Investigation of Salmonella infection in goats fed corn silage grown on land fertilized with sewage sludge

Abstract

A total of 36 goats were fed for 17 months with corn silage grown on land fertilized with human sewage sludge. These animals were investigated for salmonella infections. Salmonellae were not detected in cultures of fecal or silage samples. No significant agglutination titers were detected in goat sera examined. Salmonella newport C2 was isolated from the sludge used as fertilizer on the cornfields. The public health aspects of the findings are discussed as they relate to the increasing use of sewage sludge for agricultural fertilizers, as well as to the resultant effects on human food and livestock feed.