Colonization and Transmission of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 in Swine

Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other serogroups of Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (STEC) have emerged over the last several decades as a significant cause of food-borne illness in the United States. Approximately 5-10% of people clinically infected by these bacteria develop a systemic disease, hemolytic uremic syndrome, which has a fatality rate of approximately 5%. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that STEC cause some 110,000 illnesses and 90 deaths annually in the United States (Mead et al. 1999). In addition, the economic consequences of recalling large lots of food for public health reasons are significant. Cattle are considered to be the primary reservoir for STEC. Depending on the season, the methods used for bacterial culture and the age of the animals, the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in U.S. cattle ranges from 2-28% (Hancock et al. 1994; Elder et al. 2000). E.coli O157:H7 has also been recovered from other ruminants such as sheep (Kudva et al. 1996) and deer (Keene et al. 1997; Sargeant et al. 1999)

Evaluation of Ankom F58 Filter Bags Compared to Dacron Bags and Beakers for Analysis of Acid Detergent Fiber

Feed and fecal samples were analyzed to compare three methods of determining acid detergent fiber. Each sample was weighed into both Dacron and Ankom F58 fiber bags and then analyzed using an Ankom fiber analyzer. Results were then compared to the Van Soest beaker method. Ankom F58 bags helped reduce washout of small particles associated with Dacron bags, but fecal samples needed to be incubated in detergent for an extended amount of time to isolate acid detergent fiber material. Utilizing a technique that produces correct acid detergent fiber values is important for producers because these values are used as a proxy for calculating total digestible nutrients of feedstuffs

Evaluation of Level of Milk Potential on Nutrient Balance in 2- and 4- Year- Old May- Calving Range Cows Grazing Sandhills Upland Range

A modeling study evaluated the effects of milk production level on nutrient balance in May- calving cows grazing Sandhills upland range during the breeding season. Forage quality of upland range peaks in June and steadily declines in July until November. With timing of forage quality decline and increasing nutrient demands due to lactation, cows were in a negative energy balance in late June and early July prior to deficiency of metabolizable protein. Supplementation to meet energy deficiencies in June and July and MP deficiencies in July with distiller grains that is high ruminally undegradable protein and high fiber energy may be needed in May- calving cowherds. Selection for milk over 23 lb at peak lactation creates deficiencies early post- calving and increases the need for additional supplementation to correct the nutrient deficiency. In an effort to match cow type to environment in the Sandhills and optimize performance, producers should consider selecting against high milk potential

Effect of Urea and Distillers Inclusion in Dry- Rolled Corn Based Diets on Heifer Performance and Carcass Characteristics

Crossbred heifers (n=96, BW = 810 ± 20) were utilized to evaluate the effects of increasing wet distillers grains plus solubles and urea inclusion in a dry rolled corn based finishing diet on performance and carcass characteristics. Heifers were individually fed using a calan gate system with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Factors included distillers inclusion at either 10 or 20% of diet DM and urea inclusion at either 0.2 or 1.4% of diet DM. Th ere was no difference for final body weight, average daily gain, and feed conversion on a live or carcass adjusted basis for either urea or distillers inclusion in the diet. Dry matter intake was reduced with increased urea inclusion; however, distillers inclusion did not influence intake. Added distillers and urea in the diet had minimal impact on performance suggesting supplemental urea in a dry rolled corn based finishing diets is of minimal benefit when feeding at least 10% distillers grains

Johne’s Disease Status of the McNay Sheep Flock

Johne’s disease caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) results in chronic weight loss and eventual death in sheep as well as in other ruminants. The disease has spread throughout the U.S.sheep flock, and it is estimated that 10% or possibly more of the flocks in the U.S. are infected. Sheep can be infected and spread the organism for years before succumbing to the disease. Current diagnostic tests are unable to detect animals in the early stages of infection, and because there is a lack of “known negative” sheep in production settings, the development and subsequent validation of new diagnostic tests are hindered. The objective of this report is to describe the process the McNay flock went through to ensure researchers that this population was not infected with MAP

Injectable Vitamin A Effects on Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis in Beef Calves

Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) is a problematic recurring disease for cow-calf producers. The IBK lesions have been associated with a 7-14 kg decrease in weaning weight compared with calves with no recognized IBK lesions. Given the impact of IBK on production, it is not unexpected that producers are interested in preventing IBK. Preventive practices recommended are often impractical and there is little evidence that vaccines are effective

Porcine astrovirus type 3 is an emerging cause of atypical neurologic disease: Diagnostic cases and infection dynamics on affected flows

Astroviruses (AstVs) are viral agents in the Family Astroviridae that are able to infect and cause disease in a wide variety of host species. Despite the broad host range and ability to cause disease, there are significant gaps in knowledge concerning the epidemiology, ecology, and pathophysiology of a majority of AstVs. Porcine astroviruses (PoAstVs) are distributed worldwide. Five PoAstV lineages (PoAstV1–PoAstV5) have been identified perhaps reflecting diverse origins, interspecies transmission, and recombination events, some presumably with human strains. In the past decade, different members of the genus Mamastrovirus have been associated with neurologic disease in humans, bovine, mink and most recently, porcine astrovirus 3 (PoAstV3) in swine