Research Summary - 2
Prevalence and calfhood factors associated with liver abscesses at harvest in Angus–Holstein cross calves reared in a commercial calf ranch
| Date/Time: |
8/28/2026
16:30
|
| Author: |
Conrad Schelkopf |
| Clinic: |
Valley Veterinarians, Inc. |
| City, State, ZIP: |
Tulare, CA 93274 |
C.S. Schelkopf, DVM, PhD
1
;
R. Crouse, DVM
1
;
D. Altena, DVM
1
;
1Valley Veterinarians, Inc., Tulare, CA, 93274
Introduction:
Liver abscesses are a common and economically important condition in feedyard cattle. Although research has described liver abscess prevalence and risk factors in a feedyard setting, limited information exists regarding calfhood factors that may predispose animals to develop liver abscesses later in the feeding period. Identifying early-life contributors could improve management and health strategies aimed at reducing liver abscess prevalence. The objective of this observational study was to determine the prevalence of liver abscesses in Angus-Holstein cross calves and evaluate calfhood demographic and health-related factors associated with liver abscess occurrence at harvest.
Materials and methods:
Angus-Holstein cross calves (n = 2,909) originating from 140 dairies were reared at a single commercial calf ranch in California during 2023 and 2024 and subsequently finished at a single feedyard in the central United States. Liver abscess data were collected at harvest and matched with demographic and health records from the calf ranch. Demographic variables included sex, arrival weight, serum total protein concentration, and days on feed at the calf ranch. Health variables included diagnoses of navel infection, septicemia, septic arthritis, diarrhea, pneumonia, ear infection, and dehydration. Two mixed–effects logistic regression models were used to estimate associations between calfhood factors and (1) presence of liver abscess and (2) presence of severe liver abscess at harvest.
Results:
Liver abscess prevalence was 46.8% (1,362/2,909), with 28.9% (842/2,909) classified as severe. In mixed-effects logistic regression models, no calfhood demographic or health variables were associated with liver abscess or severe liver abscess probability at harvest (P > 0.05).
Significance:
Calfhood demographic and health variables were not associated with liver abscess or severe liver abscess at harvest in this population.
