alliance, in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service, the Georgia Forestry Commission, and the Clemson Extension Service, has installed numerous longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) seedling quality studies across the Southeastern United States. This paper reviews survival and growth for different classes of container-grown longleaf...

  15. Effect of calving distribution on beef cattle progeny performance.

    PubMed

    Funston, R N; Musgrave, J A; Meyer, T L; Larson, D M

    2012-12-01

    Records collected between 1997 and 2010 were used to determine the effect of calving period on heifer (n = 1,019) and steer (n = 771) progeny from the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory, Whitman, NE. Progeny were classified as being born in the first, second, or third 21-d period of the spring calving season within year. Heifer birth BW was lightest (P < 0.01) for heifers born in the first period. Birth to weaning ADG tended (P = 0.10) to be least for heifers born in the first calving period; however, weaning BW decreased (P = 0.03) with advancing calving period. Weaning to prebreeding ADG tended (P = 0.07) to be least for heifers born in the first period; however, prebreeding BW was greatest (P < 0.01) for calves born in the first period. Heifer ADG from the beginning of the breeding season to pregnancy diagnosis was greater (P = 0.03) for heifers born in the third vs. first calving period. Heifers cycling at the beginning of the breeding season decreased (P < 0.01) with advancing calving date (70, 58, and 39%, respectively) and 45 d pregnancy rates were lowest (P = 0.02) for heifers born in the third calving period (90, 86, and 78%, respectively). Birth date of the first calf of the heifer and birth BW decreased (P < 0.01) if the heifer was born in the first calving period. First calf progeny had the greatest (P ≤ 0.10) weaning BW if born to a heifer born in the first calving period. As steer calving period advanced, weaning BW decreased (P < 0.01). Calving period did not affect (P = 0.81) feedlot ADG. As calving period advanced, HCW, marbling score, and yield grade decreased (P < 0.01). The percentage of steers grading USDA small marbling was not affected (P = 0.13) by calving period; however, the percentage of steers grading USDA modest marbling or greater and the total carcass value declined (P ≤ 0.01) as calving period advanced. Heifer calves born during the first 21 d of the spring calving season had greater weaning, prebreeding, and precalving BW; greater percent cycling before breeding; and greater pregnancy rates compared with heifers born in the third period. First calf progeny also had an earlier birth date and greater weaning BW. Steer calves born during the first 21 d of the calving season had greater weaning, final, and carcass weights; greater marbling scores; a greater percentage grading USDA modest or greater; and greater carcass value. Calving period of progeny significantly impacts performance.

  16. Association analysis for loci regulating grain quality traits and marker development in the USDA rice collection

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Uncovering underlying genetics associated with grain quality is important to world food security. Rice is consumed as a whole grain, therefore cooked rice texture, stickiness, chewiness, grain dimensions and grain appearance can affect palatability and marketability. Amylose and protein content play...

  17. 7 CFR 58.735 - Quality specifications for raw materials.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... specifications of the finished product. (b) Swiss. Swiss cheese used in the manufacture of pasteurized process... Swiss cheese. (d) Cream cheese, Neufchatel cheese. Mixed with other foods, or used for spreads and dips... Service 1 Requirements for Processed Cheese Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.735 Quality...

  18. 7 CFR 58.735 - Quality specifications for raw materials.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... specifications of the finished product. (b) Swiss. Swiss cheese used in the manufacture of pasteurized process... Swiss cheese. (d) Cream cheese, Neufchatel cheese. Mixed with other foods, or used for spreads and dips... Service 1 Requirements for Processed Cheese Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.735 Quality...

  19. 7 CFR 58.735 - Quality specifications for raw materials.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... specifications of the finished product. (b) Swiss. Swiss cheese used in the manufacture of pasteurized process... Swiss cheese. (d) Cream cheese, Neufchatel cheese. Mixed with other foods, or used for spreads and dips... Service 1 Requirements for Processed Cheese Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.735 Quality...

  20. Is Eastern Hardwood Sawtimber Becoming Scarcer?

    Treesearch

    William G. Luppold; Gilbert P. Dempsey; Gilbert P. Dempsey

    1996-01-01

    In recent years the hardwood lumber industry has become increasingly concerned about the availability and quality of hardwood sawtimber. However, these concerns seem to contradict USDA Forest Service estimates of increased volume and quality of hardwood sawtimber. This paper examines changes in eastern hardwood sawtimber inventories and the apparent contradiction...

  1. Hard Spring Wheat Technical Committee 2016 Crop

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Seven experimental lines of hard spring wheat were grown at up to five locations in 2016 and evaluated for kernel, milling, and bread baking quality against the check variety Glenn. Wheat samples were submitted through the Wheat Quality Council and processed and milled at the USDA-ARS Hard Red Spri...

  2. 48 CFR 846.408-71 - Waiver of USDA inspection and specifications.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... VETERANS AFFAIRS CONTRACT MANAGEMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE Government Contract Quality Assurance 846.408-71...) Bacon, smoked. (6) Bacon, Canadian style. (b) When the items listed in paragraph (a) of this section are... style. This product must be a high commercial product and must have been prepared in a federally...

  3. An audit of the current U.S. Department of Agriculture frame size scoring system.

    PubMed

    Reinhardt, C D; Busby, W D

    2014-06-01

    Feedlot and carcass data from steers (n = 16,700) and heifers (n = 6,357) originating from 16 different states and fed in 17 feedlots located in southwest Iowa were used to evaluate the accuracy of the USDA frame score for predicting final BW of fed cattle. Frame score was recorded by USDA or state personnel for cattle either before leaving the state of origin or on arrival at the terminal feedlot. Mixed model procedures were used to investigate relationships between USDA frame score and measures of live performance and carcass traits. Other fixed effects included in the model included USDA muscle score, sex, age classification on feedlot entry (calf: ≤270 d of age, yearling: 271-365 d of age, and long yearling: >365 d of age), BCS on feedlot arrival, number of treatments for respiratory disease, hide color, and site of frame or muscle scoring; the interactions of sex × frame score and hide color × frame score were also included; fat thickness was included as a fixed effect (covariate) in the analysis of ADG, final BW, days on feed, LM area, marbling score, and quality grade. Random effects included in the model were year of feedlot arrival and feedlot in which cattle were fed. The system accurately projects the minimum target final BW for large frame steers and heifers; however, the final BW of the smallest medium frame steers and heifers exceeds the target minimum final BW by 35 and 40 kg, respectively. When frame score was assigned post facto based on actual final BW (adjusted to 1.27 cm fat thickness), it was determined that large frame was over-assigned by graders (62 vs. 35% for steers and 54 vs. 32% for heifers, actual score vs. postharvest score, respectively), medium frame was underassigned (37 vs. 51% and 46 vs. 58% for steers and heifers), and small frame was underassigned (0.7 vs. 15% and 0.6 vs. 10% for steers and heifers; K = 0.01, P < 0.01). Across sexes, of the cattle assigned to small, medium, or large frame score, 40, 59, and 43% actually had final BW (adjusted to 1.27 cm fat thickness) within the guidelines for the target final BW of each of the frame scores (P < 0.01). The present frame score system accurately reflects the modern feedlot cattle population; however, adjustments in the assignment of frame scores to reflect changes in technologies and final weights may be warranted.

  4. Forest Inventory and Analysis National Data Quality Assessment Report for 2000 to 2003

    Treesearch

    James E. Pollard; James A. Westfall; Paul L. Patterson; David L. Gartner; Mark Hansen; Olaf Kuegler

    2006-01-01

    The Forest Inventory and Analysis program (FIA) is the key USDA Forest Service (USFS) program that provides the information needed to assess the status and trends in the environmental quality of the Nation's forests. The goal of the FIA Quality Assurance (QA) program is to provide a framework to assure the production of complete, accurate and unbiased forest...

  5. 7 CFR 634.40 - Financial management.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ..., DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LONG TERM CONTRACTING RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM Financial Management § 634.40... comprehensive USDA/EPA joint water quality monitoring, evaluating, and analysis will be funded according to the...

  6. 7 CFR 3201.2 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... the total organic carbon in the material or product. Biobased product. A product determined by USDA to... useful products while conserving soil and improving air and water quality, wildlife, fish habitat, and...

  7. 7 CFR 3201.2 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... the total organic carbon in the material or product. Biobased product. A product determined by USDA to... useful products while conserving soil and improving air and water quality, wildlife, fish habitat, and...

  8. 7 CFR 3201.2 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... the total organic carbon in the material or product. Biobased product. A product determined by USDA to... useful products while conserving soil and improving air and water quality, wildlife, fish habitat, and...

  9. Effects of beef production system on animal performance and carcass characteristics.

    PubMed

    Maxwell, C L; Krehbiel, C R; Wilson, B K; Johnson, B T; Bernhard, B C; O'Neill, C F; VanOverbeke, D L; Mafi, G G; Step, D L; Richards, C J

    2014-12-01

    The objective of this study was to evaluate conventional (CONV) and natural (NAT) beef production systems from annual pasture through finishing through grazing. Beef steers (n=180, initial BW=250±19 kg) were assigned randomly to 2 treatments in the pasture phase. Steers were implanted with 40 mg of trenbolone acetate (TBA), 8 mg estradiol, and 29 mg tylosin tartrate (CONV), or received no implant (NAT). Steers on the 2 treatments grazed wheat or cereal rye for 109 d. Conventional steers had an 18.5% improvement in ADG (1.22 vs. 1.03 kg/d, P<0.01) and a heavier final BW (385 vs. 366 kg, P<0.01) compared with NAT steers. Following the pasture phase, steers (n=160 steers, 5 steers/pen, 8 pens/treatment) were assigned to a 2×2 factorial in the feedlot phase. Production system (NAT vs. CONV) was maintained from the pasture phase, and the second factor was 7 vs. 12% low-quality roughage (DM basis, LOW vs. HIGH). During finishing, CONV steers were given 120 mg of TBA and 24 mg estradiol at processing, fed monensin and tylosin, and fed zilpaterol hydrochloride for the last 20 d of the experiment. There were no program×roughage level interactions (P>0.07). The CONV steers ate 6.9% more feed (11.8 vs. 11.0 kg/d, P<0.01), gained 28.4% faster (1.90 vs. 1.48 kg/d, P<0.01), and were 24.2% more efficient (0.164 vs. 0.132, P<0.01) compared with NAT steers. The LOW steers had greater G:F (0.153 vs. 0.144, P<0.01) compared with HIGH steers. There was a 28.3% improvement in estimated carcass weight gain (1.36 vs. 1.06 kg/d), 18.6% improvement in carcass efficiency (0.115 vs. 0.097, P<0.01), and 21.6% improvement (1.52 vs. 1.25 Mcal/kg, P<0.01) in calculated dietary NEg for CONV compared with NAT steers. Hot carcass weight was increased by 62 kg (424 vs. 362 kg, P<0.01) and LM area was increased by 16.9 cm2 (100.9 vs. 84.0 cm2, P<0.01), decreasing USDA yield grade (YG, 3.09 vs. 3.54, P<0.01) for CONV steers compared with NAT steers. Natural steers had a greater percentage of carcasses in the upper 2/3 of USDA Choice grade (48.7 vs. 18.7%, P<0.01), a greater percentage of YG 4 and 5 carcasses (25.4 vs. 9.3%, P<0.01), and a greater percentage of abscessed livers (39.6 vs. 10.5%, P<0.01) compared with CONV steers. The results show that CONV production results in more rapid and efficient production that resulted in heavier carcasses with superior YG and desirable quality grades with both roughage levels.

  10. Association Between State Laws Governing School Meal Nutrition Content and Student Weight Status

    PubMed Central

    Taber, Daniel R.; Chriqui, Jamie F.; Powell, Lisa; Chaloupka, Frank J.

    2014-01-01

    Importance This study assessed whether stronger school meal nutrition standards may improve student weight status. Results have immediate implications because of the ongoing implementation of new nutrition standards for the National School Lunch Program. Objective To determine if state laws with stricter school meal nutrition standards are inversely associated with adolescent weight status, while controlling for unmeasured state-level confounders. Design Quasi-experiment. Setting Public schools. Participants Four thousand eight hundred seventy eighth-grade students in 40 states. Students were categorized by type of school lunch they usually obtained (free/reduced price, regular price, or none). Interventions State laws governing school meal nutrition standards. States with standards that exceeded US Department of Agriculture (USDA) school meal standards were compared with states that did not exceed USDA standards. The parameter of interest was the interaction between state laws and student lunch participant status, ie, whether disparities in weight status between school lunch participants and nonparticipants were smaller in states with stricter standards. Main Outcome Measures Body mass index percentile and obesity status. Results In states that exceeded USDA standards, the difference in obesity prevalence between students who obtained free/reduced-price lunches and students who did not obtain school lunches was 12.3 percentage points smaller (95% CI, −21.5 to −3.0) compared with states that did not exceed USDA standards. Likewise, differences in mean body mass index percentile between those student populations were 11 units smaller in states that exceeded USDA standards (95% CI, −17.7 to −4.3). There was little evidence that students compensated for school meal laws by purchasing more sweets, salty snacks, or sugar-sweetened beverages from other school venues (eg, vending machines) or other sources (eg, fast food). Conclusions and Relevance Stringent school meal standards that reflect the latest nutrition science may improve weight status among school lunch participants, particularly those eligible for free/reduced-price lunches. PMID:23567869

  11. The American manufacturer's view on the EEC texts and harmonization.

    PubMed

    Draayer, H A; Hilsabeck, L J; Miller, R H

    1992-01-01

    In a world that has become increasingly smaller with the aid of modern air travel, computers and facsimile machines, the European Community's efforts toward harmonization are applauded by the Animal Health Institute, representing the major U.S. manufacturers of veterinary biological products. The new and proposed directives and guidelines are based on the latest technology and help ensure that only high-quality safe and effective veterinary biologicals are registered in the European Community. These new legislations are, however, significantly different from the current United States (USDA) licensing requirements. The USDA requirements are designed to ensure the safety and efficacy of veterinary biologicals licensed in the United States and have been effective in doing so. Among major differences between EEC and USDA requirements are the EEC requirements for GLP safety tests, GMP for manufacturing, with increased measures for the prevention of cross-contamination, duration of immunity data, and raw material specifications in excess of those required in the United States. Very tight deadlines for implementing these requirements have been established. In the spirit of international harmonization and with the goal of reducing or preventing potential trade barriers, the AHI would like to propose the formation of an international working group consisting of FEDESA, AHI, CVMP, USDA and other international industry and government officials. It is suggested that annual meetings be held in conjunction with either FEDESA or AHI meetings. Issues to be dealt with include standardization of test requirements, time lines for implementation and other issues that could reduce or prevent trade barriers without adversely affecting product quality.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

  12. Evaluating the Utility of Remotely-Sensed Soil Moisture Retrievals for Operational Agricultural Drought Monitoring

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bolten, John D.; Crow, Wade T.; Zhan, Xiwu; Jackson, Thomas J.; Reynolds,Curt

    2010-01-01

    Soil moisture is a fundamental data source used by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) International Production Assessment Division (IPAD) to monitor crop growth stage and condition and subsequently, globally forecast agricultural yields. Currently, the USDA IPAD estimates surface and root-zone soil moisture using a two-layer modified Palmer soil moisture model forced by global precipitation and temperature measurements. However, this approach suffers from well-known errors arising from uncertainty in model forcing data and highly simplified model physics. Here we attempt to correct for these errors by designing and applying an Ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) data assimilation system to integrate surface soil moisture retrievals from the NASA Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR-E) into the USDA modified Palmer soil moisture model. An assessment of soil moisture analysis products produced from this assimilation has been completed for a five-year (2002 to 2007) period over the North American continent between 23degN - 50degN and 128degW - 65degW. In particular, a data denial experimental approach is utilized to isolate the added utility of integrating remotely-sensed soil moisture by comparing EnKF soil moisture results obtained using (relatively) low-quality precipitation products obtained from real-time satellite imagery to baseline Palmer model runs forced with higher quality rainfall. An analysis of root-zone anomalies for each model simulation suggests that the assimilation of AMSR-E surface soil moisture retrievals can add significant value to USDA root-zone predictions derived from real-time satellite precipitation products.

