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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Kimberly, Idaho » Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #178331
Title: NUMBERS OF FECAL STREPTOCOCCI AND ESCHERICHIA COLI IN FRESH AND DRY CATTLE, HORSE, AND SHEEP MANURE

Author
item WEAVER, R - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
item Entry, James
item GRAVES, ALEXANDRIA - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Canadian Journal of Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/6/2005
Publication Date: 11/1/2005
Citation: Weaver, R.W., Entry, J.A., Graves, A. 2005. Numbers of fecal streptococci and escherichia coli in fresh and dry cattle, horse, and sheep manure. Canadian Journal of Microbiology. 51:847-851.

Interpretive Summary: Livestock are known contributors to of enteric bacteria to surface water. Numbers of fecal streptococci and Escherichia coli in manure naturally deposited by livestock in the field are needed for activities related to bacterial source tracking and determining maximum daily bacterial loading of streams. We measured populations of fecal streptococci and E. coli in fresh and naturally dried manure from cattle, horses, and sheep on farms in southern Idaho. Populations of indicator bacteria in dry manure were often as high as in fresh manure from horse and sheep. There was a 100 fold drop in the population of fecal coliform numbers in dry cattle manure compared to fresh manure in pastures but not for cattle in pens. Libraries of isolates used in bacterial source tracking should include isolates from both fresh and dry manure to better represent the bacterial source loading of streams.

Technical Abstract: Livestock are known contributors to stream pollution. Numbers of fecal streptococci and Escherichia coli in manure naturally deposited by livestock in the field are needed for activities related to bacterial source tracking and determining maximum daily bacterial loading of streams. We measured populations of fecal streptococci and E. coli in fresh and naturally dried manure from cattle (Bos taurus), horses (Equus caballus), and sheep (Ovis aires) on farms in southern Idaho. Populations of indicator bacteria in dry manure were often as high as in fresh manure from horse and sheep. There was a 100 fold drop in the population of fecal coliform numbers in dry cattle manure in pastures but not for cattle in pens. Libraries of isolates used in bacterial source tracking should include isolates from both fresh and dry manure to better represent the bacterial source loading of streams.