Fewer than 1 in 100 cattle earn the Creekstone Farms name

Every program starts with genetics. We evaluate lineage, conformation, and marbling, not just breed appearance and all products are USDA third-party verified.

Our flagship program. Natural Prime Black Angus beef grades at the highest USDA level — Prime — and is raised without added hormones or antibiotics. Rich marbling, exceptional tenderness, and bold flavor from verified Black Angus genetics.

Grade: Prime, Upper 2/3 & Choice

Raised: No added hormones or antibiotics

Genetics: Verified Black Angus

Origin: Born & raised in the USA

Verified: USDA third-party certified

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Hand-selected cattle with genuine Black Angus genetics and outstanding marbling. Our Premium program grades consistently higher than beef from many other programs — delivering premium quality at accessible price points.

Grade: Prime, Upper 2/3 & Choice

Genetics: Verified Black Angus

Origin: Born & raised in the USA

Verified: USDA third-party certified

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Irodori means "to make something more beautiful" in Japanese. Our American Wagyu program crosses Wagyu genetics with our renowned Black Angus cattle — not dairy cattle like many others — producing extraordinary marbling, tenderness, and richness.

Marbling: BMS 6–7 (Sapphire tier)

Cross: Wagyu × Black Angus

Raised: No added hormones or antibiotics

Origin: Born & raised in the USA

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Duroc is the pork breed equivalent of Black Angus beef — known for superior marbling, tenderness, and rich flavor. Raised by family farms in Iowa with the same attention to genetics and natural practices as our beef programs.

Breed: Heritage Duroc

Raised: No antibiotics or added hormones

Farms: Family farms, Iowa

Origin: Born & raised in the USA

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THE CREEKSTONE STANDARD

Creekstone Farms beef grades consistently higher than beef from many other programs because we evaluate genetics, not just appearance. Our G-Schedule programs ensure all products are USDA third-party verified — meaning an independent USDA grader confirms every product meets our specifications before it bears the Creekstone Farms name.

What the grade of beef actually means

USDA QUALITY GRADES

  • USDA PRIME

    8-10% of all graded beef

    The highest USDA quality grade. Prime beef comes from young, well-fed cattle with abundant intramuscular fat (marbling). Those fine flecks of fat melt during cooking, delivering juiciness, tenderness, and the rich flavor most associated with steakhouse quality.

  • USDA CHOICE

    50-60% of all graded beef

    The most common grade in retail stores. Choice beef has good marbling and is well-suited to dry-heat cooking methods like grilling and roasting. Upper Choice, the top band of this grade, approaches Prime quality and is what many branded programs target.

  • USDA SELECT

    Remainder of all graded beef

    Select beef is leaner with less marbling, making it less forgiving to cook. It's the most common grade in value retail settings. Slower cooking methods like braising help compensate for the reduced fat content. Creekstone Farms does no offer Select via our website.
Wagyu grading systems chart with raw beef blocks on a black background

UNDERSTANDING THE WAGYU BEEF MARBLING SCORE:

WAGYU & THE BMS SCALE

The Beef Marbling Score (BMS) is a scale from 1 to 12 used specifically to measure marbling in Wagyu and American Wagyu beef — going beyond the standard USDA grading system to capture the exceptional fat distribution that defines true Wagyu quality.

Standard USDA Prime beef typically falls around BMS 4–5. Creekstone Farms Irodori Wagyu™ grades at BMS 6-7 (Sapphire) & BMS 8-9 (Diamond) — a meaningful step above commodity Prime, delivering the rich, buttery texture and depth of flavor that defines American Wagyu.

Fullblood Japanese Wagyu (A5) grades at BMS 8–12 and commands significantly higher prices. With most of our Irodori Wagyu™ at BMS 6–7 this represents the sweet spot; exceptional quality that's approachable for everyday premium cooking and special occasions alike.

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What's the difference between USDA Prime and Creekstone Farms' own quality standards?

USDA Prime is a national grade — genetics, feeding, and marbling requirements any producer can qualify for. Creekstone Farms' programs go further: our G-Schedule specifications add stricter genetic verification, feeding protocols, and hormone/antibiotic-free requirements on top of the USDA grade. That's why fewer than 1 in 100 cattle earn the Creekstone Farms name, even as more cattle nationally reach Prime.

Is "Natural" the same as organic or grass-fed?

No. "Natural" (per USDA labeling rules) means no artificial ingredients or added color and only minimal processing — it doesn't mean grass-fed, organic, or hormone-free on its own. Our Natural Black Angus program pairs the USDA natural claim with our own no-added-hormones-or-antibiotics standard, so you get both in one program.

Wagyu vs. Angus — what's actually the difference?

They're different breeds, not different grades. Black Angus is prized for consistent marbling within the USDA system (Prime, Choice, Select). Wagyu is a Japanese breed genetically predisposed to much higher marbling, which is why it's measured on the separate 1-12 BMS scale instead. We produce both because they deliver different, equally excellent eating experiences.

How is pork graded — does Natural Heritage Duroc Pork follow the same system?

No — USDA doesn't run a retail quality-grading system for pork the way it does beef. Our Natural Heritage Duroc Pork program is instead built around breed genetics (Duroc is known for marbling and flavor), raising standards, and the same no-added-hormones-or-antibiotics commitment we apply across our beef programs.

What does "USDA third-party verified" actually mean?

It means an independent USDA grader — not Creekstone Farms — physically inspects and certifies each carcass against the exact program specifications before it can carry that program's name. That's the same independent oversight used industry-wide, so the label matches what's actually in the package.

Does a higher grade always mean "better"?

Not necessarily — it depends how you're cooking. Prime and upper Choice shine with quick, high-heat methods like grilling and searing, where the marbling carries the flavor. Leaner cuts do best with low-and-slow methods like braising, where time builds the tenderness instead of fat. The best grade is the one that matches your recipe.

Find OUT MORE!

To learn more about the Creekstone Farms Story, please visit CreekstoneFarms.com.