Progress 02/01/12 to 01/31/13
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Objective 1 was completed in Dec. 2010. A modified Delphi survey was conducted to identify top educational priority areas of small cow/calf producers in the area of pre-harvest food safety. We contacted stakeholders in the beef industry including academic experts, cow/calf producers, feedlot operators and packing plant representatives. Upon completing the Delphi survey, the team sought out expert resources to develop a survey instrument to ascertain the knowledge level of cow/calf producers. That instrument was created, pilot-test, validated and used in the field to collect data from the population. Results from this survey instrument will be used to create educational materials that fill the knowledge gaps that exist. These educational materials will then be delivered back to the population. Objective 2: This objective was completed in December 2011. Several (30 in Louisiana and 50 in Texas) small-scale cow/calf operations were visited twice between the months of May to December for sample collection to determine E. coli O157:H7 populations on the farm. The samples included fecal (n=1620), water/sediments (n=400), and equipment swabs (n=160). Out of the 2404 total samples collected from the 80 farms, 256 (11%) were positive for E. coli O157:H7. Of the total positive samples, 179 (11%) fecal, 70 (17.5%) water/sediment and 7 (4.4%) equipment swab samples yielded E. coli O157:H7. A questionnaire was also given to the farmers during each farm visit to assess their production practices which were sent to TTU for further analysis. The survey results will be combined with the E. coli O157:H7 prevalence results and on-farm risk factors assessed for pathogen contamination. Objective 3: During the annual PI meeting (held April 6, 2011), results of Objectives 1 and 2 were discussed and a workshop module for Obj. 3 was developed based on the Delphi survey results and the prevalence data. Workshop module is as follows: Frequency of Workshops: One each in LA and TX. All institutions will participate in both workshops. - Workshop will last for 1one and half day. - A pre- and post-workshop survey for selected farms. - To increase participation of farmers, an incentive in the form of completion certificate will be given at the end of the workshop. The 8 categories and items identified from DELPHI survey used in workshop are: 1. On-Farm Pathogen Control a. Control at cow-calf level b. BIFSCO Guidelines for On-Farm Management Practices c. Multiple Hurdle Approach d. Options to control pathogens e. Options to mange pre-harvest food safety f. Factors affecting fecal shedding and environmental persistence 2. Interventions a. Approved interventions b. Impact of interventions c. Methods to decrease risk of pathogens d. Implementation of pre-harvest interventions e. Best intervention methods f. Cost per animal, cost per dose 3. Impact on the Industry a. Impact of food safety on industry profitability b. Impact of loss in confidence in food safety c. Benefits of following food safety practices d. Producer's impact on environmental pathogen contamination e. Why producers need to be concerned with food safety f. Consumer perceptions of food safety PARTICIPANTS: Texas Tech University, Louisiana State University, Nutrition and Health Program at Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Also, undergraduate and graduate students and faculty and staff participated. Cow/calf producers in Louisiana and Texas who whose plots were used for sample collection also participated. TARGET AUDIENCES: Small-scale cow/calf producers, feedlot operators and packing plant representatives PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Objectives 2, 3 and 4 will also be carried out in Oklahoma which would increase the sample size and the target audience
Impacts
Through the Delphi process, construct areas were identified as 1) pathogen control on the farm, 2) interventions, 3) impact on the industry, 4) an overview of beef safety, 5) transfer of pathogens to food products, 6) the food safety system, 7) an overview of E. coli O157:h7 and 8) impact on animals and the environment. Production practices questionnaire will be used to determine on-farm practices that could be contributing to pathogen loads in the cattle and on the farm. Collection of samples from multiple farms helped with the determination of prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 on these farms and also identified the major risk factors contributing to pathogen loads on these farms. Cattle feces and water were the two major sources of contamination for E. coli O157:H7 followed by sediment samples. On the other hand, trough-swabs played a minor role in the prevalence of this pathogen in cattle operations.
Publications
- To date, following three abstracts have been published: Jaroni, D., M. Brashears, R. Marshall, T. Brashears, G. Loneragan, M. Janes, M. Miller. Reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Small-Scale Cow/Calf Operations using Best Management Practices. Abstract. Annual IAFP Meeting, Milwakee, WI. July 31-Aug 4, 2011.
- Gutierrez, M. E., D. Jaroni, M. Janes, M. Gutierrez, S. Kerr, M. Maite and D. Allen. Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in small scale cattle operations in Louisiana. Abstract. Annual IAFP Meeting, Providence, RI. July 22-25, 2012.
