Effects of forage- and grain-based feeding systems on beef quality: A review

The literature pertaining to the effect of forage- and grain-based feeding systems on beef quality has been reviewed in light of considerable interest in New Zealand regarding the relative merits of grain- and grass-based bee f finishing systems. In particular, fifteen experiments which compared fora ge- and grain-finished beef at the same carcass weight or degree of fatness , have been selected from the literature. When compared at similar carcass weights or the same degree of fatness, the type of feeding system had no ef fect ger sc on tenderness, juiciness, lean meat colour, marbling, or pH. In eight out of twelve experiments where flavour was assessed, panellists cou ld not distinguish an effect of diet on flavour. Effects on fat colour were variable and, in six of the nine experiments where fat colour was measured , grain feeding failed to "improve" fat colour. It is concluded that there is little scientific justification for the claim that grain feeding is nece ssary to produce high quality beef. Beef of comparable quality can be obtai ned from cattle finished on forage-based diets (i.e., pasture) provided tha t acceptable carcass weights and degrees of finish can be achieved at a you ng age.