Safe Bedding Options for Dairy Cows

Bedding is a significant factor in animal welfare and food safety in dairy farms and also impacts

human health. Bedding choices must take into account the suitability of the material for the

barn environment, its effects on animal health and welfare, food safety, and the health of people

working in the barn. Farm self-sufficiency and security of supply can be improved by recycling

of bedding and its eventual use as fertilizer. The goal of the Healthy and Safe Bedding for Dairy

Cattle project is to map the potential risks of the separated manure solids (RMS) when used as

bedding on dairy farms and to find solutions for hygienic treatment to improve its quality. In the

Alternative Bedding Solutions for Dairy Herds project, high bacterial counts have been observed

in RMS bedding and in the barn environment highlighting the potential risks of

RMS. Without research knowledge, uncontrolled use of the RMS can lead to the proliferation

of antibiotic-resistant strains due to bacterial growth and pose a broader threat to society.

RMS are already in use on several farms, and its use can be expected to increase as peat

availability decreases. If the hygiene of RMS can be guaranteed, it can be a self-sufficient,

reliable, environmentally friendly, and economical option for bedding material on farms.

The project also tests the suitability of the straw-lime-water mixture and heat-treated recycled

paper sawdust mixture as bedding for dairy cattle. The tests are mainly conducted under

controlled conditions at Luke's Maaninka research barn, but the recycled paper sawdust mixture

is tested on a private farm. The project analyzes microbes from bedding and air samples

collected from the barn and from the animals’ respiratory tracts, and milk samples to verify the

impact of the bedding on the health of both animals and humans. Potential antibiotic-resistant

genes are also identified, which may cause broader zoonoses and complicate the treatment

of infections. The welfare of cows is monitored by observing their cleanliness, skin lesions,

and lying behavior. The study also includes private dairy farms in North Savo region that have

switched from peat bedding to RMS or other alternative bedding materials.

Research data and results are compiled to reports and instructions to inform farmers about

healthy and safe bedding solutions in different conditions. The project's conclusions address the

necessity and effectiveness of bedding hygienisation. In the long term, the project's results and

related communication will be reflected in sustainable, safe, and profitable bedding solutions

on Finnish dairy farms.