By Scout Nelson
North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension is hosting an educational program that helps livestock producers better understand how cattle are valued throughout the beef production process. The program, called “Pens to Processor: Connecting Live Animals to Carcass Value,” provides participants with practical knowledge about cattle evaluation, carcass grading, and pricing systems.
The program takes place in Dickinson, North Dakota, on October 28, 2026, and November 3, 2026, from 4 to 8 p.m. MDT. It is open to livestock producers, cattle feeders, direct marketers, and others interested in learning how management decisions influence the value of cattle and beef products.
Participants follow cattle from the feedlot pen through carcass evaluation and pricing. This process helps them understand how characteristics seen in live animals can affect carcass quality and final market value. The program is designed to bridge the gap between cattle management practices, and the products consumers eventually purchase.
"Many producers receive carcass data or hear about quality grades, yield grades and grid marketing, but they don't always have an opportunity to connect those concepts back to the live animal," says Rachel Gibbs, NDSU Extension ruminant systems management and small ruminant specialist. "This program is designed to show participants how cattle characteristics observed before harvest translate into carcass value and, ultimately, the products consumers purchase."
During the first session on October 28, 2026, participants learn the basics of quality grade and yield grade determination. They also evaluate market-ready cattle in a feedlot setting and observe a carcass ultrasound demonstration. Additional presentations focus on grid marketing systems and management practices that influence carcass performance.
The second session on November 3, 2026, builds on this knowledge by taking participants to a local processing facility. There, they evaluate and grade beef carcasses and learn how carcass characteristics affect pricing. The session also explains how producers can estimate the value of individual carcasses using primal cut prices.
Topics covered throughout the program include:
- Live animal evaluation techniques
- Beef carcass ultrasound technology
- Quality and yield grade calculations
- Beef carcass grading
- Grid marketing systems
- Pricing tools and value-based marketing
- Management strategies that affect carcass merit
- Estimating carcass value using primal cut pricing
The program uses multiple locations, including a cattle feeding operation and a beef processing facility. This hands-on approach allows participants to observe cattle and carcasses at different stages of the beef production chain. By seeing each step in person, participants gain a clearer understanding of how management decisions affect profitability.
"This program truly connects the pen to the processor," says Gibbs. "Whether producers market calves, retain ownership through finishing, feed cattle or sell beef directly to consumers, understanding carcass value can help improve management and marketing decisions."
Attendance at both sessions is strongly encouraged to receive the full educational experience. Registration is limited to the first 30 participants, and interested individuals must register by October 21, 2026. The registration fee is $30 per person and includes educational materials and meals.
The program begins at the NDSU Extension Stark-Billings County office, located at 2680 Empire Road, Dakota Room, Door C, Dickinson. Through this educational opportunity, participants can gain valuable knowledge that helps improve cattle management, marketing strategies, and overall understanding of beef value.
Photo Credit: north-dakota-state-university
Categories: North Dakota, Livestock, Beef Cattle