Progress 01/08/14 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Beef cattle producers including cow/calf producers, feeder cattle and feedlot operators. Extension specialists, consultants, beef processing industry representatives, food/agriculture industry professionals and professionals in academia. The education efforts of this project also benefited other individuals that work in close concert with the cow-calf producers such as the feeder cattle and feedlot producers, slaughter and packing facility personnel, and individuals associated with the academic or government agencies. The project specifically targeted small-scale (50 cattle or less) cow/calf producers with limited funds and resources. Additionally, the project had an impact on a diverse group of students enrolled in graduate and undergraduate programs at OSU, who was able to get hands-on experience and increase their knowledge and expertise in the area of food safety, specifically at the farm level. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A state-wide workshop was conducted for the cattle producers and in-service extension agents. The workshop was attended by 87 participants from the beef cattle industry. The workshop was titled: "Managing Farm Health for Public Health". This was a one day conference that focused on zoonotic diseases, the role of cattle farms, and public health. It covered a wide range of topics from the prevalence of E.coli strains in cattle, management of pathogens in cattle, controlling the spread of pathogens at agri-events, perceptions of the public, and talking points for communicating with livestock producers and the public about livestock pathogens. A diverse group of students enrolled in graduate and undergraduate programs at OSU was trained in the area of pre-harvest food safety. They were able to increase their knowledge and expertise in the area of food safety, specifically at the farm level. One graduate student from OSU was able to complete their Master's program through Objective 2. This objective also provided experiential learning for 5 undergraduate students at OSU. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Dissemination of results was carried out through presentations, publications (newsletters, fact sheets, refereed journal articles), traditional contact with stakeholder groups and web-based educational resources in the state. Field days have been conducted as an outreach program to demonstrate, among other contemporary topics, sustainable cattle management. As data was collected and analyzed on this project, it was shared with university extension programs. The data was used to demonstrate to farmers, county agents, and students the best way to manage livestock to reduce on-farm pathogens and increase production. Results obtained from this project were conveyed to producers and fellow scientists through local, regional and national meetings. Abstracts and posters were prepared for presentations at regional and national meetings. Fact sheets and bulletins were posted with links to emerging USDA scientific findings. In cooperation with the OSU FAPC (Food & Agricultural Products Center) and the Animal Science department, flyers and brochures were developed and either posted online or mailed to farmers and producer groups as well as Cooperative Extension agents throughout the state. The results of the study have been disseminated through various avenues including, presentations at regional and national meetings, abstracts of proceedings at relevant conferences, extension publications, newsletters, OSU Sun-up magazine, and OSU extension websites, farm visits, workshops, livestock shows and cattle field days. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1: A Production Practices Questionnaire (PPQ) was developed for small-scale cow/calf operators to assess production practices and provide a measurable outcome. This questionnaire was based on the following risk factors for on-farm contamination of Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli (STECs): Water Source, Feed, Density of the Herd, Cattle Breed and Cleanliness of the Farm. The cleaning frequency of common cattle contact areas such as trailers, alleyways, feed bins, water troughs, chutes, and equipment (tractors and skid loaders) was assessed. Several farms were visited over a period of two years and the PPQ filled out by the farm manager or owner. The responses from these PPQs were used to assess the practices followed on a cattle operation. Objective 2: To determine the prevalence of STEC, samples (fecal, water, sediments, equipment swabs) were collected from Oklahoma cattle farms, for a period of 5 years. Upon a visit to each farm, the PPQ was asked to be filled out by the farm manager or owner and samples collected as follows: Fecal - 15, Water- 3-5 (depending on the water source); Sediments - 2, Equipment Swabs - 2. A total of 1224 samples (from 30 farms) were collected and analyzed for the prevalence of STECs. Prevalence data alone has revealed that cattle feces and water were the two major sources of contamination for STEC, followed by sediment samples. On the other hand, water trough-swabs played a minor role in the occurrence of these pathogens in cattle operations. Statistical analysis to determine a correlation between the farm practices and STEC prevalence revealed that sourcing the water from the river and runoff possessed more risk than municipal water. Risk increased significantly with high herd-density and also when trailer, alleyways, chute, and equipment were