Properties of conventional and alternative bedding materials for dairy cattle

• DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18318
• Publication Date: 2020-06-26T12:58:36Z
• Authors: Patrícia Ferreira...; Gabriel Araújo e ...; Lorenzo Leso; Marija Klopčič; Matteo Barbari; Giuseppe Rossi
• Keywords: Bedding; Barn

The bedding material used in barns for dairy cows has a significant effect on animal welfare and performance. Bedding influences the duration which animals remain lying down and, consequently, processes of rumination milk production. It is crucial to have complete understanding properties materials effects alternative cattle. This paper aims evaluate physical, chemical, biological various conventional cattle use compost bedded pack or freestall barn systems. We analyzed 50 samples 17 produced 3 European countries. physical including water holding capacity, porosity, moisture content, bulk density, dry particle size. Chemical analyses were performed determine total N, organic C, C:N ratio. In analyses, Escherichia coli count, bacteria coliform Klebsiella spp. count assessed. results demonstrated how may influence chemical properties. All presented adequate be as material. differed widely among except no difference. Moreover, contamination each studied microorganism was observed had lowest level contamination. Posidonia oceanica, Miscanthus grass, spelt husks could considered potential both systems (i.e., composted freestall). experiment illustrated importance performing thorough before implementing