Progress 01/19/06 to 01/18/11
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) 1. Identify exploitable biological and environmental factors that affect pathogen occurrence, survival, or transmission in cattle and swine production environments. 2. Develop and evaluate environmentally safe intervention strategies that reduce or eliminate the occurrence, persistence, or transmission of pathogens in cattle, swine, and their manure. 3. Determine the baseline prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in beef cattle and beef processing plants. Approach (from AD-416) The overall goal of this project is to reduce the risk of foodborne illness, by providing scientific information that can be used to reduce or eliminate the transmission of zoonotic pathogens from animal manure to human food and water. Livestock manure is an important primary source of pathogenic bacterial contamination of the live animal, food products of both animal and plant origin, and water, thus presents a significant human health risk. Approaches include both the reduction of colonization and shedding by livestock, as well as the reduction of pathogens shed and present in the manure. Additional considerations are the preservation of the fertilizer value of manure and the development of procedures that address not only pathogen reduction, but the additional manure problem issues of odor and nutrient management. Exploitable factors, including biological, environmental, and managerial factors, which affect the occurrence, persistence, or transmission of pathogens in cattle and swine manure will be identified, then manipulated and evaluated to determine the impact on pathogens. Strategies and interventions to reduce or prevent the dissemination of pathogens in cattle and swine manure will be developed and evaluated. Approaches will include the use of dietary amendments, feed or manure additives, and waste management systems, as well as other intervention strategies suggested by information gathered in experiments. This is the final report for Project 5438-32000-026-00D, which expired in 2011 and was replaced with new Project 5438-32000-030-00D. Additional information can be found in the Annual Report for Project 5438-32000-030- 00D. Substantial progress was made over the life of this project to identify factors that affect pathogens in cattle and swine production environments and to develop strategies to reduce the occurrence and persistence of pathogens in cattle, swine, and their manure. The overall impact of these accomplishments is the development of information on which to base livestock management decisions and to reduce the risk of transmission of pathogens from manure to human food, water, and the environment. The use of wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) in cattle diets was demonstrated to increase the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in cattle. In addition, E. coli O157:H7 was shown to persist longer in feces and manure from cattle fed WDGS, suggesting a mechanism by which WDGS increases the prevalence of this pathogen. Additional factors were identified that impact E. coli persistence in feedlot manure from cattle fed WDGS, including the type of corn used in WDGS diets, suggesting potential dietary approaches for reducing this pathogen in cattle fed WDGS. Heat and handling stress levels of cattle did not impact fecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7. In addition, current interventions implemented by the beef processors appear to minimize possible transmission of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis to humans via beef consumption. A study examining the use of dietary antimicrobials in swine production demonstrated that dietary antibiotic growth promoters can influence shedding of pathogens, and that the use of dietary antibiotics prior to slaughter needs to be more fully evaluated for effects on pathogen load in swine. A method for the enumeration of E. coli O157:H7 in manures and composts was validated and used to determine the impact of interventions to reduce this pathogen in cattle feces and manure. Research examining essential oils and related compounds suggests that feedlot pen surfaces can be treated with these compounds to reduce pathogens in the cattle production environment. Minimally managed composting of bovine manure can reduce E. coli O157:H7, but periodic turning of the piles is needed for more effective elimination of this pathogen. Soil solarization was demonstrated as effective for reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7 from feedlot pen surfaces. Feedlot runoff control systems with vegetative treatment areas were shown to be effective for reducing environmental risk by containing and removing such pathogens from runoff. Pond ash as a feedlot pen surface, in comparison to soil, does not affect the prevalence or levels of E. coli O157:H7 in cattle or their manure. In addition, there was no negative effect of pond ash use on the microbial quality of runoff from feedlot pen surfaces. Reducing pathogens from manure and runoff is critical because this material can be a source of pathogens for contamination of additional cattle, water, food, or feed crops when the material is applied to cropland. Accomplishments 01 Factors affecting persistence of pathogens in manure from cattle fed wet distillers grains. Corn wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) is a byproduct of ethanol production that is an economical feed ingredient fo cattle. However, research has shown that feeding wet distillers grains can increase fecal prevalence of the human foodborne pathogen E. coli O157:H7 in cattle and increase its survival in manure. ARS scientists i Clay Center, NE, identified factors that impact E. coli persistence in feedlot surface manure from cattle fed wet distillers grains. Levels of coli in 0 and 40% WDGS manure were similar when high-moisture corn was used in the cattle diets. However, when dry-rolled corn was used, E. co persisted longer in 40% WDGS manure compared to 0% WDGS manure. The greater persistence of these organisms was associated with lower concentrations of volatile fatty acids and higher pH in manure from catt fed higher levels of WDGS. This work suggests potential dietary approaches for reducing the occurrence and numbers of E. coli O157:H7 in cattle fed wet distillers grains with solubles, which may reduce the ris of human foodborne illness associated with beef consumption. 02 The pathogen E. coli O157:H7 in deep-bedded cattle confinement facilitie There is growing interest in feeding beef cattle in enclosed deep-bedde confinement barns for improved cattle performance and ease of manure management. However, there is no available information regarding the occurrence of pathogens in the manure/bedding material or in cattle that are housed in these barns. ARS scientists in Clay Center, NE, demonstrated that both E. coli O157:H7 prevalence and generic E. coli concentrations can occur at high levels in the manure/bedding material o these facilities, and can vary with differences in ambient seasonal temperatures. Understanding microbial survival in the manure/bedding material is important because this material can be a source of pathogens for contamination of additional cattle, or of water, food, and feed crop when the material is applied to cropland. Furthermore, this information is needed to develop recommendations regarding the management of these facilities to reduce pathogens, thereby reducing the risk for human foodborne illness.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Berry, E.D., Wells, J. 2010. Escherichia coli O157:H7: Recent Advances in Research on Occurrence, Transmission, and Control in Cattle and the Production Environment. In: Taylor, Steve L. Advances in Food and Nutrition Research. Volume 60. Burlington: Elsevier. p. 67-118.
