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The ultimate goals of this research are to identify effective mitigation strategies for cattle carrying different levels of risk for E. coli O157 contamination,as defined by the pen-level prevalence of E. coli O157 shedding, and to disseminate these data to producers in a practical way for direct implementation.</p>
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Objectives of the project include to:
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<li> Estimate prevalence of verotoxigenic E. coli O157 in pens of feedlot cattle and evaluate strategies for mitigating contamination of carcasses from cattle with different pre-slaughter prevalence levels, </li>
<li> Use simulation modeling to propose mitigation strategies for the control of contamination of carcasses during the processing of populations of cattle having different prevalence levels, and </li>
<li> Educate the industry about effective risk mitigation strategies.</li> </ol>
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We will identify 5 pens (cohorts) of feedlot cattle in each of 3 Colorado feedlots as "low pen-level prevalence" or "high pen-level prevalence" for verotoxigenic E. coli O157. </p>
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We will follow the cohorts through processing, and collect fecal, hide, and carcass samples for pathogen detection and identification. Data on feedlot risk factors and slaughter plant contamination mitigation strategies will be collected. </p>
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Stochastic modeling will be used to predict which strategies minimize contamination of carcasses under different conditions,allowing evaluation of the combination(s)of mitigation strategies that have the greatest impact on contamination reduction in processed carcasses.</p>
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Genetic fingerprints of O157 isolates will be analyzed to evaluate possible contamination sources. Information on practical implementation of mitigation strategies will be shared with the livestock industry through the Beef Quality Assurance Program, workshops, presentations and scientific and industry conferences, and dissemination of printed materials.</p>