ABSTRACTIron content of bovine longissimus (LD) and semimembranosus muscle (SM) from steers raised at two altitudes was compared. Total iron content of fresh muscle was not different in concentrate‐fed steers reared at 2145 m (HIFD) when compared to that of steers reared at 549 m (LOFD). Iron content of muscle from steers reared at 2145 m and pasture‐grazed (HIGR) was lower than that from older HIFD and LOFD steers. Steaks from the HIFD and HIGR groups contained more heme iron (P<0.05) than those from LOFD steers. The nutritional significance of the differences in heme iron must be further investiga