Association of liver abnormalities with carcass grading performance and value

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Animal Science
• Food Science

Background:

• Liver abnormalities are common in harvested cattle.
• The economic impact of these abnormalities on carcass value is not fully quantified.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the association between liver abnormalities and carcass grading performance, value, and dressed yield.
• To quantify the economic impact of specific liver conditions on beef carcasses.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from 76,191 cattle carcasses across two databases.
• Classification of liver abnormalities including normal, abscesses (A-, A, A+), adhesions (A+AD), open abscesses (A+OP), cirrhosis, distoma, and telangiectasis.
• Comparison of carcass characteristics (body weight, hot carcass weight, lean meat area, subcutaneous fat, KPH, yield grade, marbling score) and gross value between normal and abnormal livers.

Main Results:

• Carcasses with various liver abnormalities showed reduced dressed yields, hot carcass weight, lean meat area, 12th-rib subcutaneous fat, and estimated KPH.
• Cirrhotic livers were associated with significantly lower body weight.
• Specific abnormalities like A+AD, A+OP, cirrhosis, and distoma were linked to lower calculated yield grades and marbling scores.
• Gross carcass value analyses revealed that carcasses with most liver abnormalities were less valuable than those with normal livers.

Conclusions:

• Liver abnormalities at harvest are associated with significant reductions in multiple carcass characteristics.
• These findings highlight the economic losses incurred due to liver condemnations and associated quality defects.
• Implementing strategies to reduce liver condemnations can improve overall beef carcass value and profitability.