Evaluation of management and genomic models to increase growth performance, health outcomes, and carcass characteristics of finishing beef cattle

Success in the feedlot industry relies on the capacity to produce high-quality beef from efficient animals while ensuring profitability and sustainability. Key indicators of productivity and profitability include meat quality, the cost of production compared to potential profits, and weight gain efficiency. Investigating common challenges in the feeder cattle sector is essential for meeting the objectives of feedlots. Current issues and advancements in the feedlot industry are identified by the National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA), performed every 5 years. Carcass discounts from liver abscesses and heart issues from environmental factors were among the Areas of Focused Improvement section of the most recent NBQA in 2022. Moreover, the 2022 NBQA also outlined the need for efficient use of genetic selection technologies to optimize uniformity and eating quality within beef products. This thesis seeks to positively impact the goals of the feedlot industry. Chapter I reviews the literature on liver abscesses, bovine congestive heart failure, and terminal sorting. Chapter II reports a liver abscess model study designed to consistently induce liver abscesses for future mitigation and prevention efforts, while also testing current liver abscess development theories. Chapter III reports terminal sorting efforts comparing two genomic panels against conventional visual appraisal of market readiness.