Comfort and Hygiene of Dairy Cows Lying on Bedding Limestone vs. Separated Solids

Abstract

The use of inorganic types of bedding for freestalls has increased in recent years. Dolomite limestone (DL) has been increasing in popularity. Alternatively, reclaimed manure solids (RMS), is of interest to many dairy producers. The objective of this experiment was to compare the effects of DL, and RMS on bacterial growth in bedding and on udder health, hygiene, and comfort of dairy cows. Four pens with 104 ± 2 cows each were used in a switch-back design (2 one-month periods). Fresh bedding was applied every 2 d. Cow comfort quotient (proper stall use as a percentage of cows) tended to be greater for cows in stalls bedded with DL (82 vs. 80%, P = 0.16). Cow cleanliness was greater (1.8 vs. 2.0, P < 0.10), and hock injury scores decreased (0.9 vs. 0.8, P < 0.10) in cows bedded with RMS. Within fresh DL, counts of Streptococcus and coliforms were less than 0.1 % of those found in RMS. Streptococcus and coliform counts were decreased in DL bedding compared with RMS (P < 0.01). Milk production, milk components, and somatic cell counts were unaffected by bedding type. Staphylococcus spp and Streptococcus nonagalactiae counts were decreased in milk from cows bedded with DL (P < 0.05), although coliforms and Staphylococcus aureus tended to be greater (P < 0.2). Both bedding types provided satisfactory performance, but RMS improved cow cleanliness and hock condition and DL provided better control of environmental species of bacteria in bedding of freestalls for dairy cows.