Mike, the USDA has been using Carcass age qualification for many years. This is not new scinece. The studies were completed with animals of know age for verification of the process to satisfy the Japanese. Even the Japanese acknowledge that we have used this process for many years. No new graders will be needed. They can be trained quickly for this process to identify and qualify carcasses as A40. I am certain this is part of the protocol that is being worked out now. This will all work out so you can "cool it". Have a great day. agman