INCIDENCE OF SALMONELLAE IN FEEDLOT MANURE

Manure from cattle in 11 major feedlots in Texas was sampled during summer and winter months to determine the presence of salmonellae. Both moist and dry samples of manure were collected. Of the 505 pens from which manure was sampled, 49 were positive for salmonellae. Only 2 of the 49 isolations were made from dry manure samples. One feedlot contained salmonellae in 44% of its pens. But no salmonellae were isolated from the manure in two of the feedlots. The frequency of isolating salmonellae from different feedlots varied with the season of the year but the overall frequency was similar for both seasons. Ten salmonella serotypes were isolated with the two most common being Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella anatum. These results indicate that manure in feedlots may have an important role in the epidemiology of salmonellae.; Manure from cattle in 11 major feedlots in Texas was sampled during summer and winter months to determine the presence of salmonellae. Both moist and dry samples of manure were collected. Of the 505 pens from which manure was sampled, 49 were positive for salmonellae. Only 2 of the 49 isolations were made from dry manure samples. One feedlot contained salmonellae in 44% of its pens. But no salmonellae were isolated from the manure in two of the feedlots. The frequency of isolating salmonellae from different feedlots varied with the season of the year but the overall frequency was similar for both seasons. These results indicate that manure in feedlots may have an important role in the epidemiology of salmonellae.