Flavor and Selected Chemical Components of Ground Beef from Steers Backgrounded on Pasture and Fed Corn up to 140 Days

Flavor and selected chemical components of ground beef from 60 steers were studied as a function of days (up to 140) that corn was fed to steers after grazing on pasture. During the 140 days on corn, significant changes occurred in the fatty acid composition of ground beef and in its carbohydrate content, titratable acidity, volatile fatty acid content, aroma and flavor. Flavor changes were related to certain chemical components. Results indicate that finishing cattle on corn for periods longer than 80–90 days causes little change in beef flavor.