National grading percentages of steer and heifer carcasses have shifted back away from Prime in recent weeks. Heavier carcass weights allowed for new record highs of carcasses grading prime. Often weekly percentages topped 10% and in the spring of 2021 they reached 12.59%. Seasonally, dressed weights have decreased and with those so has the percent grading Prime. June saw the first slip below 10% in 21 weeks. Those declines in Prime graded beef have traded off with upticks in Choice graded beef and Select graded beef. Choice graded beef saw a brief decline in May of 2021 from higher levels.
