The US Department of Agriculture announced a new program that will allow small and very small-scale producers of grass-fed beef to certify that their animals meet requirements for the grass-fed marketing claim standard. The Agriculture Marketing Service is targeting producers marketing 49 cattle or less each year by developing a cheaper application process for small and very small producers to use the USDA Certified Grass-Fed claim.Producers who qualify for certification under the new program will receive certificates allowing them to market cattle to slaughter facilities as USDA certified grass-fed. The new USDA certification program is part of a second major package of support that includes research awards, technical assistance and marketing support.