Prevention of Sporulation of Bovine Coccidia by the Ensiling of a Manure-Blended Diet

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Abstract
The potential transmittance of pathogenic coccidia among cattle through manure-containing diets was investigated. Unsporulated oocysts of Eimeria bovis were artificially introduced into a feed mixture (wastelage) containing 60% manure and 40% ground Coastal bermudagrass hay. The mixture was ensiled in incubators at three temperatures (15, 25, and 35 C) for 5-, 10-, and 20-day periods, utilizing .5 kg portions sealed in polyethylene bags. Four samples, including three inoculated and one uninoculated, were ensiled for each time-temperature treatment. This design was replicated three times. Fermentation characteristics, including moisture, pH, and production of organic acids, were determined for each sample prior to and after each ensiling period. Coccidia survival was determined by in vitro sporulation and excystation. All samples exhibited adequate fermentation with average pH values dropping from an initial 5.7 to 4.0 after 5 days. Final total acid values ranged from 6.75% to 7.56% of dry matter, with samples ensiled at 25 C exhibiting a greater (P<.05) quantity of lactic acid than at 15 and 35 C. Oocyst survival was observed to decline with higher ensiling temperatures and prolonged incubation. After 10 days at 35 C and 20 days at 25 C, less than 1% of the oocysts were capable of completing sporulation. At 15 C, however, 32% of the oocysts remained viable following a 20-day incubation period. Copyright © 1979. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1979 by American Society of Animal Science.