By Andi Anderson
Liver abscesses, caused by the buildup of pus from bacterial infection, are a costly but often hidden problem for the beef industry. The condition is usually linked to bacteria such as Fusobacterium necrophorum and Trueperella pyogenes.
Although the exact cause can vary, it is commonly associated with long-term feeding of high-grain diets low in roughage, which can lead to rumen or intestinal damage and bacterial colonization.
In most cases, liver abscesses are only discovered during post-slaughter inspections at beef processing facilities. Any liver with an abscess, regardless of severity, is condemned, leading to an immediate loss in value.
A recent study published in the Journal of Animal Science estimates that liver abscesses cost the U.S. beef industry around $256 million annually, or approximately $9.07 per head sold. Losses include:
- $26.4 million from liver condemnation
- $45.9 million from condemnation of other affected offal
- $11.6 million from processing slowdowns due to handling affected carcasses
While these numbers reflect costs at the processing stage, they ultimately impact the entire supply chain, including cattle producers.
Preventing liver abscesses requires attention to feeding practices, particularly ensuring adequate roughage in high-energy diets, as well as management strategies that support overall cattle health.
Because liver abscesses remain largely undetected until processing, proactive nutrition management and preventive health programs are key to reducing their economic toll on the beef industry.
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Categories: Ohio, General