  13. Producing and marketing a specialty egg.

    PubMed

    Michella, S M; Slaugh, B T

    2000-07-01

    Eggland's Best, Inc. markets premium quality shell eggs under the Eggland's Best (EB) brand name. The company, started in 1988, is comprised of a franchise network of established egg producers and covers most of the United States. Eggland's Best provides its franchisees with marketing and technical support. The franchisees produce, process, and distribute EB eggs according to the strict program established and monitored by EB. Production follows the all-natural vegetarian feed program in accordance with the company's US patent entitled "Eggs Compatible with a Cholesterol Reducing Diet and Method of Producing the Same." The EB program excludes animal fat and other animal byproducts. Eggland's Best eggs have seven times the generic level of vitamin E, nearly three times more omega-3 fatty acids and iodine, and 25% less saturated fat than regular generic eggs. Eggland's Best has one of the finest shell egg quality assurance programs anywhere. Eggland's Best franchisees submit weekly egg samples that are analyzed for shell quality, interior quality, vitamin E, iodine, cholesterol and fatty acids. Samples of feed and the EB-patented feed supplement are also analyzed. Approximately 28,000 total laboratory tests are conducted annually. Nationwide product and display retail evaluations are contracted through an outside audit company (40 to 50 cities evaluated four times per year). All EB eggs are USDA graded according to EB's strict quality standards. Producers must follow a food safety quality assurance program (United Egg Producers Association 5-Star or equivalent state or company program). Each egg is stamped "EB" as assurance of meeting EB's highest standards of flavor, quality, and nutrition. Eggland's Best has enjoyed record sales growth for the past 3 yr.

  14. Calibration of the Root Zone Water Quality Model and Application of Data Assimilation Techniques to Estimate Profile Soil Moisture

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Estimation of soil moisture has received considerable attention in the areas of hydrology, agriculture, meteorology and environmental studies because of its role in the partitioning water and energy at the land surface. In this study, the USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Root Zone Water Quality ...

  15. USDA/Regional Dairy Quality Management Alliance (RDQM) Project-2008 Report

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The Regional Dairy Quality Management Alliance (RDQMA) research project has been underway for four years. We have so far been able to study best management practices on three dairy farms in the Northeast. ON these farms very precise data are collected with regard to the health status of the animals ...

  16. Analysis of parameter sensitivity and identifiability of root zone water quality model (RZWQM) for dryland sugerbeet modeling

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Sugarbeet is being considered as one of the most viable feedstock alternatives to corn for biofuel production since herbicide resistant energy beets were deregulated by USDA in 2012. Growing sugarbeets for biofuel production may have significant impacts on soil health and water quality in the north-...

  17. Assessment of Genetic and Molecular Approaches for the Prediction of Wheat Quality

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Assessment of genetic and molecular approaches for the prediction of wheat quality. R.A. Graybosch, USDA-ARS, Lincoln, NE, U.S.A. Over the past four decades, the field of plant breeding and genetics has been revolutionized by technological advances in the areas of DNA manipulation and evaluation. Fo...

  18. Clean Water Act Section 404 and Agriculture

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and EPA have longstanding programs to promote water quality and broader environmental goals identified in both the Agriculture Act of 2014 and the Clean Water Act.

  19. Final work plan : phase I investigation of potential contamination at the former CCC/USDA grain storage facility in Montgomery City, Missouri.

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    LaFreniere, L. M.; Environmental Science Division

    From September 1949 until September 1966, the Commodity Credit Corporation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (CCC/USDA) leased property at the southeastern end of Montgomery City, Missouri, for the operation of a grain storage facility. During this time, commercial grain fumigants containing carbon tetrachloride were commonly used by the CCC/USDA and the private grain storage industry to preserve grain in their facilities. In January 2000, carbon tetrachloride was detected in a soil sample (220 {micro}g/kg) and two soil gas samples (58 {micro}g/m{sup 3} and 550 {micro}g/m{sup 3}) collected at the former CCC/USDA facility, as a result of a pre-CERCLIS sitemore » screening investigation (SSI) performed by TN & Associates, Inc., on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region VII (MoDNR 2001). In June 2001, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) conducted further sampling of the soils and groundwater at the former CCC/USDA facility as part of a preliminary assessment/site inspection (PA/SI). The MoDNR confirmed the presence of carbon tetrachloride (at a maximum identified concentration of 2,810 {micro}g/kg) and chloroform (maximum 82 {micro}g/kg) in the soils and also detected carbon tetrachloride and chloroform (42.2 {micro}g/L and 58.4 {micro}g/L, respectively) in a groundwater sample collected at the former facility (MoDNR 2001). The carbon tetrachloride levels identified in the soils and groundwater are above the default target level (DTL) values established by the MoDNR for this contaminant in soils of all types (79.6 {micro}g/kg) and in groundwater (5.0 {micro}g/L), as outlined in Missouri Risk-Based Corrective Action (MRBCA): Departmental Technical Guidance (MoDNR 2006a). The corresponding MRBCA DTL values for chloroform are 76.6 {micro}g/kg in soils of all types and 80 {micro}g/L in groundwater. Because the observed contamination at Montgomery City might be linked to the past use of carbon tetrachloride-based fumigants at its former grain storage facility, the CCC/USDA will conduct investigations to (1) characterize the source(s), extent, and factors controlling the possible subsurface distribution and movement of carbon tetrachloride at the Montgomery City site and (2) evaluate the health and environmental threats potentially represented by the contamination. This work will be performed in accord with the Intergovernmental Agreement established between the Farm Service Agency of the USDA and the MoDNR, to address carbon tetrachloride contamination potentially associated with a number of former CCC/USDA grain storage facilities in Missouri. The investigations at Montgomery City will be conducted on behalf of the CCC/USDA by the Environmental Science Division of Argonne National Laboratory. Argonne is a nonprofit, multidisciplinary research center operated by UChicago Argonne, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The CCC/USDA has entered into an agreement with DOE, under which Argonne provides technical assistance to the CCC/USDA with environmental site characterization and remediation at its former grain storage facilities. The site characterization at Montgomery City will take place in phases. This approach is recommended by the CCC/USDA and Argonne, so that information obtained and interpretations developed during each incremental stage of the investigation can be used most effectively to guide subsequent phases of the program. This site-specific Work Plan outlines the specific technical objectives and scope of work proposed for Phase I of the Montgomery City investigation. This Work Plan also includes the community relations plan to be followed throughout the CCC/USDA program at the Montgomery City site. Argonne is developing a Master Work Plan specific to operations in the state of Missouri. In the meantime, Argonne has issued a Provisional Master Work Plan (PMWP; Argonne 2007) that has been reviewed and approved by the MoDNR for current use. The PMWP (Argonne 2007) provides detailed information and guidance on the investigative technologies, analytical methodologies, quality assurance-quality control measures, and general health and safety policies to be employed by Argonne for all investigations at former CCC/USDA grain storage facilities in Missouri. Both the PMWP and this site-specific Work Plan must therefore be consulted for a complete description of the planned Phase I work at the former CCC/USDA facility at Montgomery City.« less

  20. 40 CFR 81.405 - California.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... AREAS FOR AIR QUALITY PLANNING PURPOSES Identification of Mandatory Class I Federal Areas Where... Tree Wild 429,690 94-567 USDI-NPS Kaiser Wild 22,500 94-577 USDA-FS Kings Canyon NP 459,994 76-424 USDI...

  1. 40 CFR 81.406 - Colorado.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... AREAS FOR AIR QUALITY PLANNING PURPOSES Identification of Mandatory Class I Federal Areas Where... Flat Tops Wild 235,230 94-146 USDA-FS Great Sand Dunes Wild 33,450 94-567 USDI-NPS La Garita Wild 48...

  2. USDA Forest Service national protocols for sampling air pollution-sensitive waters

    Treesearch

    T. J. Sullivan

    2012-01-01

    The first step in designing a surface water sampling program is identifying one or more problems or questions that require information on water quality. Common water quality problems include nutrient enrichment (from a variety of causes), effects of atmospheric deposition (acidification, eutrophication, toxicity), and effects of major disturbances such as fire or pest...

  3. The sensitivity of derived estimates to the measurment quality objectives for independent variables

    Treesearch

    Francis A. Roesch

    2002-01-01

    The effect of varying the allowed measurement error for individual tree variables upon county estimates of gross cubic-foot volume was examined. Measurement Quality Ob~ectives (MQOs) for three forest tree variables (biological identity, diameter, and height) used in individual tree gross cubic-foot volume equations were varied from the current USDA Forest Service...

  4. The Sensitivity of Derived Estimates to the Measurement Quality Objectives for Independent Variables

    Treesearch

    Francis A. Roesch

    2005-01-01

    The effect of varying the allowed measurement error for individual tree variables upon county estimates of gross cubic-foot volume was examined. Measurement Quality Objectives (MQOs) for three forest tree variables (biological identity, diameter, and height) used in individual tree gross cubic-foot volume equations were varied from the current USDA Forest Service...

  5. Soil quality standards and guidelines for forest sustainability in northwestern North America

    Treesearch

    Deborah Page-Dumroese; Martin Jurgensen; William Elliot; Thomas Rice; John Nesser; Thomas Collins; Robert Meurisse

    2000-01-01

    Soil quality standards and guidelines of the USDA Forest Service were some of the first in the world to be developed to evaluate changes in forest soil productivity and sustainability after harvesting and site preparation. International and national development of criteria and indicators for maintenance of soil productivity make it imperative to have adequate threshold...

  6. Stress wave techniques for determining quality of dimensional lumber from switch ties

    Treesearch

    K. C. Schad; D. E. Kretschmann; K. A. McDonald; R. J. Ross; D. W. Green

    1995-01-01

    Researchers at the Forest Products Laboratory, USDA Forest Service, have been studying nondestructive techniques for evaluating the strength of wood. This report describes the results of a pilot study on using these techniques to determine the quality of large dimensional lumber cut from switch ties. First, pulse echo and dynamic (transverse vibration) techniques were...

  7. Effect of rapid thawing on the meat quality attributes of USDA Select beef strip loin steaks

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The objective of this study was to determine the meat quality effects of rapidly thawing steaks in a water bath. Frozen beef strip loins (n = 24) were cut into steaks sequentially from the rib end and identified by anatomical location (anterior, middle, posterior) within the loin. Within location,...

  8. Applying Knowledge-Based Methods to Design and Implement an Air Quality Workshop

    Treesearch

    Daniel L. Schmoldt; David L. Peterson

    1991-01-01

    In response to protection needs in class I wilderness areas, forest land managers of the USDA Forest Service must provide input to regulatory agencies regarding air pollutant impacts on air quality-related values. Regional workshops have been convened for land managers and scientists to discuss the aspects and extent of wilderness protection needs. Previous experience...

  9. Effects of supplementing zinc or chromium to finishing steers fed ractopamine hydrochloride on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality.

