May 29, 2007

Canadian scientists reveal rope can detect E.coli on cattle feedlots

Hanging pieces of rope in feedlot cattle pens can be a fast and convenient way to discover E.coli O157:H7 before they can be slaughtered, Canadian scientists revealed.

According to scientist Margaret McFall of Alberta Agriculture and Foods, putting something strange such as rope will attract animals which will in turn rub and chew on it where E.coli in their mouth can be transferred.

McFall said ropes were tested the day of slaughter for E.coli, with fecal and hide samples taken to compare with the rope samples. The research hopes that cattle from pens that are identified as having potentially high levels of E. coli could be managed differently, controlling the spread of the bacteria.