A new study conducted at Kansas State University concluded that the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 or salmonella are no different in cattle fed steam-flaked corn and in cattle fed the same with 25 percent dried distillers grains supplementation.

The study, funded by the Kansas Beef Council and National Cattlemen's Beef Association, contradicted previous research suggesting that feeding cattle dried distillers grains, a byproduct of ethanol production, increased the shedding of E. coli in fecal matter.

"Unlike our previous studies, we found no evidence to indicate that dietary inclusion of distiller's grains or corn processing methods have a significant effect on the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 or salmonella in cattle feces," KSU researchers wrote in the report.

Researchers at the University of Nebraska have found that cattle fed 40 percent to 50 percent distillers grains showed increased rates of E. coli, although cattle fed a diet of 10 percent to 30 percent of the product actually had lower E. coli levels than those on an all-corn diet.

USDA also is currently studying the possible link between feeding cattle dried distillers grains and the prevalence of E. coli, with results expected later this year. (See USDA probes possible link between E. coli, distillers grains on Meatingplace.com, Jan. 29, 2008.)

By Tom Johnston on 3/27/2008 for Meatingplace.com