Source:  Dani Friedland, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 5/20/11

Cattle fed a corn ethanol byproduct may have higher incidence of E. coli O157:H7, according to ongoing research at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service.

The research centers on wet distiller’s grains with solubles (WDGS), which is what remains of corn following ethanol processing. WDGS is occasionally used as a cattle feed ingredient, Public Affairs Specialist Marcia Wood of the USDA wrote in a statement.

In research involving 608 steers, those fed on corn-based feed contained 40 percent of WDGS had significantly increased incidence and prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in their manure as well as significantly higher incidence on hides than those fed no WDGS.

Researchers published some of their findings in a 2009 article in the Journal of Food Protection. Follow-up studies aim to determine the mechanism behind the difference E. coli levels as well as ways to reduce E. coli levels.

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