    PubMed

    Edenburn, B M; Kneeskern, S G; Bohrer, B M; Rounds, W; Boler, D D; Dilger, A C; Felix, T L

    2016-02-01

    Objectives were to determine the effects of feeding ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) with zinc (Zn) and chromium (Cr) on feedlot growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. Steers ( = 179; initial BW = 533 ± 94 kg) were blocked by BW and allotted to 30 pens, and pens were randomly assigned 1 of 5 treatments: (1) control (CONT), (2) RAC only (RO), (3) RAC + Zn (RZ), (4) RAC + Cr (RC), or (5) RAC + Zn + Cr (RZC). Trace minerals were fed from d 0 to 63 to target 1 g of Zn/steer·d (KemTRACE Zn; Kemin Industries, Inc., Des Moines, IA) and 3 mg Cr/steer·d (KemTRACE Chromium; Kemin Industries, Inc.) for Zn and Cr treatments, respectively. Dry-rolled corn, 0.605 kg/steer, was removed from the diet and 400 mg RAC, per 0.605 kg of ground corn carrier, was top dressed per steer immediately following feed delivery to pens fed RAC. There were no effects ( ≥ 0.45) of trace mineral supplementation on DMI, ADG, or G:F before RAC feeding. There were also no treatment effects ( ≥ 0.46) over all 63 d of the trial on DMI, ADG, or G:F. Despite the lack of differences in live performance, steers fed RO and RC averaged 0.10 kg/d greater ( = 0.10) carcass ADG than steers fed RZC and CONT, while steers fed RZ were intermediate and not different. Steers fed RO had the greatest ( = 0.09) carcass G:F, while steers fed CONT had the least carcass G:F, 0.0875 and 0.0774, respectively. Steers fed RO and RC averaged 5.5 kg heavier ( = 0.09) HCW than steers fed RZC and CONT, while steers fed RZ were intermediate and not different. There were no treatment effects ( ≥ 0.32) on LM area, 12th rib fat, marbling score, KPH, carcass yield, or USDA yield grade and distribution. However, carcasses from steers fed RC had the greatest ( = 0.10) percentage grading USDA Select. There were no treatment effects ( ≥ 0.20) on shear force, intramuscular fat, pH, a*, and b*. Steaks from steers fed RO and RC had 11.4% greater ( = 0.08) cook loss than steaks from steers fed CONT and RZC, whereas steaks from steers fed RZ were intermediate and not different. Also, steaks from steers fed RC had 2.11 units greater ( = 0.03) L* values (i.e., were lighter) than steaks from steers fed RZ; steaks from steers fed CONT, RO, and RZC were intermediate. In feedlot steers, the addition of both Cr and Zn supplementation did not improve growth performance or meat quality when fed in combination with 28 d of RAC supplementation; however, RAC, fed alone or in combination with Cr, did increase HCW.

  10. AGRICULTURAL NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION (AGNPS)

    EPA Science Inventory

    Developed by the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution (AGNPS) model addresses concerns related to the potential impacts of point and nonpoint source pollution on surface and groundwater quality (Young et al., 1989). It was designed to quantit...

  11. Agricultural Baseline (BL0) scenario

    DOE Data Explorer

    Davis, Maggie R. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000181319328); Hellwinckel, Chad M [University of Tennessee] (ORCID:0000000173085058); Eaton, Laurence [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000312709626); Turhollow, Anthony [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000228159350); Brandt, Craig [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000214707379); Langholtz, Matthew H. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000281537154)

    2016-07-13

    Scientific reason for data generation: to serve as the reference case for the BT16 volume 1 agricultural scenarios. The agricultural baseline runs from 2015 through 2040; a starting year of 2014 is used. Date the data set was last modified: 02/12/2016 How each parameter was produced (methods), format, and relationship to other data in the data set: simulation was developed without offering a farmgate price to energy crops or residues (i.e., building on both the USDA 2015 baseline and the agricultural census data (USDA NASS 2014). Data generated are .txt output files by year, simulation identifier, county code (1-3109). Instruments used: POLYSYS (version POLYS2015_V10_alt_JAN22B) supplied by the University of Tennessee APAC The quality assurance and quality control that have been applied: • Check for negative planted area, harvested area, production, yield and cost values. • Check if harvested area exceeds planted area for annuals. • Check FIPS codes.

  12. Rootstock effects on fruit quality among 'Ray Ruby' grapefruit trees grown in the Indian River district of Florida

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The objective of this experiment was to compare fruit quality parameters of ‘Ray Ruby’ grapefruit grown on seven rootstocks. Four recent releases from the USDA rootstock breeding program, US-852, US-897, US-942 and US-812 (all Citrus reticulata x P. trifoliata hybrids), X639 (C. reticulata x P. tri...

  13. Understory vegetation data quality assessment for the Interior West Forest and Inventory Analysis program

    Treesearch

    Paul L. Patterson; Renee A. O' Brien

    2011-01-01

    The Interior West Forest Inventory and Analysis (IW-FIA) program of the USDA Forest Service collects field data on understory vegetation structure that have broad applications. In IW-FIA one aspect of quality assurance is assessed based on the repeatability of field measurements. The understory vegetation protocol consists of two suites of measurements; (1) the...

  14. Our science matters - and is recognized

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The Presidential Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity listed five key indicators of rural prosperity: e-Connectivity for Rural America, Improving Quality of Life, Supporting a Rural Workforce, Harnessing Technological Innovation, and Economic Development (https://www.usda.gov/sites/default...

  15. Advancements in Cotton Harvesting Research

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Cotton harvesting research within USDA ARS is focused on improving harvest productivity, cotton quality, and producer profitability. In recent years, our work has encompassed efforts to improve both spindle picker and brush-roll stripper harvesting systems. Specifically, work with cotton pickers i...

  16. Evaluation of United States Department of Agriculture-sponsored consumer materials addressing food security.

    PubMed

    Tolma, Eleni; John, Robert; Garner, Jane

    2007-01-01

    Food insecurity in the United States is a major public health issue. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the availability and quality of printed materials addressing food security targeted to special populations by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Nutrition education resources addressing food security available from USDA websites were selected for analysis. Not applicable. The review team consisted of project staff (n = 6), two of who were fluent in Spanish. Selection criteria were established to identify the food-security materials, and a group of reviewers assessed the quality of each publication both quantitatively and qualitatively. A consensus meeting among the reviewers was held to make final determinations of the quality of the materials. The quantitative data analysis consisted of basic descriptive statistics. Among the 27 materials initially identified, 20 were either irrelevant or of low relevance to food security. Moreover, very few of them were intended for minority populations. The quality of most of the materials ranged from "average" to "good." Some of the major weaknesses include readability level, lack of cultural relevance, and inadequate coverage of food insecurity. Very few materials on food insecurity are of high quality. In the development of such materials, emphasis should be given to the readability level, content, and cultural relevance.

  17. Poultry production's environmental impact on water quality.

    PubMed

    Pope, C W

    1991-05-01

    Poultry meat and eggs are rapidly becoming the major source of animal protein in the diets of American consumers. Such expansion has resulted in a similar increase in waste management problems. The national production of broilers and mature chickens was 5.68 billion, 242 million turkeys, 31 million ducks, and 69 trillion table eggs in 1989 based on the USDA National Statistics Survey. Annual production of fecal waste from poultry flocks was 8.8 million tons on a dry weight basis plus more than 106,000 metric tons of broiler hatchery waste. Add to this 37 million dead birds and condemnations at processing plants (figures are also from USDA for 1989 based on USDA National Statistics Survey). When all this waste is added together, the task of keeping the environment clean becomes monumental. The following waste management practices can and must take care of these poultry industry waste products: sanitary land fills, rendering facilities, extrusion machinery, compost plants, lagoons or holding tanks, and land application techniques.

  18. Decision Support Tools Evaluation Report for FAS/PECAD, Version 2.0

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ross, Kenton; McKellip, Rodney; Mason, Ted; Zanoni, Vicki; Morris, Keith

    2004-01-01

    Global agricultral intelligence is a key element of decision support eithin the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Estimeates of production and yield issued by the USDA for both foreign and domestic agriculture are primary sources of information for policy and management decision making. The USDA monitors the major global agricultural commodities through the Production Estimates and Crop Assessment Division (PECAD) of its Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Specifically, PECAD iintelligence focuses on global agricultural production and on conditions that affect food security. In conjunction with the USDA, NASA is evaluating the potential for products from NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) missions to add value to PECAD's decision support tools. NASA is usig a systems engineering approach to evaluate the potential enhancement of PECAD's decision support system (DSS)-first by understanding the components of the system and its input requirements, then by recommending NASA products that may be integrated as system inputs to improve the accuracy, quality, or efficiency of the DSS output. This report documents the evaluation phase of the systems engineering process and includes an examination of the system architecture, operations, and input requirements, as well as an initial assessment of specific ESE measurement systems and products that should be considered for their potential to enhance the PECAD DSS.

  19. Assessing the relation of USDA conservation expenditures to suspended sediment reductions in an Iowa watershed.

    PubMed

    Villarini, Gabriele; Schilling, Keith E; Jones, Christopher S

    2016-09-15

    From 1936 to 2010, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies spent $293.7 billion (value adjusted for inflation at the 2009 level) on conservation programs. Of these expenditures, $75.2 billion (26%) were allocated for technical assistance (TA; it is related to costs associated with USDA field staff providing their expert advice to farmers) and $218.5 billion (74%) for financial assistance (FA; monetary incentives for farmers to adopt conservation programs). A major environmental goal of these programs was to reduce soil erosion and sediment leaving the land. In this study, we correlate expenditures on FA and TA programs to a unique long (1937-2009) record of total suspended solids (TSS) and sediment load (SL) for the Raccoon River at Van Meter, Iowa. Study results suggest that three predictors (rainfall, TA and FA) are important in explaining the temporal changes in annual TSS and SL and provide evidence that USDA expenditures helped reduce TSS and SL in the Raccoon River. TA was more effective than FA in reducing TSS levels in the watershed. Our empirical model represents an initial, broad-scale attempt to correlate conservation expenditures to a specific water quality outcome, although more work is needed to disentangle the impacts associated with other unexplored factors. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. Contact USDA-ARS | USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

    Science.gov Websites

    USDA Logo Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture Mapping by PRISM / Help / Contact USDA-ARS Topics How to Use This Website Contact USDA-ARS Contact USDA Agricultural Mapping, please contact the USDA Agricultural Research Service by sending an e-mail to phzm@ars.usda.gov

  1. Beef customer satisfaction: factors affecting consumer evaluations of clod steaks.

    PubMed

    Goodson, K J; Morgan, W W; Reagan, J O; Gwartney, B L; Courington, S M; Wise, J W; Savell, J W

    2002-02-01

    An in-home beef study evaluated consumer ratings of clod steaks (n = 1,264) as influenced by USDA quality grade (Top Choice, Low Choice, High Select, and Low Select), city (Chicago and Philadelphia), consumer segment (Beef Loyals, who are heavy consumers of beef; Budget Rotators, who are cost-driven and split meat consumption between beef and chicken; and Variety Rotators, who have higher incomes and education and split their meat consumption among beef, poultry, and other foods), degree of doneness, and cooking method. Consumers evaluated each steak for Overall Like, Tenderness, Juiciness, Flavor Like, and Flavor Amount using 10-point scales. Grilling was the predominant cooking method used, and steaks were cooked to medium-well and greater degrees of doneness. Interactions existed involving the consumer-controlled factors of degree of doneness and(or) cooking method for all consumer-evaluated traits for the clod steak (P < 0.05). USDA grade did not affect any consumer evaluation traits or Warner-Bratzler shear force values (P > 0.05). One significant main effect, segment (P = 0.006), and one significant interaction, cooking method x city (P = 0.0407), existed for Overall Like ratings. Consumers in the Beef Loyals segment rated clod steaks higher in Overall Like than the other segments. Consumers in Chicago tended to give more uniform Overall Like ratings to clod steaks cooked by various methods; however, consumers in Philadelphia gave among the highest ratings to clod steaks that were fried and among the lowest to those that were grilled. Additionally, although clod steaks that were fried were given generally high ratings by consumers in Philadelphia, consumers in Chicago rated clod steaks cooked in this manner significantly lower than those in Philadelphia. Conversely, consumers in Chicago rated clod steaks that were grilled significantly higher than consumers in Philadelphia. Correlation and stepwise regression analyses indicated that Flavor Like was driving customer satisfaction of the clod steak. Flavor Like was the sensory trait most highly correlated to Overall Like, followed by Tenderness, Flavor Amount, and Juiciness. Flavor Like was the first variable to enter into the stepwise regression equation for predicting Overall Like, followed by Tenderness and Flavor Amount. For the clod steak, it is likely that preparation techniques that improve flavor without reducing tenderness positively affect customer satisfaction.

  2. 75 FR 25830 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request, Supplemental...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-05-10

    ... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Regulations, Part 275--Quality Control AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: As required by the...

  3. 78 FR 30844 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request: Supplemental...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-05-23

    ... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Regulations, Quality Control AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: As required by the Paperwork...

  4. 78 FR 37200 - Peanut Standards Board

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-06-20

    ...] Peanut Standards Board AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice; request for... Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Peanut Standards Board (Board) for the purpose of advising the Secretary on quality and handling standards for domestically produced and imported peanuts. The initial...

  5. 76 FR 31574 - Peanut Standards Board

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-06-01

    ...] Peanut Standards Board AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice; request for... Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Peanut Standards Board (Board) for the purpose of advising the Secretary on quality and handling standards for domestically produced and imported peanuts. The initial...

  6. 77 FR 56178 - Peanut Standards Board

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-09-12

    ...] Peanut Standards Board AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice; request for... Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Peanut Standards Board (Board) for the purpose of advising the Secretary on quality and handling standards for domestically produced and imported peanuts. The initial...

  7. Screening procedure to evaluate effects of air pollution on Eastern Region wildernesses cited as Class I air quality areas.

    Treesearch

    Mary Beth Adams; Dale S. Nichols; Anthony C. Federer; Keith F. Jensen; Harry Parrott

    1991-01-01

    The USDA Forest Service's Eastern Region manages eight wilderness areas that have been designated as Class I air quality areas by the Federal Clean Air Act. As part of this legislation, Federal land managers are required to consult with air pollution regulators on the potential impacts of proposed air pollution emissions--including phytotoxic gases and acidic...

  8. Northern goshawk and its prey in the Black Hills: Habitat assessment

    Treesearch

    Russell T. Graham; Shelley Bayard de Volo; Richard T. Reynolds

    2015-01-01

    The northern goshawk is classified as a Sensitive Species in all USDA Forest Service regions, including on the Black Hills National Forest in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming. An assessment was conducted of the quality of northern goshawk nesting and foraging habitat, along with the habitat quality of 22 of the goshawk’s prey species. A Delphi (expert...

