Feeder Council

A report from the recent NCBA E.coli Summit headlined the Feeder Council meeting, with West Texas A&M University epidemiologist Guy Loneragan explaining research findings and information regarding potential intervention strategies for reducing the prevalence of E.coli 0157.

Loneragan said the ability to detect the pathogenic bacteria has improved, and study results indicate that while very young calves often harbor the 0157 strain, pre-harvest control measures should focus on the feedlot. The bacteria are found virtually everywhere and exposure to infection in the feedlot is inevitable, especially when cattle are co-mingled. The fact that 84% of U.S. cattle are fed in about 1,800 feedlots also makes that phase of production the most likely target for intervention.

According to Loneragan, potential means of intervention include biological measures such as feeding probiotic products – beneficial microbes capable of crowding out 0157, within an animal’s rumen. Promising chemical measures include oral administration of chlorate or neomycin. Feeding of Tasco 14, derived from seaweed, has shown encouraging results in limited tests. Newly developed vaccines also show promise, but require multiple doses.

NCBA environmental issues staffer Faith Burns told Council members that proposed changes to regulations pertaining to confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) may sound the death knell for many operations. Burns said the regulations haven’t changed that much, but they will apply to smaller operations. For many, compliance may not be feasible, due to facility specifications and the required permits, documentation and inspections.

Jim McAdams, Policy Division Vice Chairman, explained the reasoning behind development of NCBA’s Cattle Care and Handling Guidelines. McAdams said the effort was prompted at the request of the Food Marketing Institute.

"We looked at it as an opportunity to revise and update our own guidelines, before somebody else tried to force their ideas on us," he said. "We probably won’t satisfy the radicals, but I think we can satisfy the mainstream. Now, I urge each of you to walk the talk and use good husbandry practices. It’s good common sense."

— by Troy Smith