Red meat grading according to age (number of teeth) and fat covering
Animal
Milk teeth
2 teeth
4 teeth
6 teeth
8 teeth
Fat grade
Lamb or
A - Grade
( 0-12 month)
Lamb or
B - Grade
( 12-19) month)
Lamb or
A / B - Grade
( 18-24) month)
Lamb or
A / B - Grade
( 23-36) month)
Lamb or
A / B - Grade
( 28-48) month)
Weaner / Baby
or A - Grade
( 0-18 month)
A / B Grade
( 18-24) month)
B Grade
( 24-36) month)
B Grade
( 36-48) month)
C - Grade
( 48-50) month)
0-6, with 0 being
on fat and 6 very fat.
Desirabel fat grades are
2 and 3
Purple ink on carcass shows
A - Grading
Green ink on carcass shows
A/B - Grading
Brown ink on carcass shows
B - Grading
Brown ink on carcass shows
B - Grading
Red ink on carcass shows
C - Grading
Examples Of Roller-Mark Compositions For: Beef, Lamb and Sheep
AAA
OOO
ZWZ
AAA
OOO
ZWZ
AAA
OOO
ZWZ
ABAB
OOO
ZWZ
ABAB
OOO
ZWZ
ABAB
OOO
ZWZ
BBB
OOO
ZWZ
BBB
OOO
ZWZ
BBB
OOO
ZWZ
CCC
OOO
ZWZ
CCC
OOO
ZWZ
CCC
OOO
ZWZ
= Age class of the animal as an indication of tenderness.
The A age class is roller-marked in purple (most Tender),
AB carcasses are in green (tender), B in brown (less tender)
and C in red (less tender).
= Fatness class ** of the carcase. This symbol can be replaced
in the roller-mark by: 111, 222, 333, 444, 555 or 666.
= Abattoir – identification code