- Spiehs, M.J., Woodbury, B.L., Doran, B.E., Eigenberg, R.A., Kohl, K.D., Varel, V.H., Berry, E.D., Wells, J. 2011. Environmental conditions in beef deep-bedded monoslope facilities: a descriptive study. Transactions of the ASABE. 54(2):663-673.
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) 1. Identify exploitable biological and environmental factors that affect pathogen occurrence, survival, or transmission in cattle and swine production environments. 2. Develop and evaluate environmentally safe intervention strategies that reduce or eliminate the occurrence, persistence, or transmission of pathogens in cattle, swine, and their manure. 3. Determine the baseline prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in beef cattle and beef processing plants. Approach (from AD-416) The overall goal of this project is to reduce the risk of foodborne illness, by providing scientific information that can be used to reduce or eliminate the transmission of zoonotic pathogens from animal manure to human food and water. Livestock manure is an important primary source of pathogenic bacterial contamination of the live animal, food products of both animal and plant origin, and water, thus presents a significant human health risk. Approaches include both the reduction of colonization and shedding by livestock, as well as the reduction of pathogens shed and present in the manure. Additional considerations are the preservation of the fertilizer value of manure and the development of procedures that address not only pathogen reduction, but the additional manure problem issues of odor and nutrient management. Exploitable factors, including biological, environmental, and managerial factors, which affect the occurrence, persistence, or transmission of pathogens in cattle and swine manure will be identified, then manipulated and evaluated to determine the impact on pathogens. Strategies and interventions to reduce or prevent the dissemination of pathogens in cattle and swine manure will be developed and evaluated. Approaches will include the use of dietary amendments, feed or manure additives, and waste management systems, as well as other intervention strategies suggested by information gathered in experiments. Feedlot diets with high levels of distillers grains may increase the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 shedding by cattle. In 2010, we continued studies to determine if high levels of wet distillers grains solubles(WDGS) in cattle diets result in increased pathogen load on cattle in summer months when E. coli O157:H7 prevalence is typically high, and to determine if switching diets to predominantly corn can reduce the pathogen load. In addition to increasing the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in cattle, diets with WDGS may increase the survival of E. coli O157:H7 in the resulting manure. To determine if WDGS diets impact E. coli O157:H7 on the pen surface, we continued studies to evaluate the persistence of E. coli O157:H7 in feedlot surface manure in pens of cattle fed diets with and without WDGS. Ongoing studies seek to determine if cattle shedding E. coli O157:H7 in feces at high numbers, compared to animals that are consistently negative for the pathogen, are associated with specific differences in the gastrointestinal microflora, specific host genomic factors, immune response, and/or host behaviors. Understanding how distillers grains and other factors impact E. coli O157:H7 in cattle and the production environment is critical for developing approaches to reducing this pathogen in cattle. There is increasing interest in the construction of deep-bedded confinement facilities in the cattle feeding industry for a variety of reasons, including ease of manure management and improved cattle performance compared to open lot feedlots. We completed studies examining generic E. coli and E. coli O157:H7 in cattle waste/bedding material from pens of deep-bedded barns, and determined that both concentrations of generic E. coli and prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in this material can be high. Understanding microbial survival in the manure/bedding is important because this material can provide a source of pathogens for contamination of additional cattle, of water by runoff from the production or storage area, or of soil, food, and feed crops when the material is applied to cropland. We initiated studies to evaluate the influence of a variety of different bedding materials on the populations of E. coli in deep-bedded cattle waste, in order to identify bedding materials