  9. Effect of Wagyu- versus Angus-sired calves on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and tenderness.

    PubMed

    Radunz, A E; Loerch, S C; Lowe, G D; Fluharty, F L; Zerby, H N

    2009-09-01

    Wagyu-sired (n = 20) and Angus-sired (n = 19) steers and heifers were used to compare the effects of sire breed on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and meat tenderness. Calves were weaned at 138 +/- 5 d of age and individually fed a finishing diet consisting of 65% whole corn, 20% protein/vitamin/mineral supplement, and 15% corn silage on a DM basis. Heifers and steers were slaughtered at 535 and 560 kg of BW, respectively. Carcasses were ribbed between the 12th and 13th (USDA grading system) and the 6th and 7th ribs (Japanese grading system) to measure fat thickness, LM area (LMA), and intramuscular fat (IMF). Two steaks were removed from the 12th rib location and aged for 72 h and 14 d to determine Warner-Bratzler shear force and cooking loss. Sire breed x sex interactions were not significant (P > 0.05). Angus-sired calves had greater (P < 0.05) ADG and DMI than Wagyu. Wagyu-sired calves had improved (P < 0.05) feed efficiency than Angus. Sire breed did not affect (P > 0.20) HCW, 12th-rib fat, or USDA yield grade. Carcasses of Wagyu had greater (P = 0.0001) marbling scores at the 12th rib than those of Angus (770.9 vs. 597.3 +/- 41.01, respectively). Carcasses of Wagyu also had greater (P < 0.02) 12th-rib IMF and 6th-rib IMF than Angus, resulting in a greater proportion of carcasses grading Prime (65.0 vs. 21.1%; P = 0.006). Carcasses from Wagyu tended (P = 0.08) to have greater LMA at the 12th rib, whereas Angus carcasses had greater (P < 0.05) LMA at the 6th rib. Steaks from Angus and Wagyu had similar (P > 0.50) tenderness at aging times of 72 h and 14 d. Cooking loss was greater (P < 0.01) for Angus than Wagyu steaks at 72 h and 14 d. Using Wagyu sires vs. Angus sires on British-based commercial cows combined with early weaning management strategies has the potential to produce a product with greater marbling, but is unlikely to significantly enhance tenderness.

  10. Sweetie Pie Thornless Blackberry

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    ‘Sweetie Pie’ is a new thornless blackberry (Rubus L. subg. Watson) cultivar developed and released by the USDA-ARS Thad Cochran Southern Horticultural Laboratory. ‘Sweetie Pie’ is a vigorous, semi-erect blackberry that produces moderate yields of sweet high quality fruit having excellent flavor, ...

  11. ARS labs update to California Cotton Ginners and Growers

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    There are four USDA-ARS labs involved in cotton harvesting, processing & fiber quality research; The Southwestern Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory (Mesilla Park, NM); The Cotton Production and Processing Unit (Lubbock, TX); The Cotton Ginning Research Unit (Stoneville, MS); and The Cotton Structur...

  12. Effects Of Winter Manure Application In Ohio On The Quality Of Surface Runoff

    EPA Science Inventory

    Winter application of manure can pose environmental risks depending upon the application approach. Seven continuous corn, instrumented watersheds (approximately 1 ha each) at the USDA-ARS North Applachian Experimental Watershed research station near Coshocton, Ohio were used to ...

  13. An evaluation of the lamb vision system as a predictor of lamb carcass red meat yield percentage.

    PubMed

    Brady, A S; Belk, K E; LeValley, S B; Dalsted, N L; Scanga, J A; Tatum, J D; Smith, G C

    2003-06-01

    An objective method for predicting red meat yield in lamb carcasses is needed to accurately assess true carcass value. This study was performed to evaluate the ability of the lamb vision system (LVS; Research Management Systems USA, Fort Collins, CO) to predict fabrication yields of lamb carcasses. Lamb carcasses (n = 246) were evaluated using LVS and hot carcass weight (HCW), as well as by USDA expert and on-line graders, before fabrication of carcass sides to either bone-in or boneless cuts. On-line whole number, expert whole-number, and expert nearest-tenth USDA yield grades and LVS + HCW estimates accounted for 53, 52, 58, and 60%, respectively, of the observed variability in boneless, saleable meat yields, and accounted for 56, 57, 62, and 62%, respectively, of the variation in bone-in, saleable meat yields. The LVS + HCW system predicted 77, 65, 70, and 87% of the variation in weights of boneless shoulders, racks, loins, and legs, respectively, and 85, 72, 75, and 86% of the variation in weights of bone-in shoulders, racks, loins, and legs, respectively. Addition of longissimus muscle area (REA), adjusted fat thickness (AFT), or both REA and AFT to LVS + HCW models resulted in improved prediction of boneless saleable meat yields by 5, 3, and 5 percentage points, respectively. Bone-in, saleable meat yield estimations were improved in predictive accuracy by 7.7, 6.6, and 10.1 percentage points, and in precision, when REA alone, AFT alone, or both REA and AFT, respectively, were added to the LVS + HCW output models. Use of LVS + HCW to predict boneless red meat yields of lamb carcasses was more accurate than use of current on-line whole-number, expert whole-number, or expert nearest-tenth USDA yield grades. Thus, LVS + HCW output, when used alone or in combination with AFT and/or REA, improved on-line estimation of boneless cut yields from lamb carcasses. The ability of LVS + HCW to predict yields of wholesale cuts suggests that LVS could be used as an objective means for pricing carcasses in a value-based marketing system.

  14. Instrumentation for full-year plot-scale runoff monitoring

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Replicated 0.34 ha cropping systems plots have been in place since 1991 at the USDA-ARS Goodwater Creek Experimental Watershed in central Missouri. Recently, instrumentation has been installed at 18 of those plots for continuous runoff water quality and quantity monitoring. That installation require...

  15. Water Quality Additions to CASC2D - Taps

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2001-09-01

    agricultural management systems," USDA-ARS, Southeast Watershed Reseach Lab., Tifton , GA . Saghafian, B. (1992). "Hydrologic analysis of watershed...600/3-87/007, Environmental Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, USEPA, Athens, GA . Dumesnil, D., ed. (1993). "EPIC user’s guide

  16. 7 CFR 650.9 - NEPA and interagency planning.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... determined by the USDA Environmental Coordinator, Office of Environmental Quality Activities. (3) If NRCS and... cooperating agencies in preparing the environmental evaluation. This assistance will broaden the expertise in... significant environmental issues in its environmental evaluation. Formalized scoping is used to insure that an...

  17. 7 CFR 650.9 - NEPA and interagency planning.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... determined by the USDA Environmental Coordinator, Office of Environmental Quality Activities. (3) If NRCS and... cooperating agencies in preparing the environmental evaluation. This assistance will broaden the expertise in... significant environmental issues in its environmental evaluation. Formalized scoping is used to insure that an...

  18. 7 CFR 650.9 - NEPA and interagency planning.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... determined by the USDA Environmental Coordinator, Office of Environmental Quality Activities. (3) If NRCS and... cooperating agencies in preparing the environmental evaluation. This assistance will broaden the expertise in... significant environmental issues in its environmental evaluation. Formalized scoping is used to insure that an...

  19. 7 CFR 650.9 - NEPA and interagency planning.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... determined by the USDA Environmental Coordinator, Office of Environmental Quality Activities. (3) If NRCS and... cooperating agencies in preparing the environmental evaluation. This assistance will broaden the expertise in... significant environmental issues in its environmental evaluation. Formalized scoping is used to insure that an...

  20. 7 CFR 652.6 - Department delivery of technical services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 6 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Department delivery of technical services. 652.6 Section 652.6 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) NATURAL RESOURCES... USDA Federal assistance rules and requirements for competency, quality, and selection, as appropriate...

  1. Management Can Reduce Contamination Potential of Beef Backgrounding

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Producers who want to “background” beef cattle on karst landscapes face great challenges. This is because without proper management, manure-borne contaminants from backgrounding sites can quickly degrade water quality in karst regions. Western Kentucky University and USDA-ARS reported on three-year ...

  2. Agricultural Baseline (BL0) scenario of the 2016 Billion-Ton Report

    DOE Data Explorer

    Davis, Maggie R. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000181319328); Hellwinkel, Chad [University of Tennessee, APAC] (ORCID:0000000173085058); Eaton, Laurence [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000312709626); Langholtz, Matthew H [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000281537154); Turhollow, Anthony [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000228159350); Brandt, Craig [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000214707379); Myers, Aaron [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000320373827)

    2016-07-13

    Scientific reason for data generation: to serve as the reference case for the BT16 volume 1 agricultural scenarios. The agricultural baseline runs from 2015 through 2040; a starting year of 2014 is used. Date the data set was last modified: 02/12/2016 How each parameter was produced (methods), format, and relationship to other data in the data set: simulation was developed without offering a farmgate price to energy crops or residues (i.e., building on both the USDA 2015 baseline and the agricultural census data (USDA NASS 2014). Data generated are .txt output files by year, simulation identifier, county code (1-3109). Instruments used: POLYSYS (version POLYS2015_V10_alt_JAN22B) supplied by the University of Tennessee APAC The quality assurance and quality control that have been applied: • Check for negative planted area, harvested area, production, yield and cost values. • Check if harvested area exceeds planted area for annuals. • Check FIPS codes.

  3. qDIET: toward an automated, self-sustaining knowledge base to facilitate linking point-of-sale grocery items to nutritional content

    PubMed Central

    Chidambaram, Valliammai; Brewster, Philip J.; Jordan, Kristine C.; Hurdle, John F.

    2013-01-01

    The United States, indeed the world, struggles with a serious obesity epidemic. The costs of this epidemic in terms of healthcare dollar expenditures and human morbidity/mortality are staggering. Surprisingly, clinicians are ill-equipped in general to advise patients on effective, longitudinal weight loss strategies. We argue that one factor hindering clinicians and patients in effective shared decision-making about weight loss is the absence of a metric that can be reasoned about and monitored over time, as clinicians do routinely with, say, serum lipid levels or HgA1C. We propose that a dietary quality measure championed by the USDA and NCI, the HEI-2005/2010, is an ideal metric for this purpose. We describe a new tool, the quality Dietary Information Extraction Tool (qDIET), which is a step toward an automated, self-sustaining process that can link retail grocery purchase data to the appropriate USDA databases to permit the calculation of the HEI-2005/2010. PMID:24551333

  4. qDIET: toward an automated, self-sustaining knowledge base to facilitate linking point-of-sale grocery items to nutritional content.

    PubMed

    Chidambaram, Valliammai; Brewster, Philip J; Jordan, Kristine C; Hurdle, John F

    2013-01-01

    The United States, indeed the world, struggles with a serious obesity epidemic. The costs of this epidemic in terms of healthcare dollar expenditures and human morbidity/mortality are staggering. Surprisingly, clinicians are ill-equipped in general to advise patients on effective, longitudinal weight loss strategies. We argue that one factor hindering clinicians and patients in effective shared decision-making about weight loss is the absence of a metric that can be reasoned about and monitored over time, as clinicians do routinely with, say, serum lipid levels or HgA1C. We propose that a dietary quality measure championed by the USDA and NCI, the HEI-2005/2010, is an ideal metric for this purpose. We describe a new tool, the quality Dietary Information Extraction Tool (qDIET), which is a step toward an automated, self-sustaining process that can link retail grocery purchase data to the appropriate USDA databases to permit the calculation of the HEI-2005/2010.

  5. Effect of Quality Grade and Storage Time on the Palatability, Physicochemical and Microbial Quality of Hanwoo Striploin Beef

    PubMed Central

    Yim, Dong-Gyun

    2015-01-01

    The effects of quality grade and storage time on physicochemical, sensory properties and microbial population of Hanwoo striploin beef were investigated. After a total of 30 Hanwoo beef were slaughtered, the cold carcasses were graded by official meat grader at 24 h postmortem. The carcasses were categorized into five groups (quality grade 1++, 1+, 1, 2, and 3) and were vacuum-packaged and stored. The samples were kept for 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22 and 25 d for analyses. As the quality grade was increased, moisture, protein and ash contents decreased (p<0.05). Higher quality grade corresponded with higher fat contents. The shear force values decreased with increasing quality grade and showed decreases sharply during the first 4 d (p<0.05). pH, water holding capacity, cooking loss, and volatile basic nitrogen for grade 1++ groups were lower than for grade 3 (p<0.05). CIE L* and b* values increased as increased quality grade (p<0.05). Meat color decreased until 13 d and fluctuated after 15 d of storage (p<0.05). Regarding the sensory scores, higher quality grade corresponded with higher juiciness, tenderness, flavor, fatty and palatability scores (p<0.05). Generally, increased storage time for 15 d improved sensory scores attributes. Results indicate that a high quality grade could positively influence physicochemical and sensory properties. PMID:26761865

  6. R2 Water Quality Portal Monitoring Stations

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    The Water Quality Data Portal (WQP) provides an easy way to access data stored in various large water quality databases. The WQP provides various input parameters on the form including location, site, sampling, and date parameters to filter and customize the returned results. The The Water Quality Portal (WQP) is a cooperative service sponsored by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Water Quality Monitoring Council (NWQMC) that integrates publicly available water quality data from the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) the EPA STOrage and RETrieval (STORET) Data Warehouse, and the USDA ARS Sustaining The Earth??s Watersheds - Agricultural Research Database System (STEWARDS).

  7. Sensitivity, Calibration, and Validation of SWAT in the Choptank River Basin

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The value of watershed-scale, water quality models to ecosystem management is increasingly evident as more programs adopt these tools to help assess the effectiveness of different management scenarios on the environment. The USDA-Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) is one such program whi...

  8. Environmental and production responses from tall fescue-endophyte associations in Georgia

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    This presentation reports on the 2011 activities from a long-term research experiment conducted at the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Watkinsville GA. Our general objective was to determine the dynamics of nutrient cycling, soil quality, and soil microbial biomass, activity, and community st...

  9. An in-house manual for building APEX projects using ArcAPEX

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The Agricultural Policy Environmental eXtender (APEX) provides the foundation for water quality and natural resource analysis across a wide array of USDA initiatives, projects and programs. The model has been utilized in both the national Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) analysis and ...

  10. New starch methodology to measure both soluble and insoluble starch

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Starch is a natural sugarcane juice impurity that greatly influences raw sugar quality and affects factory and refinery processing. Since the advent of the USDA Starch Research method, the mechanisms in which starch concentration and physical form affects sugar crop processing, conversion, and end-g...

  11. Trash particle distribution measurements in ginned cotton

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    A beltwide commercial cotton gin sampling project was initiated for the 2005-06 and 2006-07 ginning seasons to assess the changes in upland cotton quality during the ginning process and throughout the ginning season. The Cotton Trash Identification System (CTIS) developed at the USDA-ARS Southwester...

