Factors associated with the presence of Escherichia coli O157 in feedlot-cattle water and feed in the Midwestern USA

Our objective was to generate hypotheses about associations between management, climate, and the presence of Escherichia coli O157 in feedlot–cattle water tanks and in feedlot–cattle feed. Water samples from 710 tanks on 73 feedlots, and feed-samples from a subset of 504 pens on 54 feedlots, in four US states were tested for E. coli O157. Management and climate factors were ascertained by survey and observation. Escherichia coli O157 were isolated from 13% of the water tanks and at least one water tank was positive on 60% of the feedlots. The factors significantly associated with E. coli O157 in water were greater percentage of cattle shedding E. coli O157 in faeces within the same pen, higher concentration of total E. coli in the water, lack of the clarity of the water, the use of fly traps, the reported frequency of rodent sightings in the pen or alley area, and the weather at the time of sampling. Escherichia coli O157 were isolated from 14.9% of the feed samples obtained from the feedbunks. Factors positively associated with E. coli O157 in feed were higher heat index at the time of sampling, the presence of cottonseed meal in the ration, and the feedlot location (state). Coliform counts in feed, presence of E. coli O157 in water tanks and faecal prevalence of E. coli O157 were not associated with the presence of E. coli O157 in feed.