Development of fat depots in cattle and associations with beef quality

Introduction: Information on development of fat depots as affected by genotype, stage of production, nutrition during the immediate post-weaning period, and their interactions is limited. The objectives of this study are to I) determine whether a high energy, starch based supplement during the immediate post-weaning period enhances marbling; 2) determine whether nutrition and genotype interact to affect development of fat depots; 3) obtain data and samples for detailed study of fat depot development; 4) understand factors influencing tenderness of beef and provide data for the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) cuts-based palatability model.