  12. 76 FR 44303 - De Soto Resource Advisory Committee

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-07-25

    ... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service De Soto Resource Advisory Committee AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of meeting. SUMMARY: The De Soto Resource Advisory Committee will meet in... ecosystems or restore and improve land health and water quality on the De Soto National Forest in Wayne and...

  13. Technology for Improving Production, Economic Efficiency, Quality, and Sustainability in Peanut Production and Handling

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    USDA ARS National Peanut Research Laboratory has a very diverse scientific staff conducting research to address the needs of the United States peanut industry. Research is conducted in the fields of mycology, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, breeding, agronomy, economics, and engineering....

  14. Technology for Improving Production, Economic Efficiency, Quality and Sustainability in Peanut Production and Handling

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    USDA ARS National Peanut Research Laboratory has a very diverse scientific staff conducting research to address the needs of the United States peanut industry. Research is conducted in the fields of mycology, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, breeding, agronomy, economics, and engineering....

  15. Technology for improving production, economic efficiency, quality, and sustainability in peanut production and handling

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    USDA ARS National Peanut Research Laboratory has a very diverse scientific staff conducting research to address the needs of the United States peanut industry. Research is conducted in the fields of mycology, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, breeding, agronomy, economics, and engineering....

  16. Sustaining the Earth's watersheds, agricultural research data system

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The USDA-ARS water resources program has developed a web-based data system, STEWARDS: Sustaining the Earth’s Watersheds, Agricultural Research Data System to support research that encompasses a broad range of topics such as water quality, hydrology, conservation, land use, and soils. The data syst...

  17. Effect of a nutritional reconditioning program for thin dairy cattle on body weight, carcass quality, and fecal pathogen shedding.

    PubMed

    Maier, Gabriele U; Hoar, Bruce R; Stull, Carolyn L; Kass, Philip H; Villanueva, Veronica; Maas, John

    2011-12-15

    To assess changes in body weight, carcass quality, and fecal pathogen shedding in cull dairy cows fed a high-energy ration for 28 or 56 days prior to slaughter. Randomized clinical trial. 31 adult Holstein dairy cows. Cows were randomly assigned to a control (immediate slaughter) group or a 28-day or 56-day feeding group. Cows in the feeding groups received a high-energy feed and were weighed every 7 days. Carcasses were evaluated by USDA employees. Fecal and blood samples were collected at the start and end of the feeding periods. Body condition score and adjusted preliminary yield grade were significantly increased in both feeding groups, compared with values for the control group; body weight, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, and ribeye area were significantly increased after 56 days, but not after 28 days, compared with values for the control group. Average daily gain and marbling score were significantly lower after feeding for 28 days versus after 56 days. Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 shedding in feces decreased from 14% to 5.6%, but this difference was not significant. Cows seropositive for antibodies against bovine leukemia virus that had signs of lymphoma and lame cows had a low average daily gain. Net loss was $71.32/cow and $112.80/cow for the 28-day and 56-day feeding groups, respectively. Feeding market dairy cows improved body condition and carcass quality. Cows seropositive for antibodies against bovine leukemia virus that have signs of lymphoma and lame cows might be poor candidates for reconditioning.

  18. Phase I Investigations at the Former CCC/USDA Grain Storage Facility in Montgomery City, Missouri, in 2010-2011

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    LaFreniere, Lorraine M.

    This report presents the technical findings of Phase I of Argonne’s studies. The Phase I field investigation was initiated on October 18, 2010. The work was conducted in accord with (1) the final site-specific Phase I Work Plan for Montgomery City (Argonne 2010; approved by the MDNR [2010]); (2) applicable Missouri regulations; and (3) the standard operating procedures, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) measures, and general health and safety policies outlined in the Master Work Plan (Argonne 2002) for operations in Kansas, which was reviewed by the MDNR and accepted for current use. A draft master plan specific to work inmore » Missouri and a set of draft standard operating procedures are in review with the MDNR. The site-specific Work Plan for Montgomery City (Argonne 2010) (1) summarizes the pre-existing knowledge base for the Montgomery City investigation site compiled by Argonne and (2) describes the site-specific technical objectives and the intended scope of work developed for the first phase of the investigation. Three primary technical objectives were identified for the Phase I studies, as follows: 1. Update the presently identified inventory and status of private and public drinking water wells in the immediate vicinity of the former CCC/USDA grain storage facility, and sample the identified wells for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and geochemical analyses. In conjunction with this effort, determine the present sources(s) of drinking water for all residents in an approximate 0.5-mi radius of the former CCC/USDA facility. 2. Investigate for possible evidence of a soil source of carbon tetrachloride contamination in the unconsolidated sediments beneath the former CCC/USDA facility that might affect the underlying bedrock aquifer units. 3. Obtain preliminary information on the site-specific lithologic and hydrologic characteristics of the unconsolidated sediments overlying bedrock at the former CCC/USDA grain storage location. Section 2 of this report describes the investigative methods used in the 2010-2011 studies and provides a chronological summary of the field events conducted. Section 3 presents a summary of the resulting field and laboratory data. These data, together with information presented in the site-specific Work Plan (Argonne 2010), are interpreted and integrated in Section 4 to (1) develop a preliminary conceptual model of the hydrogeologic framework affecting groundwater and potential contaminant migration in the vicinity of the former CCC/USDA facility and (2) serve as a basis for the initial consideration of contaminant levels and potential exposure pathways that might be of concern in the evaluation of risks to human health, public welfare, and the environment. The working conclusions drawn from the 2010-2011 studies are presented, along with recommendations, in Section 5.« less

  19. [Grades evaluation of Phellodendri chinensis cortex pieces based on quality constant].

    PubMed

    Deng, Zhe; Jiao, Meng-Jiao; Zhang, Jun; Zhang, Qing; Cui, Wen-Jin; Shen, Li; Cheng, Jin-Tang; Liu, An

    2017-09-01

    Quality constant is a comprehensive grades evaluation method for traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces, which is better but based on traditional way. In this paper, a new grading mode for Phellodendri chinensis pieces was established based on quality constant evaluation method. The results showed that the range of relative quality constant for 15 batches of different samples was from 0.41 to 0.96. As customary, if these samples were divided into three grades: the relative quality constant shall be ≥0.77 for first grade; <0.77 but ≥0.48 for the second grade; and ＜0.48 for the third grade. This research indicated that the quality constant mode can be used to effectively grade the P. chinensis pieces in a scientific, reasonable, objective and specific way. Simultaneously, it provided a beneficial reference for grading cortex herbal pieces or medicines. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

  20. Long-term Watershed Database for the Ridge and Valley Physiographic Province: Mahantango Creek Watershed, Pennsylvania, USA

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Understanding agricultural effects on water quality in rivers and estuaries requires understanding of hydrometeorology and geochemical cycling at various scales over time. The USDA-ARS initiated a hydrologic research program at the Mahantango Creek Watershed (MCW) in 1968, a research watershed at t...

  1. Association mapping of rice cold germination with the USDA mini-core

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Assuring stand establishment is a critical first step in optimizing rice crop yields. Plant stand density can impact yield potential, incidence of some diseases, weed competition, and grain quality. Most rice production in the Southern USA is drill seeded in the spring. Planting can occur as early a...

  2. 7 CFR 657.5 - Identification of important farmlands.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... the soil quality, growing season, and moisture supply needed to economically produce sustained high... frequently or are protected from flooding. Examples of soils that qualify as prime farmland are Palouse silt... section are defined in USDA publications: “Soil Taxonomy, Agriculture Handbook 436”; “Soil Survey Manual...

  3. 7 CFR 657.5 - Identification of important farmlands.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... the soil quality, growing season, and moisture supply needed to economically produce sustained high... frequently or are protected from flooding. Examples of soils that qualify as prime farmland are Palouse silt... section are defined in USDA publications: “Soil Taxonomy, Agriculture Handbook 436”; “Soil Survey Manual...

  4. 7 CFR 657.5 - Identification of important farmlands.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... the soil quality, growing season, and moisture supply needed to economically produce sustained high... frequently or are protected from flooding. Examples of soils that qualify as prime farmland are Palouse silt... section are defined in USDA publications: “Soil Taxonomy, Agriculture Handbook 436”; “Soil Survey Manual...

  5. 7 CFR 657.5 - Identification of important farmlands.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... the soil quality, growing season, and moisture supply needed to economically produce sustained high... frequently or are protected from flooding. Examples of soils that qualify as prime farmland are Palouse silt... section are defined in USDA publications: “Soil Taxonomy, Agriculture Handbook 436”; “Soil Survey Manual...

  6. 7 CFR 657.5 - Identification of important farmlands.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... the soil quality, growing season, and moisture supply needed to economically produce sustained high... frequently or are protected from flooding. Examples of soils that qualify as prime farmland are Palouse silt... section are defined in USDA publications: “Soil Taxonomy, Agriculture Handbook 436”; “Soil Survey Manual...

  7. Development of watershed hydrologic research at Santee Experimental Forest, coastal South Carolina

    Treesearch

    Devendra Amatya; Carl Trettin

    2007-01-01

    Managing forested wetland landscapes for water quality improvement and productivity requires a detailed understanding of functional linkages between ecohydrological processes and management practices. Watershed studies are being conducted at USDA Forest Service Santee Experimental Forest, South Carolina, to understand the fundamental hydrologic and biogeochemical...

  8. Comparison of SWAT Model Water Balance Calibration Using NEXRAD and Surface Rain Gauge Data

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The value of watershed-scale, water quality models to ecosystem management is increasingly evident as more programs adopt these tools to help assess the effectiveness of different management scenarios on the environment. The USDA-Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) is one such program whi...

  9. Comparison of Flow Calibration Using NEXRAD and Surface Rain Gauge Data in ArcSWAT

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The value of watershed-scale, water quality models to ecosystem management is increasingly evident as more programs adopt these tools to help assess the effectiveness of different management scenarios on the environment. The USDA-Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) is one such program whi...

  10. Fruit quality traits of ten California-grown pomegranate cultivars harvested over three months

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a deciduous tree crop. Its fruit are known to have relatively high concentrations of polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant properties. The USDA-ARS pomegranate germplasm collection maintains over 250 cultivars, but most have not been evaluated for optimal harvest...

  11. USDA/Regional Dairy Quality Management Alliance (RDQMA) - 2009 Report

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Each of three enrolled farms (Farms A, B, and C) receives quarterly farm visits from the project team in their state. At each visit, an online management survey is completed, environmental samples are collected, and blood samples are taken from all lactating cows. Individual fecal samples from lacta...

  12. Optical sensing technologies for rapid food safety and quality inspection

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Public concerns for food safety and foodborne illness have risen in recent years. There is a need to expand efforts to prevent and mitigate any food contamination that can potentially be harmful to human health. Researchers at the Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, ARS, USDA is one...

  13. 77 FR 17002 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Request-WIC Infant and...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-03-23

    ... rates. This study will also examine the circumstances and influences that shape a mother's feeding... of the methodology and assumptions that were used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and...) AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork...

  14. 76 FR 41192 - Mines Management Inc. Montanore Project, Kootenai National Forest, Lincoln County, MT

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-07-13

    ... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Mines Management Inc. Montanore Project, Kootenai... can be reviewed at: http://www.fs.fed.usda.gov/goto/kootenai/projects . Mines Management Inc. owns two... of Environmental Quality, issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Montanore Project. In...

  15. 7 CFR 58.813 - Dry whey.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Dry whey. 58.813 Section 58.813 Agriculture... Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.813 Dry whey. The quality requirements for dry whey shall be in accordance with the U.S. Standards for Dry Whey. Supplemental Specifications for Plants...

  16. 7 CFR 170.12 - What are the selection criteria for participation in the USDA Farmers Market?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... referred to the Internal Revenue Service or a tax advisor. Receipts for donated foods may be obtained from... Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Standards, Inspections, Marketing Practices... Farmers Market? The selection criteria are designed to ensure a consistently high level of quality and...

  17. Funtionality of Sucralose/Maltodextrin: Isomalt blends in Oatmeal Cookies

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Functionality of Sucralose/Maltodextrin:Isomalt blends in Oatmeal Cookies Ruthann B. Swanson1, Rebecca McKemie1, Elizabeth M. Savage2 and Hong Zhuang2 1University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30605; 2ARS-USDA, Athens, GA 30605 Availability of reduced-in-sugar baked products with quality characteristics...

  18. Air quality and composite wood products

    Treesearch

    Melissa G. D. Baumann

    1999-01-01

    Research at the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) is being conducted to identify the compounds emitted from wood products during their manufacture and subsequent use. The FPL researchers are measuring the types and quantities of VOCs that are emitted from particleboard and MDF products to provide quantitative emissions information. This information...

  19. 77 FR 43234 - Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-07-24

    ... Agriculture (USDA), and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), are sponsoring a public meeting on August 30... Session of the CCFFV Contact: Dorian Lafond, Agricultural Marketing Service, Fruits and Vegetables... United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards in...

  20. Classifying cotton bark and grass extraneous matter using image analysis

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Cotton extraneous matter (EM) and special conditions are the only cotton quality attributes still determined manually by USDA-AMS classers. To develop a machine EM classing system, a better understanding of what triggers a classer EM call is needed. The goal of this work was to develop new informati...

  1. 75 FR 45091 - Notice of Request for Nominations to the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-08-02

    ... minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. USDA prohibits discrimination in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Additionally, discrimination on the basis of political beliefs and marital or family status is...

  2. DEVELOPMENT OF DURATION-CURVE BASED METHODS FOR QUALIFYING VARIABILITY AND CHANGE IN WATERSHED HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY

    EPA Science Inventory

    During the past decades, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other Federal program administrative and regulatory agencies spent considerable amounts of time and money to manage risks to surface waters associated with agricultural ...

  3. 75 FR 41693 - Export Inspection and Weighing Waiver for High Quality Specialty Grains Transported in Containers

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-07-19

    ... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration 7 CFR Part 800... Agriculture's (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is issuing an interim... and individual elevator operators shipping less than 15,000 metric tons during the current and...