that may limit the growth and persistence of these bacteria. The work is part of a larger collaborative effort that is also seeking to quantify and characterize odor emissions from cattle deep-bedded barns, with the goal to develop recommendations for managing these facilities to reduce odor and gas emissions and pathogens. Consumer demand is driving livestock producers to eliminate antibiotics in food animal diets. Providing alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters will prove useful for producers to grow a healthier pig and provide a healthier product. Studies with nursery swine were initiated to determine the impacts of diets containing the natural antimicrobial lysozyme on production performance and fecal shedding of the pathogens Salmonella, Campylobacter, and/or Shiga-toxin producing E. coli, compared to diets with and without dietary antibiotic growth promoters. Accomplishments 01 Dietary antimicrobials and pathogen shedding in swine. Antimicrobials a fed to swine at therapeutic levels to improve animal production. Dietar antimicrobials influence the composition of bacteria in the intestinal tract, but their impact on foodborne pathogens has not been clearly defined. ARS scientists at Clay Center, Nebraska, determined the influence of dietary antimicrobials on fecal shedding of Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Shiga-toxigenic E. coli by production swine, compared to antibiotic-free diets. Dietary chlortetracycline reduced Campylobact prevalence and Shiga-toxin gene incidences in swine feces. In contrast, dietary bacitracin resulted in higher prevalence for Campylobacter and higher incidence for Shiga-toxin genes. In this study, E. coli O26, 010 O121, and O145 were detected in swine feces, and most of these E. coli types were positive for many of the genes associated with ability to cau human disease. However, the presence or absence of Shiga-toxigenic E. coli was not influenced by the presence or type of antibiotic fed. This research demonstrates that dietary antibiotic growth promoters can influence pathogen shedding, and that the use of dietary antibiotics pri to slaughter needs to be fully evaluated for effects on pathogen load. 02 Soil solarization reduces Escherichia coli O157:H7 on cattle feedlot pen surfaces. Soils at the feedlot pen surface are a source for transmissio of E. coli O157:H7 and a target for preharvest control measures to reduc this pathogen in cattle. Solarization is a preplanting pathogen and pes control technique used in food and ornamental crop production, that utilizes solar energy to heat the soil. ARS scientists at Clay Center, Nebraska, determined that soil solarization is effective for reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7 and generic E. coli from feedlot pen surfaces. Generic E. coli levels were reduced by 99.9% after 10 weeks of soil solarization, but remained unchanged in unsolarized soils. E. coli O157:H7 was no longer detectable by 8 weeks of solarization, but could still be detected in unsolarized soils at 10 weeks. Use of soil solarization may reduce the transmission and persistence of this pathoge among cattle and the production environment.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Wells, J., Oliver, W.T., Yen, J. 2010. The Effects of Dietary Additives on Faecal Levels of Lactobacillus spp., Coliforms, and Escherichia coli, and Faecal Prevalence of Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. in U.S. Production Nursery Swine. Journal of Applied Microbiology. 108:306-314.
- Brown Brandl, T.M., Berry, E.D., Wells, J., Arthur, T.M., Nienaber, J.A. 2009. Impacts of Individual Animal Response to Heat and Handling Stresses on Escherichia coli and E. coli O157:H7 Fecal Shedding by Feedlot Cattle. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease. 6(7):855-864.
- Gilley, J.E., Berry, E.D., Eigenberg, R.A., Marx, D.B., Woodbury, B.L. 2009. Nutrient and Bacterial Transport in Runoff from Soil and Pond Ash Amended Feedlot Surfaces. Transactions of the ASABE. 52(6):2077-2085.
- Varel, V.H., Wells, J., Berry, E.D., Miller, D.N. 2010. Manure Odor Potential and Escherichia coli Concentrations in Manure Slurries of Feedlot Steers Fed 40% Corn Wet Distillers Grains. Journal of Environmental Quality. 39(4):1498-1506.
- Berry, E.D., Wells, J., Arthur, T.M., Woodbury, B.L., Nienaber, J.A., Brown Brandl, T.M., Eigenberg, R.A. 2010. Soil Versus Pond Ash Surfacing of Feedlot Pens: Occurrence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Cattle and Persistence in Manure. Journal of Food Protection. 73(7):1269-1277.
