08/06/08 E coli and DFM

E. coli is always a hot topic in food safety discussions, but sometimes the news is positive. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be back in one minute with some comments. Just about anytime E. coli and beef are mentioned together it is at the top of the news hours or on the front page telling of a beef recall caused by E. coli contamination. So to me, any article I find about E. coli reduction investigations or experiments are worthy to read and talk about. I did find an article in the Western Livestock Reporter newspaper from allaboutfeed.net and went to the website to read more about an E. coli reduction experiment. A research team from the College of Agriculture at North Dakota State University studied the benefits of Direct Fed Microbial (DFM) products in reducing E. coli population in feedlot cattle. The steers used in the trial were fed Lactobacillus Acidophilus BT 1386 and the results were very promising. The study showed a 32 per cent reduction in fecal shedding of that infamous bad actor E. coli 0157:H7 for the treated steers over the control steers. An added bonus feeding Direct Fed Microbials was reducing the probability of new Salmonella infections in treated cattle in contrast to control steers. I didn't see any statement as to cost of the additive, but it would have to be very expensive not be a benefit when compared to a negative E. coli beef recall news story. I'm Jeff Keane.