Excerpts from the report Preface: How much progress are U.S. farmers making in furnishing consumers the leaner pork they prefer? An answer to this question required detailed information on market attributes of slaughter hogs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture completed a survey of grades and measurements of hogs slaughtered in 1967-68, using procedures similar to those employed in 1960-61. This report analyzes and compares results of both surveys. This study depended on the cooperation of approximately 50 U.S. meatpackers and their principal trade associations--the American Meat Institute, the National Independent Meat Packers Association, and the Western States Meat Packers Association. The grading of the sample carcasses at individual plants was done by Carl Nelson of USDA's Consumer and Marketing Service. U.S. official grade standards were used. These standards are based largely on backfat measurement in relation to length or weight, as supplemented by subjective rating of meatiness and lean quality.