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) 1. Identify exploitable biological and environmental factors that affect pathogen occurrence, survival, or transmission in cattle and swine production environments. 2. Develop and evaluate environmentally safe intervention strategies that reduce or eliminate the occurrence, persistence, or transmission of pathogens in cattle, swine, and their manure. 3. Determine the baseline prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in beef cattle and beef processing plants. Approach (from AD-416) The overall goal of this project is to reduce the risk of foodborne illness, by providing scientific information that can be used to reduce or eliminate the transmission of zoonotic pathogens from animal manure to human food and water. Livestock manure is an important primary source of pathogenic bacterial contamination of the live animal, food products of both animal and plant origin, and water, thus presents a significant human health risk. Approaches include both the reduction of colonization and shedding by livestock, as well as the reduction of pathogens shed and present in the manure. Additional considerations are the preservation of the fertilizer value of manure and the development of procedures that address not only pathogen reduction, but the additional manure problem issues of odor and nutrient management. Exploitable factors, including biological, environmental, and managerial factors, which affect the occurrence, persistence, or transmission of pathogens in cattle and swine manure will be identified, then manipulated and evaluated to determine the impact on pathogens. Strategies and interventions to reduce or prevent the dissemination of pathogens in cattle and swine manure will be developed and evaluated. Approaches will include the use of dietary amendments, feed or manure additives, and waste management systems, as well as other intervention strategies suggested by information gathered in experiments. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Feedlot diets with high levels of distillers grains appear to increase the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 shedding by cattle. Current studies have been designed to determine if high levels of wet distillers grains (WDGS) in cattle diets result in increased pathogen load in summer months when E. coli O157:H7 prevalence is typically high, and if reducing the level of WDGS at the end of the feeding period can reduce the pathogen load. Additional ongoing studies seek to determine if cattle shedding E. coli O157:H7 in feces at high numbers, compared to animals that are consistently negative for the pathogen, are associated with specific differences in the gastrointestinal microflora, specific host genomic factors, immune response, and/or host behavior(s). There is increasing pressure on livestock producers to reduce/eliminate antibiotics in food animal diets. Studies with growing/finishing swine were initiated to determine if fecal shedding of Salmonella, Campylobacter, and/or Shiga-toxin producing E. coli is altered in swine if dietary antimicrobial growth promoters are withheld. In addition, the effects of mid-production changes in dietary antimicrobials are being evaluated for effects on pathogen shedding. Terminal ileum tissues from animals fed diets with and without dietary antimicrobials have been collected and examined for susceptibility/resistance to Salmonella colonization and infection. There is increasing interest in the use of deep-bedded confinement facilities in the cattle feeding industry. Feedlot producers are using deep-bedded barns for a variety of reasons, including ease of labor, ease of manure management, and improved cattle performance as compared to open lot feedlots. In addition, with animals under roof and the complete containment of the manure, obtaining new feedlot permits may be less problematic. Current studies will determine the concentrations of generic E. coli and the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in cattle waste and bedding material collected from pens of deep-bedded barns. This information will be correlated to other environmental characteristics (for example, dry matter, temperature, pH) and the odor potential of the material. This information will be used to develop recommendations for managing these facilities to reduce pathogens and odor. Several lines of evidence suggest that the soils at the feedlot pen surface may be a source for transmission of E. coli O157:H7, and as such, may be a potential target for preharvest control interventions to reduce this pathogen in cattle. Experiments currently in progress are examining solarization of feedlot soils as a means to reduce naturally-occurring E. coli O157:H7, generic E. coli, and coliforms from the pen surface. There is a critical need for interventions to reduce the sources of transmission and the persistence of this pathogen in cattle production; in addition, reduction of this pathogen from feedlot surface material will reduce the risk of water and other environmental contamination from runoff, and render this material safe for use as a soil amendment for food and feed crops.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Berry, E.D., Wells, J. 2008. A direct plating method for estimating populations of Escherichia coli 0157 in bovine manure and manure-based materials. Journal of Food Protection 71(11):2233-2238.
- Oh, D., Pan, Y., Berry, E. D., Cooley, M. B., Mandrell, R. E., Breidt, F. 2009. Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strains Isolated from Environmental Sources Differ Significantly in Acid Resistance Compared to Human Outbreak Strains. Journal of Food Protection. 72(3):503-509.
- Varel, V.H., Wells, J., Berry, E.D., Spiehs, M.J., Miller, D.N., Ferrell, C.L., Shackelford, S.D., Koohmaraie, M. 2008. Odorant production and persistence of Escherichia coli in manure slurries from cattle fed zero, twenty, forty, or sixty percent wet distillers grains with solubles. Journal of Animal Science 86:3617-3627.
- Wells, J., Bosilevac, J.M., Kalchayanand, N., Arthur, T.M., Shackelford, S. D., Wheeler, T.L., Koohmaraie, M. 2009. Prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in Ileocecal Lymph Nodes and on Hides and Carcasses from Cull Cows and Fed Cattle at Commercial Beef Processing Plants in the United States. Journal of Food Protection 72(7):1457-1462.
