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Good husbandry and proper feeding practices are essential to help reduce the incidence and severity of liver abscesses in beef-on-dairy calves.
January 14, 2025
By Tom Earleywine and Donald C. Sockett*
Liver abscesses continue to be a challenge for the fed cattle industry, especially for the beef-on-dairy sector. They not only impact the health and well-being of the animal but may also result in substantial financial losses for cattle producers and beef packers, prompting producers to look for practical solutions.
Implementing sound management and nutritional strategies on day one of the calf’s life can help reduce the prevalence of liver abscesses and their potential impact on cattle performance and operational profitability.
The primary bacterium found in cattle liver abscesses is Fusobacterium necrophorum. According to research conducted by Kansas State University professor Dr. T.G. Nagaraja, this bacterium is a common denominator in liver abscess cases, even when other disease-causing organisms are present. While F. necrophorum is part of the normal gut microbiota and exposure to this bacterium is inevitable, whether it colonizes and flourishes in the animal’s body is a different matter.1
In dairy operations, feeding large volumes of colostrum via esophageal tube feeders can leave residual colostrum in the forestomaches, providing a nutrient-rich environment for bacteria like F. necrophorum to grow. This can lead to subclinical rumenitis, which often goes unnoticed. Poor management of calf starter feed can exacerbate this problem, which may increase gut permeability and predispose the liver to abscesses.
Good husbandry and proper feeding practices are essential to help reduce the incidence and severity of liver abscesses in beef-on-dairy calves. Consider the following management steps in cooperation with your herd nutritionist and local veterinarian to help mitigate the risks:
Feed newborn calves smaller volumes of high-quality colostrum (IgG ≥75 g/L). Feeding a smaller volume with the proper mass of immunoglobulin G (IgG) can allow for the successful transfer of passive immunity, and for calves fed colostrum via an esophageal tube feeder, it may reduce inflammation in the immature rumen.
Feed a high plane of nutrition or a minimum of 2.0 gal. of milk replacer and/or its equivalent in pasteurized milk per day to help avoid excessive hunger, promotes a gradual transition to starter feed and helps the rumen mature properly.
Maintain a consistent feeding schedule with at least two feedings per day spaced 12 hours apart. Operations that feed calves within a short period, leaving them without a pasteurized waste milk or milk replacer meal for an extended period of time, can predispose the calves to having gut health issues.
Slowly introduce a starter feed within the first few days. The starter ration should have limited fines and a proper balance of fiber and starch to continue supporting proper rumen maturation as well as adequate protein to foster muscle and gut tissue growth.
Consider feeding a diet that includes direct-fed microbials, or probiotics that have been researched to show benefit in calves, to help protect the calf’s gut.
Ensure fresh, clean, free-choice water is always available to encourage consistent water and starter intake. Do not provide soft water for drinking. Softened water can have a high sodium concentration, which can increase the risk of sodium toxicosis. Also, it is important to test water-source quality at least twice per year.
Feed milk replacer and/or pasteurized milk for a minimum of eight weeks, with a preference of 10 weeks prior to starting the weaning process. This provides adequate time for the rumen to develop into a fully functioning rumen ready for a highly fermentable ration.
Provide a gradual two-week weaning process to ensure a smooth and healthy transition from a liquid diet to dry feed. An improper and abrupt transition to highly fermentable feed can lead to gut inflammation, increased gut permeability and hindgut acidosis, all of which can negatively impact liver health and may increase the risk of liver abscesses.
When moving calves into group pens, minimize stress by providing additional feed and water options during the first two weeks while they acclimate to the other calves and their new environment.
1 Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan. 66506.
*Dr. Tom Earleywine is director of nutritional services for Purina Animal Nutrition, and Dr. Donald C. Sockett is epidemiologist and microbiologist for the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
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