Carcase assessment addresses conformation and fat.

Fat cover is scored on a 1-5 scale with 1 being the leanest and 5 being the fattest. Conformation is assessed from E to P, with E being the most shapely and P being of poor shape. Combining scores for conformation and fat determines the markets which cattle suit best. The most common type of steer beef carcase would have a conformation class of R and a fat class of 4L, R4L.

Aim for most animals to fall within the green shaded area, where there is greatest demand and highest prices.