Thirty-eight crossbred steers of known background were randomly
assigned to four feeding regimes. All initially were fed on a brome and
bluestem pasture supplemented during winter with alfalfa and protein. Ten
grass-fed animals were slaughtered directly off pasture at the end of summer. Ten steers were fed an additional 49 days (short-fed), and eight
98 days (long-fed) on 80 percent concentrate and 20 percent corn silage.
In addition, ten silage-fed animals were fed 60 percent corn silage and 40
percent concentrate for 98 days. Carcass characteristics were evaluated
along with shear force (tenderness) and taste panel responses.
