An objective system for beef carcass classification (BCC) will be available shortly. Thus, payment based on objective parameters becomes possible. Alternative pricing systems were tested on the basis of carcass composition data and visual gradings from 403 bulls. Carcass dissection data were converted into a Danish commercial cutting standard to simulate results from an objective beef classification centre. Data represented progeny of Red Danish and Danish Friesian cows sired randomly with one of the following breeds: Angus, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Piemontese, South Devon, Brown Swiss, Red Belgian, Blue Belgian, Red Danish or Danish Friesian. Bull calves were allotted at 70 d of age to three target slaughter weights (320, 440 and 560 kg) and three feeding levels (ad lib., 85 and 70% on an energy basis). The present Danish pricing system, based on EUROP grading, was compared to an alternative pricing system based on yield of saleable meat, a muscularity index, fat trim and fat/lean colour. Compared with the conventional pricing system, the most marked difference of the alternative system was that carcasses with a high percentage of saleable meat and a high muscularity index receive price additions whereas carcasses with surplus fat receive price reductions. Early matured crossbreds with high fat deposition were downgraded, whereas muscular crossbreds were upgraded. The gross margin per day was subsequently strongly dependent on the pricing model, thereby changing the optimal production strategy.