Intervention Strategies for Reduction of E. coli O157:H7 in Feedlot Steers

Authors

Jeffrey Folmer, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Casey Macken, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Mindy Brashears, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Rodney A. Moxley, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
David R. Smith, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Suzanne Hinkley, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

January 2003

Comments

Published in 2003 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Copyright © 2002 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of three intervention strategies on the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in feedlot steers. In both experiments, 432 steers were assigned to one of 54 pens. Intervention strategies were two competitive exclusion products, monthly pen cleaning. In Experiment 2 a diet change treatment was imposed prior to slaughter. No differences in performance or carcass yield were observed for the competitive exclusion products or the pen cleaning treatments, compared to the control. However, changing the finishing diet prior to slaughter decreased steer performance. We also observed a nonsignificant decrease in the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 with inclusion of the competitive exclusion products.