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Applied and Environmental Microbiology, October 2005, p. 6026-6032, Vol. 71, No. 10
0099-2240/05/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/AEM.71.10.6026-6032.2005
Copyright © 2005, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Factors Associated with the Presence of Coliforms in the Feed and Water of Feedlot Cattle

Michael W. Sanderson,1* Jan M. Sargeant,2,{dagger} David G. Renter,3 D. Dee Griffin,4 and Robert A. Smith5

Department of Clinical Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas,1 Food Animal Health and Management Center, Mosier Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas,2 Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas,3 Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center, University of Nebraska, Clay Center, Nebraska,4 Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma5

Received 10 February 2005/ Accepted 24 May 2005

The objective of this study was to investigate coliform counts in feedlot cattle water and feed rations and their associations with management, climate, fecal material, and water Escherichia coli O157 using a cross-sectional study design. Coliform counts were performed on feed samples from 671 pens on 70 feedlots and on water samples from 702 pens on 72 feedlots in four U.S. states collected between May and August 2001. Management and climate factors were obtained by survey and observation. Month of sampling (higher in May and June), presence of corn silage in the ration (negative association), temperature of the feed 1 in. (ca. 2.5 cm) below the surface at the time of sampling (negative association), and wind velocity at the time of sampling (positive association) were significantly associated with log10 coliform levels in feed. Month of sampling (lower in May versus June July and August), water pH (negative association), and water total solids (positive association) were significantly associated with log10 water coliform levels. Coliform counts in feed and water were not associated with prevalence of E. coli O157 in cattle feces or water. Management risk factors must be interpreted with caution but the results reported here do not support the use of coliform counts as a marker for E. coli O157 contamination of feed or water.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Clinical Sciences, 103J Mosier Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506. Phone: (785)532-5700. Fax: (785)532-4989. E-mail: sandersn{at}vet.k-state.edu.

{dagger} Present address: Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, October 2005, p. 6026-6032, Vol. 71, No. 10
0099-2240/05/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/AEM.71.10.6026-6032.2005
Copyright © 2005, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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  • Morgan, J. A., Hoet, A. E., Wittum, T. E., Monahan, C. M., Martin, J. F. (2008). Reduction of Pathogen Indicator Organisms in Dairy Wastewater Using an Ecological Treatment System. J. Environ. Qual. 37: 272-279 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • LeJeune, J. T., Wetzel, A. N. (2007). Preharvest control of Escherichia coli O157 in cattle. J ANIM SCI 85: E73-E80 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Sanderson, M. W., Sargeant, J. M., Shi, X., Nagaraja, T. G., Zurek, L., Alam, M. J. (2006). Longitudinal Emergence and Distribution of Escherichia coli O157 Genotypes in a Beef Feedlot. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 72: 7614-7619 [Abstract] [Full Text]  


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