Poultry & Egg Inspection and Grading Programs
Poultry and Egg Services, under the Division of Commodity Services, is an inspection and grading program. It operates under a Cooperative State Trust Fund Agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Inspectors are fully trained and licensed by USDA Agricultural Marketing Services (USDA AMS) as Federal/State graders. These services ensure compliance and quality assurance for food manufacturers, food service providers, and retail establishments.
Poultry and Egg Education: Understanding Quality Standards
Learn more about inspection vs. grading, Grade A poultry and more.
U.S. Inspected Poultry
Inspection ensures safety, labeling accuracy, and sanitation of poultry products.
What Inspection Covers: The safety of poultry and poultry products and the accuracy of product labels.
- Mandatory by federal law, inspection covers both finished products and plant operations.
- It verifies that poultry is safe for consumption and produced under approved sanitary conditions.
U.S. Grade A Poultry
Grading is a voluntary, fee-based service requested by poultry processors. USDA graders assess factors such as:
- Conformation
- Fleshing/Fat Covering
- Feathers
- Exposed Flesh, Cuts, Tears, and Broken Bones
- Skin Discolorations, Flesh Blemishes, and Bruises
- Freezing Defects
Important: Only poultry that meets USDA standards may display the U.S. Grade A certification.
From Farm to Table
Virginia's poultry and egg products move through a national marketing system designed for quality, safety, and convenience. Modern poultry products have evolved to meet consumer demand for convenience, portion control, and health-conscious options suitable for both home cooking and restaurant preparation.
National Trading Standards
USDA standards and grades allow poultry and shell eggs to be traded consistently across the U.S. and internationally, ensuring transparent pricing and quality. These standards apply to:
- Ready-to-cook poultry carcasses and parts
- Processed poultry products
- Shell eggs
What the USDA Shield Means
When eggs are packed under the USDA Grading Program, a distinctive shield-shaped USDA grademark appears on the carton, providing three key assurances:
- Grade Compliance: Eggs meet the official grade and size marked on the carton
- Sanitation Standards: The egg packer meets all USDA sanitary requirements
- Federal Supervision: Eggs were packed under Federal-State grader supervision, with samples checked before retail shipment
Poultry & Egg Services Rates and Programs
Read about our services, rates, and regulatory programs.
Effective October 1, 2025
| Service Type | Rate Per Hour |
|---|---|
| Regular | $78.66 |
| Holiday | $102.05 |
| Overtime | $123.31 |
| Service Type | Rate Per Hour |
|---|---|
| Regular | $114.80 |
| Holiday | $170.08 |
| Service Type | Rate Per Hour |
|---|---|
| Regular | $175.00 |
Mileage Rates: Rate established by IRS
Certification Services are voluntary, fee-based services designed to support Virginia’s poultry and egg industry. Our certification program verifies that poultry and egg products meet USDA/AMS Commodity Procurement Specifications for:
- Quality and condition
- Formulation and net weight
- Packaging and labeling
- Storage and transportation
The Shell Egg Surveillance Program performs quarterly inspections at packing and processing facilities each fiscal year. These inspections ensure food safety, quality compliance, and consumer protection.
Learn more about USDA Shell Egg Surveillance.
USDA Standards and Resources
Contact
The Poultry and Egg Office provide USDA AMS grading services to poultry facilities in Shenandoah Valley, Danville, and Accomack County, Virginia.
For questions or more information about Poultry and Egg Services, please contact:
Elizabeth D. Myers, Manager
Poultry and Egg Services
540.209.9140
elizabeth.myers@vdacs.virginia.gov
Visit the Division of Commodity Services directory.
