Abstract
Interest in using recycled manure solids (RMS) as a bedding material for dairy cattle is increasing, but suitable information for Nordic housing conditions is scarce. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of RMS bedding on dairy cow welfare compared to peat bedding commonly used in Finland. We conducted a 2 × 3-month cross-over study with two groups of 24 lactating dairy cows, where first three months one group was housed with RMS-bedding and the other group with peat-bedding and then vice versa for the next three months. We followed integument alterations, cleanliness of the animals and udder health fortnightly. With RMS bedding cows had less severe integument alterations in tarsal joints (p=0.0031) and their udders were cleaner (p=0.0109) compared to peat. Somatic cell count did not differ between bedding materials, but link between RMS bedding and the small number of cases of clinical mastitis cannot be ruled out. Based on this study, RMS could provide an economical and renewable bedding source for Nordic dairy farms, with no major effects on animal welfare.
Highlights
Interest in using recycled manure solids (RMS) as a bedding material for dairy cattle is increasing
The majority of the animals were scored in classes 1 and 2 in the last four assessments included in the analysis: 83.1% in the RMS group and 88.3% in the peat group (Fig. 1)
Cows had lower scores for integument alterations in the tarsal joints with RMS bedding (p=0.0021) (Table 4); there were 2.5-fold odds to less severe integument alterations with RMS compared to peat bedding with the 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4–4.4
Summary
Interest in using recycled manure solids (RMS) as a bedding material for dairy cattle is increasing. In North America, RMS has been used as bedding since 1970’s RMS is used both in deep-bedded stalls and on top of mattresses (Harrison et al 2008, Green et al 2014). Main reasons for using RMS as bedding are decreased bedding costs, cow comfort and difficulties in supply of alternative materials (Green et al 2014). In Scandinavia and Finland, organic bedding materials like wood shavings and peat are most commonly used (Alasuutari 2012, 2013). In the current climate situation, reducing peat production could substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Kärkkäinen et al 2019), which could lead into a shortage in bedding peat availability
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