  4. Validation testing of a portable kit for measuring an active soil carbon fraction

    EPA Science Inventory

    Increasing demands exist for information about properties related to soil quality and human-induced soil change, particularly soil C. To help address this need, the USDA-NRCS Soil Survey Laboratory (SSL) developed a portable kit for rapid and relatively accurate assessment of soi...

  5. Battle of the starches: Insoluble versus soluble at the refinery

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    A study using the USDA starch research method has been conducted to evaluate the effects of total, insoluble, and soluble starch on raw sugar filterability and viscosity in international carbonatation refineries. Raw sugar qualities, i.e., pol, color, % invert, ash, and dextran, were also studied in...

  6. The National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program: A decade of progress

    PubMed Central

    Haytowitz, David B.; Pehrsson, Pamela R.; Holden, Joanne M.

    2009-01-01

    The National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP) was designed to expand the quantity and improve the quality of data in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food composition databases through the collection and analysis of nationally representative samples of foods and beverages. This paper describes some of the findings from the NFNAP and its impact on the food composition databases produced by USDA. The NFNAP employs statistically valid sampling plans, comprehensive quality control, and USDA analytical oversight as part of the program to generate new and updated analytical data for food components. USDA food consumption and composition data were used to target those foods that are major contributors of nutrients of public health significance to the U.S. diet (454 Key Foods). Foods were ranked using a scoring system, divided into quartiles, and reviewed to determine the impact of changes in their composition compared to historical values. Foods were purchased from several types of locations, such as retail outlets and fast food restaurants in different geographic areas as determined by the sampling plan, then composited and sent for analysis to commercial laboratories and cooperators, along with quality control materials. Comparisons were made to assess differences between new NFNAP means generated from original analytical data and historical means. Recently generated results for nationally representative food samples show marked changes compared to database values for selected nutrients from unknown or non-representative sampling. A number of changes were observed in many high consumption foods, e.g. the vitamin A value for cooked carrots decreased from 1,225 to 860 RAE/100g; the fat value for fast food French fried potatoes increased by 13% (14.08 to 17.06 g/100g). Trans fatty acids in margarine have decreased as companies reformulate their products in response to the required addition of trans fatty acids content on the nutrition label. Values decreased from 19.7 g/100 in 2002 to 14.8 g/100 in 2006 for 80%-fat stick margarines and to 4.52 g/100 g for 80%-fat tub margarines. These changes reflect improved strategies for sampling and analysis of representative food samples, which enhance the reliability of nutrient estimates for Key Foods and subsequent assessments of nutrient intake. PMID:19578546

  7. Comparison of palatability characteristics of beef gluteus medius and triceps brachii muscles.

    PubMed

    King, D A; Wheeler, T L; Shackelford, S D; Koohmaraie, M

    2009-01-01

    The objective of this experiment was to evaluate triceps brachii steaks as a substitute for gluteus medius steaks in foodservice and retail applications, including the effect of aging time and USDA quality grade on the palatability of both muscles. Top sirloin butts (n = 600) and shoulder clod arm roasts (n = 600) representing US Choice and US Select quality grades were selected at 48 h postmortem and aged for 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, or 42 d. Steaks were evaluated using a trained sensory panel, slice shear force, sarcomere length, and Western blotting of desmin measurements. Sarcomere length was measured only on steaks at 14 and 42 d. Triceps brachii and gluteus medius steaks were similar in tenderness rating at 7 and 14 d, but triceps brachii steaks aged longer were more tender (P < 0.05) than were gluteus medius steaks. Triceps brachii steaks reached ultimate tenderness values by 21 d. Gluteus medius steak tenderness ratings improved through 35 d, and at 42 d were similar to those given to triceps brachii steaks at 21 d. Sarcomere lengths were longer (P < 0.05) in triceps brachii than in gluteus medius (2.09 and 1.58 mum, respectively). Significant increases in desmin degradation were detected through 42 d in both muscles (30.9, 46.3, 50.6, 51.0, 57.6, and 64.1% at d 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 for gluteus medius and 28.9, 40.8, 49.3, 59.2, 61.8, and 71.9% at d 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 for triceps brachii). At 14 d, gluteus medius had more (P < 0.05) desmin degraded than triceps brachii, but by 28 d, desmin degradation was greater (P < 0.05) in triceps brachii. Quality grade had minimal effects on palatability traits. Desmin degradation contributed to gluteus medius tenderness variation (r = 0.36) across all aging times, but not at individual aging times. Sarcomere length contributed to variation in slice shear force values of gluteus medius at 14 and 42 d (r = -0.59 and -0.48, respectively). Sarcomere length contributed to triceps brachii tenderness variation at 14 d, but not 42 d (r = 0.44 and -0.12, respectively). Desmin degradation was strongly correlated (r = 0.55) to triceps brachii tenderness ratings pooled across aging times but not at individual aging times. These data indicate that triceps brachii steaks could provide the same or improved palatability as gluteus medius steaks at the same or slightly shorter aging times.

  8. An ecological study of food desert prevalence and 4th grade academic achievement in new york state school districts.

    PubMed

    Frndak, Seth E

    2014-12-02

    This ecological study examines the relationship between food desert prevalence and academic achievement at the school district level. Sample included 232 suburban and urban school districts in New York State. Multiple open-source databases were merged to obtain: 4(th) grade science, English and math scores, school district demographic composition (NYS Report Card), regional socioeconomic indicators (American Community Survey), school district quality (US Common Core of Data), and food desert data (USDA Food Desert Atlas). Multiple regression models assessed the percentage of variation in achievement scores explained by food desert variables, after controlling for additional predictors. The proportion of individuals living in food deserts significantly explained 4th grade achievement scores, after accounting for additional predictors. School districts with higher proportions of individuals living in food desert regions demonstrated lower 4th grade achievement across science, English and math. Food deserts appear to be related to academic achievement at the school district level among urban and suburban regions. Further research is needed to better understand how food access is associated with academic achievement at the individual level. Significance for public healthThe prevalence of food deserts in the United States is of national concern. As poor nutrition in United States children continues to spark debate, food deserts are being evaluated as potential sources of low fruit and vegetable intake and high obesity rates. Cognitive development and IQ have been linked to nutrition patterns, suggesting that children in food desert regions may have a disadvantage academically. This research evaluates if an ecological relationship between food desert prevalence and academic achievement at the school district level can be demonstrated. Results suggest that food desert prevalence may relate to poor academic performance at the school district level. Significant variation in academic achievement among urban and suburban school districts is explained by food desert prevalence, above additional predictors. This research lays the groundwork for future studies at the individual level, with possible implications for community interventions in school districts containing food desert regions.

  9. [Application of relative quality constant in grades evaluation of Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizome pieces].

    PubMed

    Deng, Zhe; Jiao, Meng-Jiao; Zhang, Jun; Xian, Jing; Zhang, Qing; Chen, Chang; Wang, Yue-Sheng; Liu, An

    2017-07-01

    Quality constant evaluation is a comprehensive method for grades evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine pieces, but when it comes to Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizome pieces, grades evaluation is diverged due to significant difference in contents of liquiritin and glycyrrhizic acid and unreasonable weight of index. To solve this problem, we have established a relative quality constant method in this paper to evaluate grades of Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizome pieces. Twenty-nine batches of different quality samples were collected and tested, and finally, 17 batches of them were chosen as researcher objects. The results revealed that the range of the relative quality constant of these samples was from 1.78 to 11.49. When Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizome pieces are divided into three grades: the relative quality constant of first grade is greater than or equal to 9.19; the second grade is greater than or equal to 5.75 but less than 9.19; while the third grade is less than 5.75. This research indicates that relative quality constant can divide the grades of herbal pieces in a scientific, reasonable, objective and specific way and remedy the shortage of quality constant perfectly. It provides a novel mode for grading pieces of Chinese medicine that contains multi-target ingredients. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

  10. [Grades evaluation of Scutellariae Radix slices based on quality constant].

    PubMed

    Deng, Zhe; Zhang, Jun; Jiao, Meng-Jiao; Zhong, Wen; Cui, Wen-Jin; Cheng, Jin-Tang; Chen, Sha; Wang, Yue-Sheng; Liu, An

    2017-05-01

    By measuring the morphological indexes and the marker components content of 22 batches of Scutellariae Radix slices as well as calculating the quality constant, this research was aimed to establish a new method of evaluating the specifications and grades of Scutellariae Radix slices. The quality constants of these samples were in the range of 0.04-0.49, which can be divided into several grades based on the real requirement. If they were divided into three grades, the quality constant was ≥0.39 for the first grade, <0.39 but ≥0.24 for the second grade, and <0.24 for the third grade. This work indicated that the quality constants characterizing both apparent parameters and intrinsic quality can be used as a comprehensive evaluation index to classify the grades of traditional Chinese medicine quantitatively, clearly and objectively. The research results in this paper would provide new ideas and references for evaluating the specifications and grades of traditional Chinese medicines. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

  11. Registration of USDA-UTWH-102 winter hardy orchardgrass germplasm

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The USDA-ARS announces the release of USDA-UTWG-102 orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) (Reg. No., PI) germplasm. USDA-UTWH-102 possesses increased winter hardiness and provides utility to applied orchardgrass breeding and genetic programs. USDA-UTWH-102 is a 24 clone synthetic derived from orchard...

  12. 7 CFR 989.702 - Minimum grade standards for packed raisins.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... RAISINS PRODUCED FROM GRAPES GROWN IN CALIFORNIA Quality Control § 989.702 Minimum grade standards for... washed with water to assure a wholesome product. (2) Grades. (i) Marketing Order Grade A is a quality of... paragraph. (ii) Marketing Order Grade B is the quality of the Cluster Seedless raisins that have similar...

  13. An integrated modeling approach for estimating the water quality benefits of conservation practices at the river basin scale

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The USDA initiated the Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) to quantify the environmental benefits of conservation practices at regional and national scales. For this assessment, a sampling and modeling approach is used. This paper provides a technical overview of the modeling approach use...

  14. Screening a diverse soybean germplasm collection for reaction to purple seed stain caused by Cercospora kikuchii

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Purple seed stain (PSS), caused by Cercospora kikuchii, is a prevalent soybean disease that causes latent seed infection, seed decay, purple seed discoloration, and overall quality deterioration. The objective of this research was to screen soybean accessions from the USDA germplasm collection for r...

  15. 78 FR 14961 - Notice of Request for Collection of Public Information With the Use of a Survey

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-03-08

    ... account information. To facilitate CSC's mission and in an effort to continuously improve service delivery... Information With the Use of a Survey AGENCY: Rural Development, USDA. ACTION: Proposed collection; comments... Development's intention to request clearance for continuation of information collection to measure the quality...

  16. Registration of ‘Ok102’ Wheat

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    ‘Ok102’ (Reg. no. CV-941, PI 632635) is a hard red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) developed cooperatively by the Oklahoma Agric. Exp. Stn. and the USDA-ARS. Ok102 was released in March 2002, primarily on the basis of its resistance to several foliar diseases, excellent milling quality, and desi...

  17. Relationship between Raw Breast Meat Color Lightness Values and Functionalities or Broiler Fillets Deboned Six to Eight Hours Postmortem

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Relationship between Raw Breast Meat Color Lightness Values and Functionalities of Broiler Fillets Deboned Six to Eight Hours Postmortem H. Zhuang and E. M. Savage Quality Assessment Research Unit, USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Russell Research Center, P. O. Box 5677, Athens, Georgia 30604-56...

  18. Fifty years of forest hydrology in the Southeast

    Treesearch

    C. Rhett Jackson; Ge Sun; Devendra Amatya; Wayne T. Swank; Mark Riedel; Jim Patric; Tom Williams; Jim M. Vose; Carl Trettin; W. Michael Aust; R. Scott Beasley; Hamlin Williston; George G. Ice

    2004-01-01

    The forests of the southeastern United States are incredibly valuable and diverse, both for timber production and for the aquatic habitat they provide. These overlapping values and diverse conditions have spawned numerous studies to assess how forest management affects hydrology and water quality. In the mountains, key watershed studies include those conducted at USDA...

  19. 77 FR 24164 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-04-23

    ... assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d... Nutrition Service Title: School Foodservice Indirect Cost Study. OMB Control Number: 0584-NEW. Summary of Collection: The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-296), requires USDA to conduct a study to...

  20. Use of scanning electron microscopy in the speciation of Gliocephalotrichum spp. in rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.)

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Rambutan is a tropical tree fruit crop native to Malaysia. Worldwide, fruit rot is a limiting factor for fruit quality. In 2011, fruit rot was observed on rambutan at the USDA-ARS Tropical Agricultural Station in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and was attributed to Gliocephalotrichum spp. Light microscopy (...

  1. 75 FR 1585 - Notice of Request for Collection of Public Information With the Use of a Survey

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-01-12

    ... call center and is able to provide borrowers with convenient access to their loan account information... Information With the Use of a Survey AGENCY: Rural Development, USDA. ACTION: Proposed collection; comments... Development's intention to request clearance for continuation of information collection to measure the quality...

  2. From chemicals to cold plasma: Non-thermal food processing technologies research at the USDA's Eastern Regional Research Center

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Foodborne pathogens cause millions of illnesses every year. At the US Department of Agriculture’s Eastern Regional Research Center, scientists and engineers have focused on developing new ways to improve food safety and shelf life while retaining quality and nutritional value. A variety of technolog...

  3. The potential of novel infrared food processing technologies: case studies of those developed at the USDA-ARS

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Infrared (IR) radiation heating has been considered as an alternative to current food and agricultural processing methods for improving product quality and safety, increasing energy and processing efficiency, and reducing water and chemical usage. As part of the electromagnetic spectrum, IR has the ...

  4. 75 FR 80037 - Tobacco Report: Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-12-21

    ..., quality, and condition of such products in various positions in the marketing channel, utilization of sub... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Doc. No. AMS-CN-10-0110; CN-10-007...: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: In accordance with the...

  5. Effect of potassium fertilizer application on the yield and quality of current sugarcane varieties in Louisiana

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    For many sugarcane producers in Louisiana the only fertilizer that is routinely applied to their crop is nitrogen that is side-dressed in the spring. This is due, primarily to the high cost of potassium and phosphorus fertilizers. Recent cooperative research conducted between the USDA/ARS Sugarcane ...