cleaned less frequently. These results will be used to provide guidelines to the cattle producers on best practices. Objective 3: Best management practices were identified using objectives 1 and 2 and several beef cattle producers and food industry professionals were trained on pre-harvest food safety and the practices that need to be followed to prevent STEC contamination. The researchers/educators on the project met (in-person and through conference calls) several times to develop a training program on BMPs. The project PIs have disseminated the results of the study through various avenues including, presentations at regional and national meetings, abstracts of proceedings at relevant conferences, extension publications, newsletters, OSU Sun-up magazine, SU and OSU extension websites, farm visits, workshops, livestock shows and cattle field days. A state-wide workshop was conducted for the cattle producers and in-service extension agents. The workshop was attended by 87 participants from the beef cattle industry. The workshop was titled: "Managing Farm Health for Public Health". This was a one day conference that focused on zoonotic diseases, the role of cattle farms, and public health. It covered a wide range of topics from the prevalence of E. coli strains in cattle, management of pathogens in cattle, controlling the spread of pathogens at agri-events, perceptions of the public, and talking points for communicating with livestock producers and the public about livestock pathogens. Objective 4: Effectiveness of on-farm best management practices was evaluated under objective 4. Approximately 30 cow/calf farms in OK were re-visited for sample collection (feces, water, sediments, and equipment). The samples were analyzed for the presence of STEC and data correlated with current practices at the farms. A strong correlation between cleaning practices and STEC prevalence was observed. The farms that implemented good cleaning practices (which included frequent cleaning of cattle contact areas) had fewer incidents of STEC contamination.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Divya Jaroni, Joyjit Saha, Mindy Brashears, Todd Brashears, Renita Woods Marshall,and Buddhini Jayasundera.2018. Identification of Contamination Sources and Assessment of Risk Factors Associated with the Occurrence of Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli on Small-Scale Cow-Calf Operations in Oklahoma and Louisiana. Submitted to Journal of Food Protection.
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Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Beef cattle producers including cow/calf producers, feeder cattle and feedlot operators. Extension specialists, consultants, beef processing industry representatives, food/agriculture industry professionals and professionals in academia. The education efforts of this project also benefited other individuals that work in close concert with the cow-calf producers such as the feeder cattle and feedlot producers, slaughter and packing facility personnel, and individuals associated with the academia or government agencies. The project specifically targeted small-scale (50 cattle or less) cow/calf producers with limited funds and resources. Additionally, the project had an impact on a diverse group of students enrolled in graduate and undergraduate programs at OSU, who were able to get hands-on experience and increase their knowledge and expertise in the area of food safety, specifically at the farm level. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has helped three graduate students receive practical training in research related to food safety and shigatoxigenic E. coli and also contributed to their professional development. It has also provided experiential learning for 5 undergraduate students at OSU. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Dissemination of results was carried out through presentations, publications (newsletters, fact sheets, refereed journal articles), traditional contact with stakeholder groups and web-based educational resources in the state. Field days have been conducted as an outreach program to demonstrate, among other contemporary topics, sustainable cattle management. As data was collected and analyzed on this project, it was shared with university extension programs. The data was used to demonstrate to farmers, county agents, and students the best way to manage livestock to reduce on farm pathogens and increase production. Results obtained from this project were conveyed to producers and fellow scientists through local, regional and national meetings. Abstracts and posters were prepared for presentations at regional and national meetings. Fact sheets and bulletins were posted with links to emerging USDA scientific findings. In cooperation with the OSU FAPC (Food & Agricultural Products Center) and the Animal Science department, flyers and brochures were developed and either posted on web or mailed to farmers and producer groups as well as Cooperative Extension agents throughout the state. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to maintain the project by establishing best management practices guidelines for cattle producers. These guidelines will include basic principles of cattle management such as provision of clean feed and water, sanitary handling of water and waste, proper drainage and maintenance of the environment, and freedom from vermin and pests, along with decontamination strategies, disinfection programs, and possible use of probiotic therapies. We will establish future collaborative research efforts with other universities, especially in designing intervention strategies for the reduction of production limiting diseases and pre-harvest food safety. More training workshops will be held for cattle producers in future where summaries of the results from the project will be presented.