- Wells, J., Shackelford, S.D., Berry, E.D., Kalchayanand, N., Guerini, M.N., Varel, V.H., Arthur, T.M., Bosilevac, J.M., Freetly, H.C., Wheeler, T.L., Ferrell, C.L., Koohmaraie, M. 2009. Prevalence and Level of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Feces and on Hides of Feedlot Steers Fed Diets With or Without Wet Distillers Grains with Solubles. Journal of Food Protection 72(8):1624-1633.
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) 1. Identify exploitable biological and environmental factors that affect pathogen occurrence, survival, or transmission in cattle and swine production environments. 2. Develop and evaluate environmentally safe intervention strategies that reduce or eliminate the occurrence, persistence, or transmission of pathogens in cattle, swine, and their manure. 3. Determine the baseline prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in beef cattle and beef processing plants. Approach (from AD-416) The overall goal of this project is to reduce the risk of foodborne illness, by providing scientific information that can be used to reduce or eliminate the transmission of zoonotic pathogens from animal manure to human food and water. Livestock manure is an important primary source of pathogenic bacterial contamination of the live animal, food products of both animal and plant origin, and water, thus presents a significant human health risk. Approaches include both the reduction of colonization and shedding by livestock, as well as the reduction of pathogens shed and present in the manure. Additional considerations are the preservation of the fertilizer value of manure and the development of procedures that address not only pathogen reduction, but the additional manure problem issues of odor and nutrient management. Exploitable factors, including biological, environmental, and managerial factors, which affect the occurrence, persistence, or transmission of pathogens in cattle and swine manure will be identified, then manipulated and evaluated to determine the impact on pathogens. Strategies and interventions to reduce or prevent the dissemination of pathogens in cattle and swine manure will be developed and evaluated. Approaches will include the use of dietary amendments, feed or manure additives, and waste management systems, as well as other intervention strategies suggested by information gathered in experiments. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Critical research needs were addressed by studies focusing on the impact of wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) in cattle diets on E. coli O157:H7 prevalence, levels, and persistence in feedlot cattle and the production environment. In the first study, manure and feces were collected from steers that were fed a finishing diet that contained either 0, 20, 40, or 60% WDGS (on a DM basis). Higher levels of WDGS were associated with greater persistence of both indigenous E. coli and inoculated E. coli O157:H7 in manure and feces. In contrast, lower persistence of these organisms was associated with more lactate and lower pH in manure and feces from cattle fed higher levels of corn. Greater persistence of the pathogen in the manure and production environment of cattle fed WDGS could result in greater fecal prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 by increasing the risk for recolonization of animals. A second study utilizing 600 feedlot cattle over the growing and finishing periods (total of 245 days) was conducted to determine the effects of feeding WDGS on the prevalence and levels of E. coli O157:H7 on hides and in feces of cattle. Feeding 14% WDGS (on dry matter basis) in the growing ration was associated with slightly higher prevalence for E. coli O157:H7 in the feces compared to animals fed no WDGS. In the finishing phase, animals that received 40% WDGS in their diet had greater prevalence of the pathogen on hides and in feces compared to 0% WDGS. The persistence and levels of naturally-occurring E. coli O157:H7 and generic E. coli in the feedlot surface manure on these pens (0 vs. 40% WDGS) currently are being determined. This work addresses NP 108 Action Plan Component 1.1, Problem Statement 1.1.3. Foodborne illness outbreaks associated with produce consumption have brought attention to livestock manure composts as potential sources of pathogens for the contamination of these crops. Experiments examining the fate of naturally-occurring E. coli O157:H7, Campylobacter spp., Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes during minimally managed on-farm bovine manure composting were initiated and currently are in progress. Four compost piles of each of three different composting format treatments were examined in each of two replicate experiments. Composting format treatments include: (1) turned piles of manure-hay mixtures, (2) static piles of manure-hay mixtures, and (3) static stockpile of manure. One replicate experiment was begun in the fall of 2007, and the second replicate experiment was begun in the summer of 2008 and currently is in progress. There is a critical need for this information in order to understand and improve the pathogen elimination steps in the composting process and, thereby, the safety of these products when they are used as soil amendments in high risk fresh produce crops. This work addresses NP 108 Action Plan Component 1.1, Problem Statement 1.1.4.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Berry, E.D., Woodbury, B.L., Nienaber, J.A., Eigenberg, R.A., Thurston Enriquez, J.A., Wells, J. 2007. Incidence and persistence of zoonotic bacterial and protozoan pathogens in a beef cattle feedlot runoff control - vegetative treatment system. Journal of Environmental Quality 36:1873- 1882.
- Wells, J., Varel, V.H. 2008. Viability of zoonotic pathogens Escherichia coli and Salmonella in swine manure slurries with and without a urease inhibitor and thymol. Letters in Applied Microbiology 46:477-482.
- Animut, G., Puchala, R., Goetsch, A.L., Patra, A.K., Sahlu, T., Varel, V.H. , Wells, J. 2008. Methane emission by goats consuming different sources of condensed tannins. Animal Feed Science and Technology 144:228-241.
