Chemical and Physical Properties of Organic Bedding Materials

Abstract

Highlights Finely ground particles absorb more water than medium or coarse particles. Corn stover and wheat straw have highest water holding capacity and a moderate rate of evaporative water loss. Corn cobs absorb the least amount of water but retain the water longer than other bedding materials. Corn stover, wheat straw, and soybean stover have highest fertilizer value. Considering all characteristics, wheat straw, corn stover, and soybean stover are the most favorable materials to use in livestock housing systems. Abstract. Physical and chemical characteristics of organic bedding materials determine how well they will absorb and retain moisture and may influence the environment in livestock facilities where bedding is used. The objective of this study was to determine water holding capacity (WHC) and rate of evaporative water loss (EWL) of organic materials used as bedding in livestock facilities. Corn stover, soybean stover, wheat straw, switch grass, paper, corn cobs, and wood (pine and cedar) were evaluated; coarse, medium, and fine particle sizes of each bedding material were measured. The WHC was determined by submerging bedding materials in permeable nylon bags for 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, and 30 min, and 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. Generally, finely ground particles had higher WHC (P < 0.05) than the medium or coarsely ground particles of the same material. Corn stover (3.2 g g-1) and wheat straw (3.3 g g-1) had the highest WHC. Switch grass, dry cedar, green cedar, and corn cobs (1.4, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.9 g g-1, respectively) absorbed the least amount of water. Corn cobs retained water the longest when EWL was measured at 100°C, 25°C, and 15°C (6.0, 33.0, and 38.1 days, respectively). Based on N, P, and K content, corn stover, wheat straw, and soybean stover bedding had the highest fertilizer value of the bedding materials studied. Considering all characteristics, wheat straw, corn stover, and soybean stover are the most favorable bedding materials to use in livestock housing systems. Keywords: Bulk density, Corn stover, Evaporative water loss, Soybean stover, Switch grass, Water holding capacity, Wheat straw, Wood chips.