The experimental plan envisaged the comparison of different animal categories (calves, oxen, bulls) at different feeding intensities (high, low, extensive) and basic feed (grass silage, maize silage). All three feeding intensities were tested for calves and oxen, with grass silage serving as basic feed (2-factorial experimental design).

For comparison with standard fattening methods, bulls were also tested together with calves and oxen at a relatively high feeding intensity based on corn silage. The project provides the urgently needed scientifically sound and practical basis for Austrian conditions for advisory documents (feed intake, fattening and slaughter performance, meat quality, cost-effectiveness) in connection with the fattening of calves and oxen.