Prevalence of Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli and Salmonella in Native Pecan Orchards as Influenced by Waiting Periods between Grazing and Harvest

What is it about?

Cattle grazing on native pecan production orchards is a common practice; however, animal grazing may present a potential contamination source of foodborne pathogens to pecans. The application of waiting periods between grazing and harvest may reduce the risk of contamination. In this study, we monitored the contamination rates of two major foodborne pathogens in soil, cattle feces, and in-shell pecans from cattle-grazed orchards in areas with cattle removed two or four months prior to pecan harvest and not removed at all, with non-grazed orchards sampled at harvest for comparison. Our results have shown that the prevalence of both pathogens in non-grazed orchards was significantly lower compared to cattle-grazed orchards; however, no significant differences in contamination rates of both pathogens among waiting periods, suggesting a limited impact of waiting periods on reducing the risk of contamination

Featured Image