Bacterial counts on teat skin and in new sand, recycled sand, and recycled manure solids used as bedding in freestalls

Bacterial counts on teat skin and in new sand, recycled sand, and recycled manure solids used as bedding in freestalls.

On modern dairy farms, environmental mastitis pathogens are usually the predominant cause of mastitis, and bedding often serves as a point of exposure to these organisms. The objective of this longitudinal study was to determine bacterial populations of 4 different bedding types [deep-bedded new sand (NES), deep-bedded recycled sand (RS), deep-bedded manure solids (DBMS), and shallow-bedded man...

Sand or Sawdust? Bacterial counts in bedding

Comparison of bacteria populations in clean and recycled sand used for bedding in dairy facilities.

Bedding samples were collected twice from commercial dairy free-stall facilities that used recycled sand and clean sand in both the summer and winter. Collection began on the day sand was taken from the pile (d 0) and placed in the free stalls, and continued for 5 to 7 additional days. The number of colonies per gram of bedding of gram-negative bacteria, coliforms, Streptococcus spp., and Klebs...

What have we learned about using recycled manure solids for bedding?

Organic bedding sources are becoming more expensive and difficult to find. Sand can be considered the ideal bedding source for dairy cows; however, not all producers consider sand a feasible alternative for their operation. Inherent properties of sand can make it difficult to handle in some manure systems. Large amounts of bedding can be obtained from mechanical liquidsolid separation of manure...

Effects of bedding with recycled sand on lying behaviors, udder hygiene, and preference of lactating Holstein dairy cows.

Effects of bedding with recycled sand and season on lying behaviors, hygiene, and preferences of late-lactation Holstein cows were studied. It was hypothesized that recycled sand will decrease lying time and increase hygiene scores due to increased moisture content and organic matter, and thus a preference for the control sand will be evident. Cows (n = 64) were divided into 4 groups (n = 8 per...