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Under Objective 1, data generated for survey-research conducted during the first two years was utilized to assess the production practices employed by small-scale cow/calf operations. These practices were assessed for their effect on contamination of the farms with STECs by correlating them with the prevalence data obtained in objective 2. For objective 3, best management practices were identified using objectives 1 and 2 and several beef cattle producers and food industry professionals were trained on pre-harvest food safety and the practices that need to be followed to prevent STEC contamination. Effectiveness of on-farm best management practices were evaluated under objective 4. Approximately 30 cow/calf farms in OK were re-visited for sample collection (feces, water, sediments and equipment). The samples were analyzed for the presence of E. coli O157:H7 and data correlated with current practices at the farms.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
!Saha, J., K. P. Jayasundera, R. Jadeja and D. Jaroni*. 2017. Logit Model to Assess the Risk of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Contamination Associated with Management Practices on Cow/Calf Operations. OSU Research Week, February 21, 2017, Stillwater, OK.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
7. !Saha, J., K. P. Jayasundera, R. Jadeja and D. Jaroni*. 2017. Risk Assessment of Factors Associated with Occurrence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on Cow/Calf Operations in Oklahoma and Louisiana. IAFP Annual Meeting, July 8-12, 2017, Tampa, FL.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Kountoupis, P. K. Litt, R. Kakani and D. Jaroni*. 2017. Biofilm Forming Capabilities of Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli Recovered from Cow-Calf Operations in Oklahoma. IAFP Annual Meeting, July 8-12, 2017, Tampa, FL.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Lamichhane, P., T. Kountoupis, P. K. Litt and D. Jaroni*. 2017. Biofilm Forming Capacity of Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Cow/Calf Operations in Oklahoma and Louisiana. Annual FAPC research symposium, February 21, 2017, Stillwater OK.
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Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience: Beef cattle producers including cow/calf producers, feeder cattle and feedlot operators. Extension specialists,consultants, beef processing industry representatives, food/agriculture industry professionals and professionals in academia. The education efforts of this project also benefited other individuals that work in close concert with the cow-calf producers such as the feeder cattle and feedlot producers, slaughter and packing facility personnel, and individuals associated with the academia or government agencies. The project specifically targeted small-scale (50 cattle or less) cow/calf producers with limited funds and resources. Additionally, the project had an impact on a diverse group of students enrolled in graduate and undergraduate programs at OSU, who were able to get hands-on experience and increase their knowledge and expertise in the area of food safety, specifically at the farm level. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? This project has helped three graduate students (1 M.S. and 2 Ph. D) receive practical training in research related to food safety and shigatoxigenic E. coli and also contributed to their professional development. It has also provided experiential learning for 5 undergraduate students at OSU. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Dissemination of results was carried out through presentations, publications (newsletters, fact sheets, refereed journal articles), traditional contact with stakeholder groups and web-based educational resources in the state. Field days have been conducted as an outreach program to demonstrate, among other contemporary topics, sustainable cattle management. As data was collected and analyzed on this project, it was shared with university extension programs. The data was used to demonstrate to farmers, county agents, and students the best way to manage livestock to reduce on farm pathogens and increase production. Results obtained from this project were conveyed to producers and fellow scientists through local, regional and national meetings. Abstracts and posters were prepared for presentations at regional and national meetings. Fact sheets and bulletins were posted with links to emerging USDA scientific findings. In cooperation with the OSU FAPC (Food & Agricultural Products Center) and the Animal Science department, flyers and brochures were developed and either posted on web or mailed to farmers and producer groups as well as Cooperative Extension agents throughout the state. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We plan to maintain the project by establishing best management practices guidelines for cattle producers. These guidelines will include basic principles of cattle management such as provision of clean feed and water, sanitary handling of water and waste, proper drainage and maintenance of the environment, and freedom from vermin and pests, along with decontamination strategies, disinfection programs, and possible use of probiotic therapies. We will establish future collaborative research efforts with other universities, especially in designing intervention strategies for the reduction of production limiting diseases and pre-harvest food safety. More training workshops will be held for small-scale cattle producers in future where summaries of the results from the project will be presented. These workshops will continue to train the cow/calf operators on BMPs and their implementation on the farm and also on basic pre-harvest food safety principles. Hopefully, this project will be expanded to include others species of livestock such as sheep, goats, poultry, and swine.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Under Objective 1, data generated for survey-research conducted during the first two years was utilized to assess the production practices employed by small-scale cow/calf operations. These practices were assessed for their effect on contamination of the farms with STECs by correlating them with the prevalence data obtained in objective 2. For objective 3, best management practices were identified using objectives 1 and 2 and several beef cattle producers and food industry professionals were trained on pre-harvest food safety and the practices that need to be followed to prevent STEC contamination. Effectiveness of on-farm best management practices were evaluated under objective 4. Approximately 30 cow/calf farms in OK were re-visited for sample collection (feces, water, sediments and equipment). The samples were analyzed for the presence of E. coli O157:H7 and data correlated with current practices at the farms.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Jaroni, D. 2015. Use of Best Management Practices to Reduce Shiga Toxin Producing Escherichia coli in Small-Scale Cow/Calf Operations. White Paper - Proceedings: Dr. Kenneth and Caroline McDonald Eng Foundation Symposium, Sept. 17-18, 2015, Oklahoma City, OK
- Type:
Other
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Jayasundera, P. K. 2015. IDENTIFICATION OF CONTAMINATION SOURCES AND OCCURRENCE OF SHIGATOXIGENIC E. COLI ON SMALL-SCALE COW/CALF OPERATIONS IN OKLAHOMA AND LOUISIANA
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Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Cattle Producers, Academic professionals, Food Industry professionals Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two graduate (Master's degree) students were trained in research and laboratory analytical skills. The students were able to present their research at professional meetings through oral and poster presentations. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Since this is an integrated project, dissemination of results is crucial and is being carried out through presentations, publications (newsletters, fact sheets, refereed journal articles), traditional contact with stakeholder groups and web-based educational resources in the three states. We anticipate that further dissemination will require 4-6 months after the completion of Objective 4.Results have been disseminated through presentations at professional meetings, through websites and publications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?More samples will be collected and data analyzed. Workshop related to beef safety and management practices is being planned for cattle producers and will be conducted in January, 2016.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Production practices were assessed using on-farm surveys.Factors such as water source, bovine feces, cleaning regimens on the farms and water management were evaluated for STEC prevalence.Fecal and environmental samples were collected from cow-calf operations in Oklahoma to determine the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 and the big six non-O157 E. coli, and also identify potential on-farm contamination sources.Positive samples were screened for the presence ofstxandeaegenes for confirmation as STEC.Prevalence data alone has revealed that 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. Results indicate a 4.4% prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 and 15% prevalence of non-O157 E. coli in Oklahoma. Most prevalent serogroups were O26, O45, and O103 in both states. The use of creeks, dirt stock tanks, and cement/metal stock tanks showed significantly higher (P<0.05) prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 serogroups. Additionally, other factors such as type of feed and animal density may also have an impact on the prevalence of the pathogens in the farm environment.Based on the results (survey and research), guidelines on best management practices and how they relate to food safety, have been preparedfor cow-calf producers.These results will then be used to provide guidelines to the cattle producers on best practices.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Jayasundera, B. P. K. and Jaroni, D. 2015. Identification of Contamination Sources and Prevalence of Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli on Small-Scale Cow/Calf Operations in Oklahoma and Louisiana. Abstract. FAPC Research Symposium.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Jayasundera, B. P. K. and Jaroni, D. 2015. Identification of Contamination Sources and Prevalence of Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli on Small-Scale Cow/Calf Operations in Oklahoma and Louisiana. Oral Presentation. FAPC Research Symposium, Feb, 2015.
