The hidden cost of liver abscesses for the cattle producer
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EmailThe cost due to liver abscesses is more than condemned livers.
Liver abscesses are characterized by the accumulation of pus (bacteria, tissue debris and white blood cells) caused by the abnormal colonization of bacteria, most commonly Fusarium necrophorum and Trueperella pyogenes. While the exact root cause of liver abscesses is uncertain, it is commonly believed that liver abscesses are the result of ruminal or intestinal tissue damage caused by a low pH from the consumption of high-grain-based diets containing insufficient roughage over an extended period of time. Liver abscesses in cattle are typically identified post-slaughter when the liver becomes available for visible inspection at the beef processing facility. Cattle livers containing an abscess, regardless of size, are condemned at the beef processing facility, resulting in a direct economic loss.
Recent estimates published in the Journal of Animal Science by Taylor and others, predict the United States beef industry loses approximately $256 million annually to liver abscesses or $9.07 per animal sold. At the beef processing facility, this includes losses to liver condemnation ($26.4 million), losses to other offal condemnation ($45.9 million) and processing speed delays ($11.6 million). These are costs incurred by the beef processing facility due to liver abscesses.
Currently, the cattle producer doesn’t receive a direct discount from the beef processor due to their cattle having liver abscesses. However, there are indirect or hidden costs associated with liver abscesses that affect the cattle producer as well. First, additional carcass trimming due to adhered or ruptured liver abscesses will reduce hot carcass weight. Reduced hot carcass weight will reduce the pounds of saleable beef for the producer. This cost will affect the cattle producer if the cattle were sold on a carcass or dressed basis, or it will affect the beef processor if the cattle were sold on a live basis. Excessive carcass trimming due to liver abscesses was estimated to cost $35.1 million annually. Because liver abscess data isn’t typically reported back to the producer, this loss in saleable carcass weight remains hidden from the cattle producer.
Secondly, there is an economic loss due to reduced feedlot performance, particularly reduced average daily gain (ADG) when cattle have severe liver abscess scores ($80.6 million). From a review of published feedlot studies, Batista and Holland (2022) determined that severe liver abscesses (A+ liver score) reduce ADG by an average of 5.3% (0.17 lbs./d). Recent Michigan State University feedlot studies have observed similar results, with a 0.18 lbs./d reduction for beef x Holstein steers with A+ liver scores in one study. In another study, the ADG of steers with A+ liver scores varied by breed-type and corn silage inclusion rate in the finishing diet, with beef x Holstein and Holstein steers fed 20% corn silage having 0.11 lbs./d and 0.21 lbs./d ADG reduction, respectively, whereas, both breed types fed 40% corn silage did not experience an ADG reduction due to A+ scores.
Using the observed reduction in ADG because of severe liver abscesses (A+ score), Batista and Holland (2022) estimated the Net Energy of maintenance (NEm) requirements of these cattle was approximately 4% greater. This shouldn’t be surprising when we consider the energy, as well as other nutrients, being expended to elicit an immune response. While we don’t know the exact energy expenditure for liver abscesses, previous research has demonstrated that bacterial infection (caused by Lipopolysaccharide infusion) in Holstein steer calves resulted in a 1.0 g/kg BW0.75 greater glucose (i.e., energy) demand per hour for these cattle developing an immune response.
Another hidden economic cost of liver abscesses is due to changes in carcass composition. As previously mentioned, less available energy results in less growth, which can result in less fat and muscle being deposited in the carcass. Reduced dressing percentages (carcass weight/live weight) cost $46.3 million annually, while reductions in marbling or USDA quality grade cost an additional $9.6 million.
Overall, 31% of the economic cost due to severe liver abscesses in cattle sold on a live basis are due to reduced ADG and are acquired by the producer. If cattle are sold on a dressed basis, up to 67% of the economic cost due to severe liver abscesses is acquired by the producer. The economic loss acquired by the beef processor due to condemned livers, other offal and processing speed delays accounts for 33% of the total economic loss caused by liver abscesses in slaughtered cattle.
If you have concerns with liver abscesses in your cattle or would like to discuss this topic further, reach out to me or one of the other Michigan State University Extension Beef Team members. We would be happy to talk to you about your nutrition program and help develop a plan to control nutritive disorders and allow your cattle to meet their full potential.
