Influence of Restricted Intake and Reduced Dietary Starch on Colonic pH and E. coli Prevalence

Authors

Tim Loy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Casey Wilson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Doreen Baily, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Rodney A. Moxley, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
David R. Smith, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Spring Younts, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

January 2001

Comments

Published in Nebraska Beef Cattle Report 2001, published by Agricultural Research Division, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, and Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Abstract

Ninety feedlot steers were used to test the effects of reducing dietary starch and intake on colonic pH, VFA, total and acid-resistant coliform and E. coli populations, and E. coli O157:H7 shedding. When corn bran and wet corn gluten feed (WCGF), or high moisture corn and WCGF were substituted for dry rolled corn, colonic pH increased while VFA concentration decreased. The corn bran and WCGF diet reduced acid-resistant E. coli shedding. Restricting intake increased colonic pH and decreased VFA concentration, but did not affect acid-resistant E. colishedding. Prevalence of E. coliO157:H7 was not affected by diet or intake.