TABLE 1.
Overview of the spore load at the dairy farmsa
| Sample (no. of isolates) | % TS content
|
Avg concn | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤10 | >10-≤102 | >102-≤103 | >103-≤104 | >104-≤105 | >105-≤106 | >106-≤107 | ||
| Raw milk (CFU ml−1) | ||||||||
| Total (18) | 5.6 | 33.3 | 38.9 | 16.7 | 5.6 | 5.46 × 103 | ||
| Milking machine (CFU swab−1) | ||||||||
| Teat cups (33) | 21.2 | 54.5 | 21.2 | 3.0 | 3.84 × 102 | |||
| Cluster (12) | 16.7 | 50.0 | 16.7 | 16.7 | 1.05 × 103 | |||
| Connection point pipeline (6) | 33.3 | 50.0 | 16.7 | 8.89 × 103 | ||||
| Filter cloth (2)b | 50.0 | 50.0 | 1.19 × 104 | |||||
| Collection tank (11) | 18.2 | 18.2 | 45.5 | 18.2 | 5.18 × 102 | |||
| Total (64) | 17.2 | 43.8 | 26.6 | 9.4 | 3.1 | |||
| Green crop (CFU g−1) | ||||||||
| Ensilage (12) | 8.3 | 25.0 | 50.0 | 16.7 | 1.44 × 105 | |||
| Green maize (15) | 6.7 | 26.7 | 33.3 | 20.0 | 6.7 | 6.7 | 2.86 × 105 | |
| Hay/straw (5) | 40.0 | 40.0 | 20.0 | 1.01 × 105 | ||||
| Other (4)c | 50.0 | 50.0 | 1.31 × 104 | |||||
| Total (36) | 2.8 | 13.9 | 33.3 | 36.1 | 11.1 | 2.8 | ||
| Fodder (CFU g−1) | ||||||||
| Feed concentrate (25) | 4.0 | 20.0 | 40.0 | 16.0 | 20.0 | 8.3 × 105 | ||
| Pulp (2) | 50.0 | 50.0 | 2.1 × 104 | |||||
| Other (5)d | 40.0 | 40.0 | 20.0 | 1.0 × 104 | ||||
| Total (32) | 3.1 | 6.3 | 25.0 | 37.5 | 12.5 | 15.6 | ||
a
Total spore counts are expressed as percentages of the samples belonging to a given spore content category after heating at 80°C for 10 min. The number of samples analyzed per category of sample is mentioned in parentheses.
b
The whole filter cloth was recovered for sampling; therefore, concentration is expressed as CFU per gram for this sample category.
c
Other samples included luceme, chopped corn, grass, and ensiled beetroot and leaves.
d
Other samples included soy (2), soy mixed with linseed, cereals, and a mixture of wheat, barley, and linseed.