A recent study from Texas Tech University explored how changing cattle feed ingredients can reduce liver abscesses in beef steers—one of the most common reasons livers are condemned during meat processing. Liver abscesses not only lower carcass value but also cost the beef industry around $400 million annually due to lost product and decreased meat quality.
Key Points in Simple Terms:
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What’s the problem?
Liver abscesses are a major health and economic concern in feedlot cattle. They can be triggered by feeding high-starch diets, like steam-flaked corn (SFC), which improves growth but can also upset the stomach (rumen) and increase abscess risk. -
Current solution:
Antibiotics like tylosin are commonly used in feed to prevent abscesses, but there’s growing concern about their link to antibiotic resistance. So, researchers looked for a nutritional alternative. -
The study tested:
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Different levels of roughage fiber (from alfalfa hay): 3%, 4.5%, and 6%.
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Two types of corn flake densities: light (24 lb/bushel) and heavy (32 lb/bushel), which affect how easily the starch is digested.
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What they found:
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More roughage fiber (up to 6%) led to fewer liver abscesses.
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Steers with higher fiber diets also had more consistent feed intake over time.
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Severe abscesses dropped the most when fiber was increased.
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Lower-density SFC (24 lb/bu) also helped reduce abscesses compared to higher-density flakes.
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However, cattle on the lowest-fiber diet (3%) showed the best marbling scores, which is good for meat quality.
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Takeaway for Producers:
Feeding more roughage fiber (from alfalfa) and using lighter steam-flaked corn can reduce liver abscesses in finishing cattle—without needing antibiotics. While there may be a trade-off in marbling, this approach offers a promising alternative for producers focused on animal health, meat quality, and reducing antimicrobial use.
