Efficacy of Liver Abscess Vaccines in Natural-fed Finishing Cattle and the Impact of Liver Abscesses on Performance and Carcass Characteristics

Abstract

Liver abscesses occur in finishing cattle as a sequela to high-concentrate diets. Reductions in daily gain and feed efficiency, as well as loss of carcass yield occur as a result of abscessed livers. A common practice to reduce the incidence of liver abscesses is the feeding of antimicrobials. However, the demand for organic and natural beef in the US is on the rise and cattle reared in these systems typically cannot receive antimicrobials. These production systems do, however, allow the use of vaccines making them a potential alternative method for control of liver abscess. Two commercial vaccines are available for this use, Fusogard®, marketed by Novartis Animal Health, and Centurion™ marketed by Schering-Plough Animal Health. Our objectives were to evaluate the efficacy of these vaccines to prevent liver abscesses in finishing cattle not fed antimicrobials or ionophores, and to evaluate the impact of liver abscesses at harvest on previous feedlot performance and carcass characteristics.