April 3, 2008

US scientist urges further research on relationship between E-coli and distiller grains

A Kansas State University microbiologist says more research needs to be done on the relationship of distiller grains in cattle feed and the shedding of E.coli, a potentially deadly bacterium.

T.G. Nagaraja, professor of microbiology in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathology at the College of veterinary medicine, said the variableness of distiller grains and natural fluctuations in the animals' shedding cycles makes hard-and-fast links difficult. This is why more study needs to be done to find out why there seems to be an association with feeding distillers grains and the shedding of E.coli.

The latest of four studies at K-State did not show a statistically significant increase in E.coli shedding, said Nagaraja, who was involved in the study. Three previous studies did show an increase during the study, but it was not clear if there was a real cause-and-effect relationship, and if there is one, how it works.

The latest study, which was completed in November, attempted to look at the interaction between distiller grains and grain in the feed, he said. The fact that it showed no statistical difference in E.coli shedding has been repeated around the industry.

Those retellings usually lose sight of the fact that there were three other studies before the one that concluded in November. And to Nagaraja it points to the need for more study to understand what was different.

"It shows we don't know a lot about distillers grains," he said.