- Pond, A.R., G. H. Loneragan, T. Brashears, D. Jaroni, M. Miller, L. Lemons and M. M. Brashears. Prevalence of Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma in the summer and fall months. Abstract. Annual IAFP Meeting, Providence, RI. July 22-25, 2012.
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Progress 02/01/11 to 01/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Objective 1. was completed in Dec. 2010 : A modified Delphi survey study was conducted to identify top educational priority areas of small cow/calf producers in the area of pre-harvest food safety. We contacted stakeholders in the beef industry including academic experts, cow/calf producers, feedlot operators and packing plant representatives. Upon completing the Delphi portion of the research, the team sought out expert resources to develop a survey instrument used to ascertain the knowledge level of cow/calf producers in each of the eight contextual areas identified above. That instrument has been created, pilot-test, validated and is currently in the field being used to collect data from the population. Results from this survey instrument will be used to create educational materials that fill the knowledge gaps that exist. These educational materials will then be delivered back to the population. Objective 2. Several (30 in Louisiana and 30 in Texas) small-scale cow/calf operations with varied production practices have been sampled to determine E. coli O157:H7 populations on the farm. The samples included fecal, water, and equipment swabs. Out of the 840 total samples collected from the farms, 153 (18.2%) samples were positive for E. coli O157:H7. Of the 840 samples, 570 were fecal samples, 114 were water samples, 86 sediment samples and 70 were sponge samples of which 104 (18.3%) fecal, 21 (18.4%) water, 20 sediment (23.3%) and 9 (11.4%) sponge samples yielded E. coli O157:H7. A questionnaire was also given to the farmers during each farm visit to assess their production practices. Data analysis is in progress. PARTICIPANTS: Texas Tech University; Louisiana State University TARGET AUDIENCES: Small-scale cow/calf producers, feedlot operators and packing plant representatives. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Through the Delphi process, construct areas were identified as 1) pathogen control on the farm, 2) interventions, 3) impact on the industry, 4) an overview of beef safety, 5) transfer of pathogens to food products, 6) the food safety system, 7) an overview of E. coli O157:h7 and 8) impact on animals and the environment. Production practices questionnaire will be used to determine on-farm practices that could be contributing to pathogen loads in the cattle and on the farm. Collection of samples from multiple farms will help with the determination of prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 on these farms and also identify the major risk factors contributing to pathogen loads on these farms.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 02/01/10 to 01/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Objective 1 was completed in Dec. 2010 : A modified Delphi survey study was conducted to identify top educational priority areas of small cow/calf producers in the area of pre-harvest food safety. We contacted stakeholders in the beef industry including academic experts, cow/calf producers, feedlot operators and packing plant representatives. Upon completing the Delphi portion of the research, the team sought out expert resources to develop a survey instrument used to ascertain the knowledge level of cow/calf producers in each of the eight contextual areas identified above. That instrument has been created, pilot-test, validated and is currently in the field being used to collect data from the population. Results from this survey instrument will be used to create educational materials that fill the knowledge gaps that exist. These educational materials will then be delivered back to the population. Objective 2: This objective is currently ongoing. Several (30 in Louisiana and 50 in Texas) small-scale cow/calf operations with varied production practices have been selected for sample collection to determine E. coli O157:H7 populations on the farm. A total of 20 farms have been sampled in Louisiana and a total of 7 farms have been sampled in Texas. The samples included fecal, water, and equipment swabs. Out of the 519 total samples collected from the 27 farms, 110 (21%) samples were positive for E. coli O157:H7. Of the 519 samples, 311 were fecal samples, 133 were water / sediment samples and 75 were sponge samples of which 50 (10%) fecal, and 20 (3.8%) water/sediment and 9 (2%) sponge samples yielded E. coli O157:H7. A questionnaire is also given to the farmers during each farm visit to assess their production practices. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Small-scale cow/calf producers, feedlot operators and packing plant representatives. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Through the Delphi process, construct areas were identified as 1) pathogen control on the farm, 2) interventions, 3) impact on the industry, 4) an overview of beef safety, 5) transfer of pathogens to food products, 6) the food safety system, 7) an overview of E. coli O157:h7 and 8) impact on animals and the environment. Production practices questionnaire will be used to determine on-farm practices that could be contributing to pathogen loads in the cattle and on the farm. Collection of samples from multiple farms will help with the determination of prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 on these farms and also identify the major risk factors contributing to pathogen loads on these farms.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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