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

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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 6 randomly selected cows. Bedding, teat swab and milk samples were taken at 7-day intervals for 28 days. Each sample was tested for the presence and enumeration of Escherichia coli, Enterobacter, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and streptococci. Bedding samples also were tested for pH. The limestone treatment resulted in lower bacteria counts in bedding, teat swabs and milk than other treatments. There was no significant difference in bacterial counts between the dairy waste solids and the 50:50 mixture treatments. The pH of each bedding material appeared to affect bacterial counts.