RE: e. coli in organic food

Wiediger, Alison (awiediger@Hart.k12.ky.us)
Fri, 22 Jan 1999 11:59:44 -0600

The "new" dangerous e-coli only lives in the rumens of cattle that are
on mostly grain diets - i.e. feedlot cattle (or some confinement
dairies). A study by Cornell University shows that cattle being fed on
forage do not carry this organism. Also, cattle that are on feedlots
that are fed forage (hay) for as little as 5 days no longer shed the
organism. Some folks think that feeding hay for a few days before
slaughter makes a lot more sense than irradiating all meat. Also, if
your manure is from animals on forage based systems (pasture and hay),
the e-coli is not likely to be a problem in the manure.

Alison

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jim and Jo at Five Springs Farm [SMTP:fsfarm@mufn.org]
> Sent: Friday, January 22, 1999 9:22 AM
> To: sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu
> Subject: e. coli in organic food
>
> You can call it organic bashing if you want, but there is an issue to
> be
> dealt with here. The biggest problem is the relatively new e. coli
> 0157:H7,
> which is apparently able to survive in a broader range of habitats and
> conditions than other forms. Including the problem that it is not
> broken
> down thoroughly in the human digestive system. Organic folks are
> getting
> the rap for this since many of us do use manure on our gardens. The
> bacteria can live in fresh manure and become a problem in crops that
> it
> comes into contact with. We have had some questions from our CSA
> members
> after a letter in Time magazine made reference to it. This issue will
> not
> be going away, and it deserves our attention.
>
> The best answer, if you use manure in your gardens, is to hot compost
> it
> before putting it on the garden. What I am curious about, and have
> found
> nothing on yet, is 1) is it a problem only or especially in cow manure
> 2)
> if raw manure is put on a garden in the fall before a spring or summer
> crop
> is there still any danger
>
> Jim at Five Springs Farm
> and "The Community Farm" newsletter
> A Voice for Community Supported Agriculture
>
>
>
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