  6. Results of rainfall simulation to estimate sediment-bound carbon and nitrogen loss from an Atlantic Coastal Plain (USDA) ultisol

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The impact of erosion on soil and carbon loss and redistribution within landscapes is an important component for developing estimates of carbon sequestration potential, management plans to maintain soil quality, and transport of sediment bound agrochemicals. Soils of the Southeastern U.S. Coastal Pl...

  7. Soil health research in the Goodwater Creek Experimental Watershed Long-Term Agroecosystem Research site

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The Goodwater Creek Experimental Watershed (GCEW) is located in the Central Claypan Region in NE Missouri. Within GCEW, a field and plot research site has been operated by the USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit since 1991. The GCEW site joined t...

  8. Enabling next-gen sequencing and analysis at the USDA-ARS U.S. Meat Animal Research Center with MiniLIMS

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    There is a growing need to combine DNA sequencing technologies to address complex problems in genome biology. These genomic studies routinely generate voluminous image, sequence, and mapping files that should be associated with quality control information (gels, spectra, etc.), and other important ...

  9. The Case for Ecoregion Rather than Regional Extension Water Education

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mahler, Robert. L.

    2009-01-01

    In 2000 the National Water Quality program (USDA-CSREES) was refocused to provide water resources education to citizens on a regional basis. The Pacific Northwest--consisting of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington--comprises one of these regions. Even though the Pacific Northwest appears to be a relatively homogeneous region, there are large…

  10. Urban Forest Health Monitoring in the United States

    Treesearch

    David J. Nowak; Robert Hoehn; Jeffrey T. Walton; Daniel E. Crane; Jack C. Stevens; Daniel Twardus; Anne Cumming; Manfred Mielke; Bill Smith

    2006-01-01

    Trees in cities can contribute significantly to human health and environmental quality. Unfortunately, little is known about the urban forest resource and what it contributes to the local, regional, and national societal and economic interests. To help better understand the urban forest resource and its numerous values, the USDA Forest Service has initiated a pilot...

  11. 7 CFR 170.12 - What are the selection criteria for participation in the USDA Farmers Market?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... the USDA Farmers Market? 170.12 Section 170.12 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of... OF 1946 USDA FARMERS MARKET § 170.12 What are the selection criteria for participation in the USDA.... Participants should commit to supporting the USDA food gleaning/food recovery initiative. This commitment...

  12. 7 CFR 170.12 - What are the selection criteria for participation in the USDA Farmers Market?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... the USDA Farmers Market? 170.12 Section 170.12 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of... OF 1946 USDA FARMERS MARKET § 170.12 What are the selection criteria for participation in the USDA.... Participants should commit to supporting the USDA food gleaning/food recovery initiative. This commitment...

  13. 7 CFR 170.12 - What are the selection criteria for participation in the USDA Farmers Market?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... the USDA Farmers Market? 170.12 Section 170.12 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of... OF 1946 USDA FARMERS MARKET § 170.12 What are the selection criteria for participation in the USDA.... Participants should commit to supporting the USDA food gleaning/food recovery initiative. This commitment...

  14. Effects of increasing inclusion of sodium hydroxide treatment on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and feeding behavior of steers fed 50% DDGS.

    PubMed

    Freitas, T B; Relling, A E; Pedreira, M S; Rocha, W J B; Schroeder, A R; Felix, T L

    2017-01-01

    Objectives were to determine the dietary inclusion level of NaOH in a dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS)-based diet needed to improve growth performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers, and to determine the effects of NaOH treatment of DDGS on pattern of feed intake. Based on previous research regarding the acidity of DDGS, we hypothesized that using NaOH in cattle fed 50% DDGS-based diets to neutralize the acidity inherent in DDGS would improve growth performance of cattle but shift intake patterns. Angus-cross steers (120 total) were blocked into 2 BW blocks (light, initial BW = 211 ± 27 kg; and heavy, initial BW = 261 ± 27 kg) and allotted randomly within block to 20 pens (6 steers per pen; = 30). Pens within block were assigned randomly to 1 of 4 dietary treatments: 1) 50% DDGS, untreated; 2) 50% DDGS, treated with 0.5% NaOH (DM basis); 3) 50% DDGS, treated with 1.0% NaOH (DM basis); or 4) 50% DDGS, treated with 1.5% NaOH (DM basis). The remainder of the diets contained 20% dry-rolled corn, 20% corn silage, and 10% mineral and vitamin supplement, on a DM basis. Cattle were fed in a GrowSafe system. There were no effects ( ≥ 0.21) of increasing NaOH inclusion on final BW, ADG, or G:F. Increasing NaOH in the diet increased meal duration (linear; = 0.02) and tended to increase meal size (linear; = 0.06), but did not affect overall number of meals per day (linear; = 0.21) or overall DMI ( ≥ 0.40) for the course of the trial. Relative to cattle fed DDGS treated with 0, 0.5 or 1% NaOH (DM basis), steers fed DDGS treated with 1.5% NaOH consumed a larger proportion of their meals in the afternoon. However, regardless of treatment, all steers consumed 78% or more of their feed in the first 12 h post-feeding. There were no effects ( ≥ 0.19) of increasing NaOH inclusion on HCW, LM area, dressing percentage, KPH, back fat thickness, and marbling. There was a linear ( = 0.02) decrease in USDA Yield Grade (YG) 3 and a tendency ( = 0.09) for a quadratic response in carcasses grading USDA YG 4 as NaOH concentration increased in the diets; however, there were no other YG differences. The quality grade response followed marbling score and was not different ( ≥ 0.11) among treatments. Thus, there were no effects of feeding DDGS treated with NaOH on growing cattle performance or carcass characteristics. However, NaOH inclusion shifted the pattern of intake slightly to the afternoon hours, and increased meal duration without increasing the total number of meals per day.

  15. The efficacy and progress in using radiation as a quarantine treatment of tropical fruits—a case study in Hawaii

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moy, James H.; Wong, Lyle

    2002-03-01

    Most tropical fruits for export must be treated with an approved quarantine treatment. Three and a half decades of research have demonstrated the efficacy of irradiation as a quarantine treatment in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, and product quality retention. The USFDA and the USDA-APHIS approved irradiation to disinfest fresh foods/fresh papayas in 1986 and 1989, respectively. In early 1995, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture was granted a special permit from USDA-APHIS allowing untreated Hawaiian fruits to be irradiated on the US mainland. The objectives were to gain experience in commercial irradiation as a quarantine treatment and to gather data on shipping and handling procedures, and on product quality. In April 1995, the first shipment of Hawaiian fruit was irradiated at a minimum quarantine dose of 0.25 kGy in an Isomedix plant near Chicago, and then distributed to supermarkets in Illinois and Ohio. Continuous shipments, irradiation, and marketing of various tropical fruits in the US have shown commercial efficacy, quality retention, and excellent consumer acceptance. A commercial e-beam/converted X-ray facility was installed by Titan Corp. on the Island of Hawaii and was operational by late July 2000. Hawaii has become the first place in the world to use irradiation as a quarantine treatment of fruits.

  16. 2 CFR 417.221 - How would the exclusions from coverage for the USDA's foreign assistance programs apply?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... the USDA's foreign assistance programs apply? 417.221 Section 417.221 Grants and Agreements Federal... SUSPENSION Covered Transactions § 417.221 How would the exclusions from coverage for the USDA's foreign... into between USDA and a program participant, such as a U.S. private voluntary organization. USDA would...

  17. 7 CFR 170.4 - Who may participate in the USDA Farmers Market?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Who may participate in the USDA Farmers Market? 170.4... MARKETING PRACTICES UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL MARKETING ACT OF 1946 USDA FARMERS MARKET § 170.4 Who may participate in the USDA Farmers Market? Members of three groups may participate in the USDA Farmers Markets...

  18. 7 CFR 170.11 - How are farmers and vendors selected for participation in the USDA Farmers Market?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... in the USDA Farmers Market? 170.11 Section 170.11 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of... OF 1946 USDA FARMERS MARKET § 170.11 How are farmers and vendors selected for participation in the USDA Farmers Market? USDA reviews all applications and selects participants based primarily on the type...

  19. 2 CFR 417.221 - How would the exclusions from coverage for the USDA's foreign assistance programs apply?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... the USDA's foreign assistance programs apply? 417.221 Section 417.221 Grants and Agreements Federal... SUSPENSION Covered Transactions § 417.221 How would the exclusions from coverage for the USDA's foreign... into between USDA and a program participant, such as a U.S. private voluntary organization. USDA would...

  20. 2 CFR 417.221 - How would the exclusions from coverage for the USDA's foreign assistance programs apply?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... the USDA's foreign assistance programs apply? 417.221 Section 417.221 Grants and Agreements Federal... SUSPENSION Covered Transactions § 417.221 How would the exclusions from coverage for the USDA's foreign... into between USDA and a program participant, such as a U.S. private voluntary organization. USDA would...

  1. 7 CFR 170.4 - Who may participate in the USDA Farmers Market?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Who may participate in the USDA Farmers Market? 170.4... MARKETING PRACTICES UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL MARKETING ACT OF 1946 USDA FARMERS MARKET § 170.4 Who may participate in the USDA Farmers Market? Members of three groups may participate in the USDA Farmers Markets...

  2. 7 CFR 170.11 - How are farmers and vendors selected for participation in the USDA Farmers Market?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... in the USDA Farmers Market? 170.11 Section 170.11 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of... OF 1946 USDA FARMERS MARKET § 170.11 How are farmers and vendors selected for participation in the USDA Farmers Market? USDA reviews all applications and selects participants based primarily on the type...

  3. 7 CFR 170.11 - How are farmers and vendors selected for participation in the USDA Farmers Market?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... in the USDA Farmers Market? 170.11 Section 170.11 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of... OF 1946 USDA FARMERS MARKET § 170.11 How are farmers and vendors selected for participation in the USDA Farmers Market? USDA reviews all applications and selects participants based primarily on the type...

  4. 2 CFR 417.221 - How would the exclusions from coverage for the USDA's foreign assistance programs apply?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... the USDA's foreign assistance programs apply? 417.221 Section 417.221 Grants and Agreements Federal... SUSPENSION Covered Transactions § 417.221 How would the exclusions from coverage for the USDA's foreign... into between USDA and a program participant, such as a U.S. private voluntary organization. USDA would...

  5. 7 CFR 170.4 - Who may participate in the USDA Farmers Market?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Who may participate in the USDA Farmers Market? 170.4... MARKETING PRACTICES UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL MARKETING ACT OF 1946 USDA FARMERS MARKET § 170.4 Who may participate in the USDA Farmers Market? Members of three groups may participate in the USDA Farmers Markets...

  6. 7 CFR 170.4 - Who may participate in the USDA Farmers Market?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Who may participate in the USDA Farmers Market? 170.4... MARKETING PRACTICES UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL MARKETING ACT OF 1946 USDA FARMERS MARKET § 170.4 Who may participate in the USDA Farmers Market? Members of three groups may participate in the USDA Farmers Markets...

  7. 76 FR 66601 - Revision of Delegations of Authority

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-10-27

    ... specific laws and regulations, and excluding the Official USDA Seal and Official USDA Symbol. DATES: This... USDA Seal and Official USDA Symbol. * * * * * Signed in Washington, DC, on October 21, 2011. Thomas J...

  8. USDA snack food and beverage standards: how big of a stretch for the states?

    PubMed

    Chriqui, Jamie F; Piekarz, Elizabeth; Chaloupka, Frank J

    2014-06-01

    The USDA snack food and beverage standards take effect in school year (SY) 2014-2015. Although the USDA standards will provide nationwide requirements, concerns exist about compliance. This study examined whether existing state laws are aligned with the USDA standards to determine whether some states may be better positioned to facilitate compliance. Codified state statutory and regulatory laws effective for SY 2012-2013 for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia were identified through Boolean keyword searches using the Westlaw and LexisNexis databases. Laws were analyzed for alignment with 18 snack food and beverage provisions contained within the USDA standards. Thirty-eight states had snack food and beverage standards; 33 states' laws exceeded restrictions on foods of minimal nutritional value. Of the 33 states, no states' laws fully met the USDA's standards, 16 states' laws fully met and 10 states' laws partially met at least one USDA provision, and seven states' laws met no USDA provisions. One state's law met 9 of 18 provisions. On average, states met 4 of 18 provisions. States were more likely to meet individual USDA beverage than snack provisions. Implementation and compliance with the USDA standards may be facilitated in states with laws already containing provisions aligned with the USDA standards and may be more difficult in states with fewer or no provisions in alignment, suggesting possible geographic areas for the USDA to target with technical assistance and training efforts and for advocates to work in to facilitate compliance.

  9. 7 CFR 3.79 - Review of USDA records related to the debt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Review of USDA records related to the debt. 3.79....79 Review of USDA records related to the debt. (a) Notification by employee. An employee who intends to inspect or copy USDA records related to the debt must send a letter to USDA stating his or her...

  10. 7 CFR 3.79 - Review of USDA records related to the debt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Review of USDA records related to the debt. 3.79....79 Review of USDA records related to the debt. (a) Notification by employee. An employee who intends to inspect or copy USDA records related to the debt must send a letter to USDA stating his or her...

  11. 7 CFR 15f.2 - Who may use these procedures for processing their discrimination complaint with USDA?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... discrimination complaint with USDA? 15f.2 Section 15f.2 Agriculture Office of the Secretary of Agriculture... USDA? A person may use these procedures if he or she filed a nonemployment related discrimination complaint with USDA prior to July 1, 1997, that alleged discrimination by USDA at any time during the period...

  12. 7 CFR 15f.2 - Who may use these procedures for processing their discrimination complaint with USDA?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... discrimination complaint with USDA? 15f.2 Section 15f.2 Agriculture Office of the Secretary of Agriculture... USDA? A person may use these procedures if he or she filed a nonemployment related discrimination complaint with USDA prior to July 1, 1997, that alleged discrimination by USDA at any time during the period...

  13. 7 CFR 3.79 - Review of USDA records related to the debt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Review of USDA records related to the debt. 3.79....79 Review of USDA records related to the debt. (a) Notification by employee. An employee who intends to inspect or copy USDA records related to the debt must send a letter to USDA stating his or her...

