Abstract
Changes in mastitis-causing pathogens, pH and water content in composted manure solids (CMS) prepared from digested slurry were evaluated during turning at 2-day intervals for 8days (C1-C4). The numbers of streptococci, coagulase-negative staphylococci and coliforms were 2.6×101 , 1.7×102 and 1.0×101 colony-forming units (cfu)/g in CMS (C4) (summer), and these counts were markedly lower (P<0.05) than those in CMS (C0 and C1). The bacterial counts ranged from 101 to 1.7×102 cfu/g in CMS (C4) (summer) and were within approved levels, <1×106 cfu/g, indicating a minimal mastitis risk. The temperatures in CMS (C1-C4) increased to 63°C-74°C in summer and 67°C-70°C in winter. The mean pH values in CMS (C0-C4) were 9.2 in summer and 8.7 in winter, and water contents ranged from 61.7% to 69.6% in summer and 73.2% to 66.2% in winter. The significant decrease of pathogenic bacteria in CMS appears to be closely related to temperature >63°C for 8days, pH 8.7-9.2, and water content 62% to 73%. This study demonstrates that prepared CMS has value as a recycled material with the potential to alleviate udder health issues in dairy cows.
Published Version
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