This preliminary study quantified the size and number of adipocytes within Longissimus lumborum intramuscular fat across 5 postnatal stages of growth and 2 post-weaning forage-based feeding systems in Bos taurus genotypes selected to differ in their fat distribution. No differences (P>0.05) in size or number of adipocytes due to feeding system were evident. Adipocyte size was lower (P0.05) within each stage of growth. Stage of growth affected size and number of adipocytes (P<0.05)