Influence of Restricted Intake and Reduced Dietary Starch on Colonic pH and \u3ci\u3eE. coli \u3c/i\u3ePrevalence

Ninety feedlot steers were used to test the effects of reducing dietary starch and intake on colonic pH, VFA, total and acid-resistant coliform and E. coli populations, and E. coli O157:H7 shedding. When corn bran and wet corn gluten feed (WCGF), or high moisture corn and WCGF were substituted for dry rolled corn, colonic pH increased while VFA concentration decreased. The corn bran and WCGF diet reduced acid-resistant E. coli shedding. Restricting intake increased colonic pH and decreased VFA concentration, but did not affect acid-resistant E. colishedding. Prevalence of E. coliO157:H7 was not affected by diet or intake