Preventing mastitis in dairy cows requires meticulous stall bedding management, focusing on bedding type, depth, grooming frequency, and cost considerations. Environmental pathogens in bedding are a significant cause of mastitis, which can be mitigated through strategic choices in bedding materials and maintenance routines.
Key Points:
- Sand Bedding: Often considered the best choice due to its low bacterial growth, sand provides comfort, reduces hock and knee injuries, and supports hoof health. However, it requires specialized equipment to manage and maintain, especially in lagoons.
- Sawdust and Organic Materials: Sawdust, an alternative to sand, needs to be kiln-dried to minimize bacteria, especially from Klebsiella. While more affordable, it does not match sand in reducing bacterial load.
- Manure Solids: Though cost-effective, manure solids encourage bacterial growth, requiring frequent drying and replacement to prevent moisture build-up and mastitis risk.
- Bedding Depth: Proper depth supports cow comfort, lying time, and milk production. Sand bedding should be at least 6–8 inches deep, while organic beddings in tiestalls should be maintained at optimal levels for moisture control.
- Daily Grooming: Bedding should be groomed at least twice daily to prevent bacterial growth. Low SCC herds typically groom bedding more frequently than high SCC herds, highlighting the impact of grooming on mastitis prevention.
- Cost Efficiency: Bedding cost varies by material and availability, with manure solids being the least expensive option but potentially increasing mastitis-related costs due to higher bacterial risk.