- Gilley, J.E., Berry, E.D., Eigenberg, R.A., Marx, D.B., Woodbury, B.L. 2008. Spatial variations in nutrient and microbial transport from feedlot surfaces. Transactions of the ASABE. 51(2): 675-684.
- Animut, G., Puchala, R., Goetsch, A.L., Patra, A.K., Sahlu, T., Varel, V.H. , Wells, J. 2008. Methane emission by goats consuming diets with different levels of condensed tannins from lespedeza. Animal Feed Science and Technology 144:212-227.
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) 1. Identify exploitable biological and environmental factors that affect pathogen occurrence, survival, or transmission in cattle and swine production environments. 2. Develop and evaluate environmentally safe intervention strategies that reduce or eliminate the occurrence, persistence, or transmission of pathogens in cattle, swine, and their manure. 3. Determine the baseline prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in beef cattle and beef processing plants. Approach (from AD-416) The overall goal of this project is to reduce the risk of foodborne illness, by providing scientific information that can be used to reduce or eliminate the transmission of zoonotic pathogens from animal manure to human food and water. Livestock manure is an important primary source of pathogenic bacterial contamination of the live animal, food products of both animal and plant origin, and water, thus presents a significant human health risk. Approaches include both the reduction of colonization and shedding by livestock, as well as the reduction of pathogens shed and present in the manure. Additional considerations are the preservation of the fertilizer value of manure and the development of procedures that address not only pathogen reduction, but the additional manure problem issues of odor and nutrient management. Exploitable factors, including biological, environmental, and managerial factors, which affect the occurrence, persistence, or transmission of pathogens in cattle and swine manure will be identified, then manipulated and evaluated to determine the impact on pathogens. Strategies and interventions to reduce or prevent the dissemination of pathogens in cattle and swine manure will be developed and evaluated. Approaches will include the use of dietary amendments, feed or manure additives, and waste management systems, as well as other intervention strategies suggested by information gathered in experiments. Accomplishments Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in beef. The causative agent for Johne�s disease in cattle is Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), and some clinical research reports that this bacterium may be associated with Crohn�s disease in humans. Beef consumption may be a potential route of MAP transmission to humans, but baseline prevalence of MAP in U.S. beef is unknown. In this study by ARS scientists from Clay Center, over 3300 samples from more than 600 animals were collected at U.S. beef processing plants and examined for this microorganism. MAP was detected in only 0.4% of the younger fed cattle and viable MAP was not detected on any beef carcasses from these animals, indicating that beef from younger animals may not be a significant source for MAP transmission to humans. MAP was detected in 34.2% of older cattle, but viable MAP was detected on only 0.6% of beef carcasses from these animals. Based on this research, it would appear that MAP is widely distributed in older cattle in the U.S., but current interventions implemented by the beef processors appear to minimize possible transmission of this bacterium to humans. NP 108 Action Plan Component 1. 1, Problem Statement 1.1.2 and NP 108 Action Plan Component 1.2, Problem Statement 1.2.3. Runoff control system for containing and removing pathogens from feedlot runoff. Determining the survival of zoonotic pathogens in livestock manure and runoff is critical for understanding the environmental and public health risks associated with these wastes. Scientists at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center determined the occurrence and persistence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Campylobacter spp. in a passive beef cattle feedlot runoff control-vegetative treatment system that utilizes a shallow basin to collect liquid runoff and accumulate solids from the pen surfaces; when an adequate liquid volume is attained, the liquid is discharged from the basin onto a 4.5-ha vegetative treatment area (VTA) of bromegrass which is harvested as hay. Basin discharge transported E. coli O157, Campylobacter spp., and generic E. coli into the VTA soil, but without additional discharge from the basin, the incidences of the pathogens decreased over time. Similarly, the VTA soil concentrations of generic E. coli initially decreased rapidly, although lower residual populations persisted. This work indicates that runoff control systems employing VTAs are effective for reducing environmental risk by containing and removing pathogens from feedlot runoff. NP 108 Action Plan Component 1.1, Problem Statements 1.1.2. and 1.1.3. Treatments to control pathogens on cattle feedlot pen surfaces. Pathogen-contaminated manure accumulates at the feedlot pen surface and can serve as a source of pathogens for additional contamination in the cattle production environment. USMARC scientists at Clay Center evaluated essential oils and related compounds to determine efficacy to control pathogens on cattle feedlot pen surfaces. Field studies were conducted to evaluate a crude extract (linalool) containing plinol and terpineol or thymol on the surfaces of feedlot pens containing fed cattle. In pretreatment and control pen samples, coliforms, generic E. coli and E. coli O157:H7 were observed at high levels in feedlot surface material. Linalool treatments had little effect on coliforms, generic E. coli, or E. coli O157:H7, whereas thymol treatments reduced coliform and generic E. coli counts more than 100-fold and reduced E. coli O157:H7 prevalence in pen surface samples more than 3-fold. This research suggests that pen feedlot surfaces can be treated to reduce the pathogen load in the cattle production environment, thereby removing pathogens for contamination of additional cattle, cattle hides, and runoff. NP 108 Action Plan Component 1.1, Problem Statement 1.1.4. Technology Transfer Number of Non-Peer Reviewed Presentations and Proceedings: 8 Number of Newspaper Articles,Presentations for NonScience Audiences: 1
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Varel, V.H., Wells, J., Miller, D.N. 2007. Combination of a urease inhibitor and a plant essential oil to control coliform bacteria, odour production, and ammonia loss from cattle waste. Journal of Applied Microbiology 102:472-477. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2672.2006.03120.x
- Archibeque, S.L., Miller, D.N., Freetly, H.C., Berry, E.D., Ferrell, C.L. 2007. The influence of oscillating dietary protein concentrations on finishing cattle. I. Feedlot performance and odorous compound production. Journal of Animal Science. 85(6):1487-1495.
