|
Grain fed vs. Grass fed
Another variable to throw into the mix is how the beeves (yes, that is the proper plural, I am a native Texan. We know these things.) were fed. Grain fed beef is more tender and is more apt to become marbled. Longhorns are traditionally grass fed and then finished off at the feedlot with grain before slaughter. The grass feeding produces leaner beef and more utility grade meat rather than a higher grade like choice or prime.
Another factor that affects the meat quality is the age of the animal at the time of slaughter.
More Bovine terminology:
Bull - non - castrated males
Steers - castrated males
Heifers - females that have not been bred and have not produced calves
Calves - any bovine under the age of a year or not yet weaned
Yearling - weaned cattle (sometimes feeder calves between one and two years)
Sorry about the Texan joke...but that is the sort of things we learn around 4th grade in 4H and FFA.
__________________
Firefinder radar operator.
Forensic science teacher in high school.
Last edited by zauber1; 08-07-2009 at 23:44.
|