Continued studies on the effect of grain or pasture on the carcass composition and meat quality of Friesian steers

Abstract

Twenty-one Friesian steers were grown to a final fasted liveweight of 469 kg. Seven of the steers grazed irrigated ryegrass-white clover pastures, seven steers were fed on a high energy ration ad libitum, and seven were given a ration of the same composition as the second group but at a restricted amount such that the growth rate was similar to that of the grazing steers. There were no significant differences in carcass weight between the three groups. The dressing percentage of the grain ad libitum group was 58%, the restricted grain group 57% and the pasture group 55%. The dressing percentage was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the pasture group. The grain ad libitum group had 51.5% more (P < 0.05) oaental fat than the pasture group, and the restricted group 28.9% more (P < 0.05) than the pasture group. In dissections of the 9th, 10th and 11th ribs the grain ad lib. group had 35.4% fat, the restricted grain group 32.8% and the pasture group 26.5%, the proportion of fat being significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the pasture group than in the grain ad lib. group. No significant differences were found in either tenderness, juiciness or flavour between the three groups.