  14. 7 CFR 3.79 - Review of USDA records related to the debt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Review of USDA records related to the debt. 3.79....79 Review of USDA records related to the debt. (a) Notification by employee. An employee who intends to inspect or copy USDA records related to the debt must send a letter to USDA stating his or her...

  15. 7 CFR 15f.2 - Who may use these procedures for processing their discrimination complaint with USDA?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... discrimination complaint with USDA? 15f.2 Section 15f.2 Agriculture Office of the Secretary of Agriculture... USDA? A person may use these procedures if he or she filed a nonemployment related discrimination complaint with USDA prior to July 1, 1997, that alleged discrimination by USDA at any time during the period...

  16. 7 CFR 15f.2 - Who may use these procedures for processing their discrimination complaint with USDA?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... discrimination complaint with USDA? 15f.2 Section 15f.2 Agriculture Office of the Secretary of Agriculture... USDA? A person may use these procedures if he or she filed a nonemployment related discrimination complaint with USDA prior to July 1, 1997, that alleged discrimination by USDA at any time during the period...

  17. 7 CFR 3.79 - Review of USDA records related to the debt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Review of USDA records related to the debt. 3.79....79 Review of USDA records related to the debt. (a) Notification by employee. An employee who intends to inspect or copy USDA records related to the debt must send a letter to USDA stating his or her...

  18. 7 CFR 15f.2 - Who may use these procedures for processing their discrimination complaint with USDA?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... discrimination complaint with USDA? 15f.2 Section 15f.2 Agriculture Office of the Secretary of Agriculture... USDA? A person may use these procedures if he or she filed a nonemployment related discrimination complaint with USDA prior to July 1, 1997, that alleged discrimination by USDA at any time during the period...

  19. Effect of Flooding and the nosZ Gene in Bradyrhizobia on Bradyrhizobial Community Structure in the Soil.

    PubMed

    Saeki, Yuichi; Nakamura, Misato; Mason, Maria Luisa T; Yano, Tsubasa; Shiro, Sokichi; Sameshima-Saito, Reiko; Itakura, Manabu; Minamisawa, Kiwamu; Yamamoto, Akihiro

    2017-06-24

    We investigated the effects of the water status (flooded or non-flooded) and presence of the nosZ gene in bradyrhizobia on the bradyrhizobial community structure in a factorial experiment that examined three temperature levels (20°C, 25°C, and 30°C) and two soil types (andosol and gray lowland soil) using microcosm incubations. All microcosms were inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA6 T , B. japonicum USDA123, and B. elkanii USDA76 T , which do not possess the nosZ gene, and then half received B. diazoefficiens USDA110 T wt (wt for the wild-type) and the other half received B. diazoefficiens USDA110ΔnosZ. USDA110 T wt possesses the nosZ gene, which encodes N 2 O reductase; 110ΔnosZ, a mutant variant, does not. Changes in the community structure after 30- and 60-d incubations were investigated by denaturing-gradient gel electrophoresis and an image analysis. USDA6 T and 76 T strains slightly increased in non-flooded soil regardless of which USDA110 T strain was present. In flooded microcosms with the USDA110 T wt strain, USDA110 T wt became dominant, whereas in microcosms with the USDA110ΔnosZ, a similar change in the community structure occurred to that in non-flooded microcosms. These results suggest that possession of the nosZ gene confers a competitive advantage to B. diazoefficiens USDA110 T in flooded soil. We herein demonstrated that the dominance of B. diazoefficiens USDA110 T wt within the soil bradyrhizobial population may be enhanced by periods of flooding or waterlogging systems such as paddy-soybean rotations because it appears to have the ability to thrive in moderately anaerobic soil.

  20. Study on a pattern classification method of soil quality based on simplified learning sample dataset

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Zhang, Jiahua; Liu, S.; Hu, Y.; Tian, Y.

    2011-01-01

    Based on the massive soil information in current soil quality grade evaluation, this paper constructed an intelligent classification approach of soil quality grade depending on classical sampling techniques and disordered multiclassification Logistic regression model. As a case study to determine the learning sample capacity under certain confidence level and estimation accuracy, and use c-means algorithm to automatically extract the simplified learning sample dataset from the cultivated soil quality grade evaluation database for the study area, Long chuan county in Guangdong province, a disordered Logistic classifier model was then built and the calculation analysis steps of soil quality grade intelligent classification were given. The result indicated that the soil quality grade can be effectively learned and predicted by the extracted simplified dataset through this method, which changed the traditional method for soil quality grade evaluation. ?? 2011 IEEE.

  1. The GRADE approach and Bradford Hill's criteria for causation.

    PubMed

    Schünemann, Holger; Hill, Suzanne; Guyatt, Gordon; Akl, Elie A; Ahmed, Faruque

    2011-05-01

    This article describes how the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to grading the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations considers the Bradford Hill criteria for causation and how GRADE may relate to questions in public health. A primary concern in public health is that evidence from non-randomised studies may provide a more adequate or best available measure of a public health strategy's impact, but that such evidence might be graded as lower quality in the GRADE framework. GRADE, however, presents a framework that describes both criteria for assessing the quality of research evidence and the strength of recommendations that includes considerations arising from the Bradford Hill criteria. GRADE places emphasis on recommendations and in assessing quality of evidence; GRADE notes that randomisation is only one of many relevant factors. This article describes how causation may relate to developing recommendations and how the Bradford Hill criteria are considered in GRADE, using examples from the public health literature with a focus on immunisation.

  2. Postharvest and sensory evaluation of selected ‘Hass’-‘Bacon’ avocado hybrids grown in East-Central Florida

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is a high-value fruit that continues to increase in consumer demand. A population of ‘Hass’-‘Bacon’ hybrids was planted at USDA-ARS, Fort Pierce as part of a study to find selections with good horticultural and postharvest quality traits for Florida. Extensive pheno...

  3. Constraints on mechanized treatment significantly limit mechanical fuels reduction extent in the Sierra Nevada

    Treesearch

    Malcolm P. North; April Brough; Jonathan W. Long; Brandon M. Collins; Phil Bowden; Don Yasuda; Jay Miller; Neil Suighara

    2015-01-01

    With air quality, liability, and safety concerns, prescribed burning and managed wildfire are often considered impractical treatments for extensive fuels reduction in western US forests. For California's Sierra Nevada forests, we evaluated the alternative and analyzed the amount and distribution of constraints on mechanical fuels treatments on USDA Forest Service...

  4. Influence of benchmarking on wilderness visitor and manager perceptions of campsite conditions

    Treesearch

    Joseph P. Flood

    2003-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to compare visitor and manager perceptions of how heavily impacted wilderness campsites and restoration activities to restore them influence quality of visitor experience and opinions of managers. The study conducted in the Mission Mountains Wilderness ("MMW") is located in northwestern Montana and managed by the USDA Forest...

  5. Wapiti and warblers: integrating game and nongame management in Idaho

    Treesearch

    C. R. Groves; J. W. Unsworth

    1993-01-01

    The primary concern of wildlife managers in the USDA Forest Service (USFS) and ldaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) is maintaining elk herds and quality elk hunting. As a result, nongame species like neotropical migratory landbirds do not receive much management attention. Cause for concern over this neglect are twofold: 1) forest fragmentation may be having...

  6. Using soil quality indicators for monitoring sustainable forest management

    Treesearch

    James A. Burger; Garland Gray; D. Andrew Scott

    2010-01-01

    Most private and public forest land owners and managers are compelled to manage their forests sustainably, which means management that is economically viable,environmentally sound, and socially acceptable. To meet this mandate, the USDA Forest Service protects the productivity of our nation’s forest soils by monitoring and evaluating management activities to ensure...

  7. Ammonia emissions and emission factors: a summary of investigations at beef cattle feedyards on the southern high plains

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Ammonia volatilization is a major component of the nitrogen balance of a feedyard, and the effects of ammonia loss range from the economic (loss of manure fertilizer value) to the environmental (air quality degradation, overfertilization of ecosystems). Seven years of research at the USDA-ARS Conser...

  8. Identification of soybean accessions with resistance to Phomopsis seed decay: joint effort from USDA and university scientists

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Soybean Phomopsis seed decay (PSD) is primarily caused by Phomopsis longicolla along with other Phomopsis and Diaporthe spp. This disease causes poor seed quality and suppresses yield in most soybean-growing states in the United States. In 2009, PSD caused yield loss of over 12 million bushels in 16...

  9. Lichen communities as climate indicators in the U.S. Pacific States.

    Treesearch

    Robert J. Smith; Sarah Jovan; Bruce McCune

    2017-01-01

    Epiphytic lichens are bioindicators of climate, air quality, and other forest conditions and may reveal how forests will respond to global changes in the U.S. Pacific States of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California. We explored climate indication with lichen communities surveyed by using both the USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) and Alaska...

  10. From "connecting the dots" to "threading the needle:" The challenges ahead in managing agricultural landscapes for environmental quality

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Non point source pollution from agriculture is one of the most challenging problems facing society. In this book chapter, we briefly review the development of “landscape thinking” in agriculture and how this has been incorporated into the USDA Conservation Effects Assessment Program (CEAP). We pre...

  11. The potential of novel infrared food processing technologies: case studies of those developed at the USDA-ARS WRRC and the University of California Davis

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Infrared (IR) radiation heating has been considered as an alternative to current food and agricultural processing methods for improving product quality and safety, increasing energy and processing efficiency, and reducing water and chemical usage. As part of the electromagnetic spectrum, IR has the ...

  12. An optimization approach to selecting research natural areas in National Forests

    Treesearch

    Stephanie A. Snyder; Lucy E. Tyrrell; Robert G. Haight

    1999-01-01

    The USDA Forest Service has a long-established program to identify areas in national forests for designation as protected Research Natural Areas (RNAs). One of the goals is to protect high quality examples of regional ecosystems for the purposes of maintaining biological diversity, conducting nonmanipulative research and monitoring, and fostering education. When RNA...

  13. Effect of high pressure impact on the survival of Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli ('Big Six' and 0157) in ground beef

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    High pressure processing (HPP) is a safe and effective technology for improving food safety while maintaining food quality attributes. Non-O157:H7 Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) have been increasingly implicated in foodborne illness outbreaks and recalls, and the USDA Food Safety Ins...

  14. Genomic Architecture and Phenotypic Plasticity of Forage Quality in Response to Water Deficit in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    A panel of alfalfa cultivars and landraces originated worldwide with potential value of drought tolerance were selected from USDA-Western Region Plant Germplasm Center. Field trials were conducted in the in Roza farm in Prosser, WA and a gradient of water deficits were applied. Aboveground biomass w...

  15. The USDA collection of barley landraces and cultivars: genetic diversity, population structure, and potential for genome-wide association studies

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    New sources of genetic diversity must to be incorporated into plant breeding programs if they are to continue increasing grain yield and quality, and tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Germplasm collections provide a source of genetic and phenotypic diversity, but characterization of these re...

  16. Agrobotanical attributes, nitrogen-fixation, enzyme activities and nutraceuticals and tyrosinase enzyme of hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus L.) - a bio-functional medicinal legume.

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus L.) accessions of different origins received from USDA, ARS, Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit, Griffin, GA, U.S.A. were evaluated for agrobotanical attributes, enzyme activities, nutraceuticals and quality in pot culture at AMU, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. Fresh ...

  17. User services available from USDA'S aerial photography field office

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dickson, R. A.

    1975-01-01

    APFO furnishes LANDSAT imagery and supporting NASA aircraft imagery to NASA-funded principal investigators who are working within the agriculture discipline. The office holds and reproduces Skylab imagery and a variety of aircraft photography (including infrared) from various government agencies. Available products are listed. Other topics discussed include quality control of photographic materials, analytical aerotriangulation, and photographic processes.

  18. How the physical forms of starch affect filterability at a carbonatation refinery. Part I: Filterability of industrial sugars

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    A study using the USDA starch research method was conducted to evaluate the effects of total, insoluble, and soluble starch on raw sugar filterability and viscosity. Sugar quality parameters, i.e., pol, colour, invert, ash, and dextran, were measured in fifty-five international raw sugars supplied b...

  19. School Based Accountability and the Distribution of Teacher Quality among Grades in Elementary Schools. Working Paper 75

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fuller, Sarah C.; Ladd, Helen F.

    2012-01-01

    We use North Carolina data to explore the extent to which teachers in the lower grades (K-2) of elementary school are lower quality than in the upper grades (3-5) and to examine the hypothesis that accountability contributes to a shortfall in teacher quality in the lower grades. Our concern with early elementary grades arises from recent studies…

  20. Climatic factors affecting quantity and quality grade of in vivo derived embryos of cattle.

    PubMed

    Chinchilla-Vargas, Josué; Jahnke, Marianna M; Dohlman, Tyler M; Rothschild, Max F; Gunn, Patrick J

    2018-05-01

    The present study investigated the effects of climatic variables on the quality grade and quantity of in vivo derived cattle embryos in the Midwestern United States. Climatic information included greatest and least daily temperature, average daily wind speed and average temperature-humidity index for each of the 765 records. The response variables included the number of ovarian structures, viable embryos, quality grade 1 embryos, quality grade 2 embryos, quality grade 3 embryos, freezable embryos (sum of quality grade 1 and quality grade 2 embryos), transferable embryos (sum of quality grade 1-3 embryos), degenerate embryos and unfertilized ova. Measures for variables among the breeds of donors and sires grouped by geographical origin were compared. A negative effect of greater temperatures during the early embryonic development stage tended (P < 0.10) to be associated with a decrease in the quality of embryos recovered. Interestingly, the greater the Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) during the early ovarian antral follicular development stage 40-45 days prior to ovulation was associated with a tendency for greater numbers of total number of freezable and transferable embryos recovered per uterine flushing (P < 0.10). Increased wind speed at the early antral follicular phase 40-45 days prior to ovulation was associated with an increase in the percentage of quality grade 1 embryos recovered (P < 0.05). Wind speed during the estrous synchronization period was also associated with a lesser number of embryos recovered (P < 0.05). This retrospective study confirms that climatic variables have significant effects on the in vivo production of cattle embryos and that wind speed should be considered in future analyses of factors affecting embryo quality. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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