- Varel, V.H., Wells, J. 2007. Influence of thymol and a urease inhibitor on coliform bacteria, odor, urea, and methane from a swine production manure pit. Journal of Environmental Quality 36(3):773-779.
- Berry, E.D., Wells, J.E., Archibeque, S.L., Ferrell, C.L., Freetly, H.C., Miller, D.N. 2006. Influence of genotype and diet on steer performance, manure odor, and carriage of pathogenic and other fecal bacteria. II. Pathogenic and other fecal bacteria. Journal of Animal Science. 84:2523- 2532.
- Ferrell, C.L., Berry, E.D., Freetly, H.C., Miller, D.N. 2006. Influence of genotype and diet on steer performance, manure odor, and carriage of pathogenic and other fecal bacteria. I. Animal performance. Journal of Animal Science. 84:2515-2522.
- Miller, D.N., Berry, E.D., Wells, J.E., Ferrell, C.L., Archibeque, S.L., Freetly, H.C. 2006. Influence of genotype and diet on steer performance, manure odor, and carriage of pathogenic and other fecal bacteria. III. Odorous compound production. Journal of Animal Science. 84:2533-2545.
- Varel, V.H., Miller, D.N., Berry, E.D. 2006. Incorporation of thymol into corncob granules for reduction of odor and pathogens in feedlot cattle waste. Journal of Animal Science. 84(2):481-487.
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Progress Report 1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? Livestock manure is an important primary source of pathogenic bacteria contamination of the live animal, food products of both animal and plant origin, and water, thus presents a significant human health risk. The primary goal of this project is to prevent the transmission of zoonotic pathogens from animal manure to human food and water. Specific objectives of the project are to identify exploitable biological and environmental factors that affect pathogen occurrence, survival, or transmission in manure and the cattle and swine production environments, and develop and evaluate environmentally safe strategies that reduce or eliminate the occurrence, persistence, or transmission of pathogens in cattle, swine, and their manure. Food- and waterborne bacterial disease is a serious public
health problem. The CDC has estimated that foodborne disease may result in as many as 76 million illnesses and 5000 deaths in the U.S. each year. In addition to human illnesses, food safety problems can cause economic losses to producers, processors, and consumers, and jeopardize the international competitiveness of the U.S. agriculture industry. The accumulation of knowledge of the important biological and environmental contributors to pathogen occurrence in livestock and manure, along with the development of procedures to reduce the occurrence and transmission of zoonotic pathogens in livestock manure, will contribute to a safer food and water supply and a lower risk of human foodborne illness. This research addresses several goals of the National Program 108 Food Safety Action Plan, including the Preharvest Pathogen Reduction Components 1.1.2 (Epidemiology), 1.1.3 (Ecology, host-pathogen, and chemical residue relationships), and 1.1.4 (Intervention strategies). 2. List by year
the currently approved milestones (indicators of research progress) Year 1 (FY 2006): Examine the occurrence, persistence, and transmission to cattle of naturally-contaminating E. coli O157 in feedlot pen surface soils during the feeding period. Determine the occurrence, transmission, and persistence of zoonotic pathogens in a passive beef feedlot runoff control-vegetative treatment system. Evaluate the influence of the swine diet supplements carbadox and copper sulfate on the gastrointestinal microflora and the shedding of Salmonella and Campylobacter in nursery swine. Determine the effectiveness of plant phenolics to reduce E. coli O157 and Salmonella in cattle and swine feces. Determine if and how manure amendments to conserve nitrogen (e.g., urease inhibitors) impact the effectiveness of thymol and other essential oils to inactivate pathogens in livestock manure. Examine the ability of thymol granules to reduce E. coli O157 in feedlot soils. Year 2 (FY 2007): Examine the
transmission of E. coli O157 from soils to cattle and E. coli O157 prevalence in/on cattle and in feedlot soils of existing feedlot pens and in newly-constructed pens that have not held cattle. Continue experiments to determine the occurrence, transmission, and persistence of zoonotic pathogens in a passive beef feedlot runoff control-vegetative treatment system. Examine how dietary antimicrobial management strategies utilized in growing-finishing swine affect gastrointestinal microflora and pathogen shedding in these swine. Determine the impacts of growing-finishing swine rations containing significant dietary fermentable fiber on gastrointestinal microflora and pathogen shedding in these swine. Determine the effectiveness of natural antimicrobial phenolic acid compounds as a potential preharvest food safety intervention in cattle. Continue experiments to determine if and how manure amendments to conserve nitrogen (e.g., urease inhibitors) impact the effectiveness of thymol and other
