Association of liver-abscess presence and severity with trim loss, slaughter yield, carcass grading performance, lung lesions, and value of fed-Holsteins*

Abstract

Objective

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of liver abscesses on carcass characteristics and value of Holstein carcasses.

Materials and Methods

Fed-Holsteins were evalu- ated at 2 commercial processing facilities in Texas (n = 1,073) and Kansas (n = 1,070) from fall of 2016 through spring of 2017. Liver abscesses were visually assessed and scored; simultaneously, lungs were manually palpated to assess degree of consolidation and fibrin tag formation, to assess their association with liver abnormality. Finally, carcass trim was weighed from carcasses moved off line for zero tolerance trimming. Carcass and viscera values were assigned using USDA market reports and adjusted based on viscera condemnations along with premiums and dis- counts for quality and yield outcomes. Data were analyzed using the MIXED and GENMOD procedures of SAS v9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) with carcass as the experi- mental unit.

Results and Discussion

Hot carcass weight was re- duced (−25.1 kg, −6.6%) in carcasses that had an ad- hered and open liver abscess as compared with carcasses without abscessed livers. Carcasses with adhered, open, or adhered and open liver scores had increased carcass trim (0.72, 3.92, and 3.39 kg, respectively) when compared with carcasses without abscessed livers (0.38 kg). Similarly, carcasses with adhered, open, or adhered and open liver scores returned gross carcass revenues that were 5.0% to 6.4% less (–$97.69, –$93.86, and –$121.22/carcass, re- spectively) than carcasses without abscessed livers. Liver abscesses reduced gross offal values of individual animals by 20% to 84% depending upon severity.

Implications and Applications

Fed-Holsteins have been a significant portion of the beef industry, even though Holsteins have increased rates of severe liver ab- scesses compared with their non-dairy-reared equivalents. Therefore, methods to control liver abscesses should be employed, to mitigate the greater financial risk that Hol- steins and dairy-reared animals incur to both cattle feeders and beef processors.