Composted Dairy Waste Solids and Crushed Limestone as Bedding in Free Stalls

Abstract

Differences in bacteria counts of bedding, teat swabs, and milk samples of lactating Holstein dairy cows bedded on crushed limestone, freshly composted dairy waste solids, and a 50:50 mixture of dairy waste solids and limestone were observed. Free-stall pens were bedded with each type of bedding, each pen containing six randomly selected cows. Bedding, teat swab, and milk samples were taken at 7-day intervals for 28 days.