essential oils to inactivate pathogens in livestock manure. Complete experiments examining the ability of thymol granules to reduce E. coli O157 in feedlot soils. Conduct studies examining the use of soil solarization as a means to reduce E. coli O157 from feedlot soils. Year 3 (FY 2008): Complete experiments examining the transmission of E. coli O157 from soils to cattle and E. coli O157 prevalence in/on cattle and in feedlot soils of existing feedlot pens and in newly-constructed pens that have not held cattle. Continue experiments to determine the occurrence, transmission, and persistence of zoonotic pathogens in a passive beef feedlot runoff control-vegetative treatment system. Continue experiments examining how dietary antimicrobial management strategies utilized in growing-finishing swine affect gastrointestinal microflora and pathogen shedding in these swine. Continue experiments examining the impacts of growing-finishing swine rations containing significant dietary fermentable
fiber on gastrointestinal microflora and pathogen shedding in these swine. Identify and evaluate additional antimicrobials for reduction of E. coli O157, Salmonella, and other pathogens in cattle and swine feces. Determine the effectiveness of natural antimicrobial phenolic acid compounds as a potential preharvest food safety intervention in swine. Complete experiments to determine if and how manure amendments to conserve nitrogen (e.g., urease inhibitors) impact the effectiveness of thymol and other essential oils to inactivate pathogens in livestock manure. As indicated, identify and evaluate additional antimicrobial compounds for use to reduce pathogens in livestock manure, in combination with nitrogen-conserving and odor-reducing manure amendments. Complete studies examining the use of soil solarization as a means to reduce E. coli O157 from feedlot soils. Year 4 (FY 2009): Determine a role for feedlot soils in the transmission of E. coli O157 to cattle, utilizing pens that are
floored with E. coli O157-positive and E. coli O157-negative soil. Complete experiments to determine the occurrence, transmission, and persistence of zoonotic pathogens in a passive beef feedlot runoff control-vegetative treatment system. Complete experiments examining how dietary antimicrobial management strategies utilized in growing-finishing swine affect gastrointestinal microflora and pathogen shedding in these swine. Continue experiments examining the impacts of growing-finishing swine rations containing significant dietary fermentable fiber on gastrointestinal microflora and pathogen shedding in these swine. Continue experiments to determine the effectiveness of natural antimicrobial phenolic acid compounds as a potential preharvest food safety intervention in swine. Complete studies to identify and evaluate additional antimicrobial compounds for use to reduce pathogens in livestock manure, in combination with nitrogen-conserving and odor-reducing manure amendments. As
indicated by previous experiments, identify and evaluate additional soil sterilization methods to reduce pathogens from feedlot soils, and perform field studies. Year 5 (FY 2010): Complete studies to determine a role for feedlot soils in the transmission of E. coli O157 to cattle, utilizing pens that are floored with E. coli O157-positive and E. coli O157-negative soil. Complete experiments examining the impacts of growing-finishing swine rations containing significant dietary fermentable fiber on gastrointestinal microflora and pathogen shedding in these swine. Complete experiments to determine the effectiveness of natural antimicrobial phenolic acid compounds as a potential preharvest food safety intervention in swine. As indicated by previous experiments, perform field tests to determine how manure amendments to conserve nitrogen (e.g., urease inhibitors) impact the effectiveness of thymol and other essential oils to inactivate pathogens in livestock manure. As indicated by
previous experiments, identify and evaluate additional soil sterilization methods to reduce pathogens from feedlot soils, and perform field studies. 4a List the single most significant research accomplishment during FY 2006. This project was initiated in January 2006 and there are no significant accomplishments yet to report. 5. Describe the major accomplishments to date and their predicted or actual impact. This is a new project; none to report. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? This is a new project; none yet to report. 7. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). This is a new project; none
yet to report.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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