Final answer:
Bulls are known to have a tenderness problem with their meat attributed to higher muscle-building hormones. Steers, heifers, and cows are generally considered to produce more tender meat, with diet also influencing meat quality and taste, particularly in the case of grass-fed beef.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sex class of beef that commonly has a tenderness problem is a) Bulls. Bulls tend to have tougher meat due to higher levels of muscle-building hormones. This contrasts with other classes such as steers which are castrated males that gain weight quickly and produce tender meat, heifers which are young female cows that have not borne a calf and also tend to provide tender meat if slaughtered before pregnancy, and cows which are mature female cattle that might vary in tenderness.
When it comes to the quality of beef, diet plays a significant role. Cattle fed on a diet of grass typically produce beef that is considered by many connoisseurs to be healthier and have a better taste, which leads to grass-fed beef having a higher market price. However, most cattle are fed corn and silage in feedlots until they reach the desired weight for processing.