Liver abscesses are endemic in feedlot cattle fed high-grain diets, causing pain and reduced welfare that is largely invisible until slaughter examination reveals the extent of the problem.
Liver abscess is a significant hidden welfare burden in feedlot beef production. Because affected cattle rarely display obvious distress signs until abscesses are severe, producers and consumers remain largely unaware of the chronic pain affecting a substantial fraction of the feedlot population. The root cause is feeding high-energy grain diets too rapidly, causing rumen acidosis and subsequent bacterial liver infection. Antibiotic prevention addresses the symptom while perpetuating the underlying nutritional management problem. Gradual diet transition, adequate roughage, and rumen pH monitoring are effective alternatives that address welfare at its source.