Addition of the beta-adrenergic agonist clenbuterol to the diet of steers increased blood flow in portal-drained viscera, liver and tissues of the hindquarters. 2. Uptake of oxygen increased with clenbuterol feeding in hindquarters but not portal-drained viscera or liver. 3. On day 1 of clenbuterol feeding, the principal source of circulating L-lactate switched from portal-drained viscera to hindquarters. 4. Both net release of alpha-amino nitrogen by the portal-drained viscera and net uptake by the hindquarters decreased on day 1 of clenbuterol feeding. Over time of clenbuterol feeding, both release of alpha-amino nitrogen by the portal-drained viscera and uptake by the hindquarters increased to equal or greater than pretreatment values, respectively.