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The goal of this project is to improve food safety by developing efficient, effective methods to determine the Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella status of pens of feedlot cattle and to reduce the potential that these foodborne pathogens leave the feedlot. Pen testing will reduce time, cost, and labor and avoid detrimental animal welfare effects of handling finished cattle prior to shipping (shrink, dark cutters, and bruising).
Additionally, most conceivable interventions to reduce human foodborne pathogens in feedlot cattle are directed towards pens. Based on preliminary data, a pen-testing protocol has been identified that shows promise as a monitoring tool for feedlot production HAACP programs and as a research tool to identify and test potential HACCP control points. Objectives of this project are to complete validation of this pen-test for E.coli O157:H7 and Salmonella shedding;determine what a positive (or negative) pen test means in terms of length of time cattle may be shedding E.coli 0157:H7 or Salmonella in commercial feedlots; identify potential control points using risk factor analyses;and disseminate results to researchers, industry partners and consumers. This research will provide the beef production industry with effective monitoring tools to be used in HACCP programs to reduce the risk of cattle leaving the feedlot carrying foodborne pathogens.