This study assessed the impact of dry- (DR) versus temper-rolled (TR) and low- (13%, LP) versus high-protein (18%, HP) wheat on ruminal fermentation, growth, and liver abscesses in feedlot cattle. Crossbred Angus steers (302 ± 34 kg; n = 160; 24 ruminally cannulated) were used in a backgrounding (BG) to finishing (FN) trial. The BG diet consisted of 60% barley silage, 35% wheat, and 5% supplement, and the FN diet contained 10% barley silage, 85% wheat, and 5% supplement (dry matter basis). Four transition (TN) diets were used to adapt cattle to the FN diet. A numerical increase in large particles and reduction in small particles occurred when both HP and LP wheat were TR, with this response being greater for HP wheat. Steers experienced lower ( P ≤ 0.03) ruminal pH with HP-DR and LP-TR than HP-TR wheat during TN. Steers fed HP wheat BG diets tended to exhibit greater ( P ≤ 0.09) gain:feed and NEg than steers fed LP wheat. Greater ( P = 0.01) average daily gains were exhibited by FN steers fed LP wheat. Liver abscesses were more ( P < 0.001) severe with HP wheat. While HP wheat improved the growth of BG cattle, it increased the severity of liver abscesses during FN.