Grain better than grass for steak, survey finds

The winner of this year’s competition was ABP Poland​, which won the title of World’s Best Steak with a Polish Sirloin Grain-fed Limousin Cross. The animal, produced by F&M Frąckowiak in the woj. Wielkopolskie region, was aged for 29 months and matured for 14 days.

For the two years previous, the trophy was lifted by Jack’s Creek of Australia, with a sirloin that came from a Wagyu F2+ 75%, aged for 30 months and fed on grain.

Has it just been a coincidence, or is grain-fed cattle superior to its grass-fed contemporaries?

The World Steak Challenge​ put the question to the test, and asked its social media followers what produces the best steak. After a two-week poll, it was revealed that 78% back the previous winners and believe that grain-fed cattle is regarded in higher esteem, with only 22% supporting grass-fed cattle.

Commenting on this year’s victor, chair of judges Marco Peerdeman said: “It was a very tidy entry with great marbling with a leafy trim. The taste was great – it was rich but different. It looks a bit like a Wagyu but once you taste it, you realise it’s not.​”

As it enters its fourth year in 2018, will a steak produced by grass-fed cattle finally triumph, or will grain-fed continue to reign supreme?