HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Morrow, J. L. Articles by Callaway, T. R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Morrow, J. L. Articles by Callaway, T. R.

Effect of water sprinkling on incidence of zoonotic pathogens in feedlot cattle¹

J. L. Morrow^*, F. M. Mitloehner, A. K. Johnson^,2, M. L. Galyean, J. W. Dailey^*, T. S. Edrington, R. C. Anderson, K. J. Genovese, T. L. Poole, S. E. Duke and T. R. Callaway^,3

^* Livestock Issues Research Unit, ARS, USDA, Lubbock, TX 79409; and Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis 95616; and Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock 79409; and and Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, ARS, USDA, College Station, TX 77845

³ Correspondence: 2881 F & B Rd. (phone: 979-260-9374; fax: 979-260-9332; email: callaway{at}ffsru.tamu.edu).

Heat stress and dusty conditions are common challenges for cattle during the summer, and a typical method of alleviating these problems involves sprinkling cattle and pens with water. The effect of sprinkling water on the incidence of zoonotic pathogens has not been previously studied. Four pens of heifers (n = 41) were cooled using sprinklers, and four pens (n = 43) served as controls. Heifers were crossbred Charolais, with white and red hair coats. Sprinkling was initiated when cattle were on full concentrate feed (July). Fecal samples, hide swipes, and BW were collected on d 0, 28, 63, 95, and 98. Average daily gain, DMI, and G:F were calculated, and carcass traits were collected 36 h after processing. Performance data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design, and zoonotic pathogen data were analyzed using ² analysis. Sprinkling tended (P = 0.054) to increase the incidence of fecal Salmonella spp. populations on d 98, but simultaneously tended to decrease (P = 0.058) the Escherichia coli O157:H7 incidence on hides on d 98. The most prevalent Salmonella serovars in this study were Kentucky, Muenster, Meleagridis, and Cerro. Performance measures and carcass traits did not differ between treatments (P > 0.10). Under our conditions, sprinkling cattle with water did not affect the incidence of zoonotic pathogens in feces or on hides.

Key Words: Food Safety • Sprinkling • Zoonotic Pathogens

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. T. LeJeune and A. N. Wetzel Preharvest control of Escherichia coli O157 in cattle J Anim Sci, March 1, 2007; 85(13_suppl): E73 - E80. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]