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Progress 01/08/14 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience(s) reached includes: beef catlle producers; processors and professionals in the academia and food industry. The project had a direct impact on personnel related to beef cattle operations who either come in direct contact with the animal or work closely with such individuals (extension agents, trainers, educators). The education efforts of this project also benefited other individuals that work in close concert with the cattle producers such as the individuals associated with the academia or government agencies. Additionally, the project had an impact on a diverse group of students enrolled in graduate and undergraduate programs at OSU who were able to increase their knowledge and expertise in the area of food safety, specifically at the farm level. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? A state-wide workshop was conducted for the cattle producers and in-service extension agents. The workshop was attended by 87 participants from the beef cattle industry. The workshop was titled: "Managing Farm Health for Public Health". This was a one day conference that focused on zoonotic diseases, the role of cattle farms, and public health. It covered a wide range of topics from prevalence of E.coli strains in cattle, management of pathogens in cattle, controlling spread of pathogens at agri-events, perceptions of the public, and talking points for communicating with livestock producers and the public about livestock pathogens. A diverse group of student,s enrolled in graduate and undergraduate programs at OSU were trained in the area of pre-harvest food safety. They were able to increase their knowledge and expertise in the area of food safety, specifically at the farm level. One graduate student from OSU was able to complete their Master's program through Objective 2. This objective also provided experiential learning for 5 undergraduate students at OSU. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Since this is an integrated project, dissemination of results is crucial and is being carried out through presentations, publications (newsletters, fact sheets, refereed journal articles), traditional contact with stakeholder groups and web-based educational resources.The results of the study have been disseminated through various avenues including, presentations at regional and national meetings, abstracts of proceedings at relevant conferences, extension publications, newsletters, OSU Sun-up magazine, SU and OSU extension websites, farm visits, workshops, live-stock shows and cattle field days. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We will continue with extension/outreach and disssemination efforts. Plans to create videos on pre-harvest food safety training are underway that will be available to the target audience through the OSU extension websites. Objective 3 and 4 are yet to be completed and could only be accomplished after the completion of Obj. 1 and 2. Completion of Obj. 4 will also require that we repeat the samplings from Oklahoma.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1: A Production Practices Questionnaire was developed for samll-scale cow/calf operators to assess production practices and provide a measurable outcome. This questionnaire was based on the following risk factors for on-farm contamination of STECs: Water Source, Feed, Density of the Herd, Cattle Breed and Cleanliness of the Farm. Several farms were visited over a period of two years and the PPQ filled out by the farm manager or owner. These responses from these PPQs were used to assess practices followed. Objective 2: To determine the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7, the sample collection (fecal, water, sediments, equipment swabs) from Oklahoma was started in May 2013. Upon visit to each farm, the PPQ was asked to be filled out by the farm manager or owner and samples collected as follows: Fecal - 15, Water- 3-5 (depending on the water source); Sediments - 2, Equipment Swabs - 2. To date, 1224 samples (from 30 farms) have been collected and analyzed for prevalence of STECs. Prevalence data alone has revealed that 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. Statistical analysis to determine a correlation between the farm practices and prevalence of STECsis currently underway. These results will then be used to provide guidelines to the cattle producers on best practices. Objective 3: This objective is under-way and the researchers/educators on the project have met (in-person and through conference calls) several times to develop a training program on BMPs. To date, the project PIs have disseminated the results of the study through various avenues including, presentations at regional and national meetings, abstracts of proceedings at relevant conferences, extension publications, newsletters, OSU Sun-up magazine, SU and OSU extension websites, farm visits, workshops, live-stock shows and cattle field days. A state-wide workshop was conducted for the cattle producers and in-service extension agents. The workshop was attended by 87 participants from the beef cattle industry. The workshop was titled: "Managing Farm Health for Public Health". This was a one day conference that focused on zoonotic diseases, the role of cattle farms, and public health. It covered a wide range of topics from prevalence of E.coli strains in cattle, management of pathogens in cattle, controlling spread of pathogens at agri-events, perceptions of the public, and talking points for communicating with livestock producers and the public about livestock pathogens.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Jaroni, D., Brashears, M., Richards, C., Brashears, T., Marshall, M., Pond, A. Management Practices of Cow/Calf Operations and Prevalence of Shiga-toxigenic E. coli: An Overview. Managing Farm Health for Public Health Conference. Shawnee, OK. Nov 12, 2014
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