Dolomitic Limestone Bedding Effects on Dairy Manure and Cow Comfort

Charles Clanton, Professor
David Schmidt, Assistant Extension Engineer
Kevin Janni, Professor and Head
Marcia Endres, Assistant Professor, Animal Science
Russ Bey, Professor, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
Ralph Farnsworth, Professor, VVeterinary Population Medicine

Funding Source

Ag-Lime Sales, Inc. St. Paul, MN; Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station

Objective

The purpose of the study was to determine the benefit of dolomitic limestone compared to the challenges of sand-laden manure as related to nutrient management, odors, manure pumping, land application, microbial counts, and cow comfort.

Need or Impact

Using sand bedding is popular in freestall barns. Problems associated with using sand are the difficulties in separating sand from the manure, filling-in of manure storage units, and wear on manure pumps. Substituting dolomitic limestone for sand has benefits of easier handling, agitation, and pumping; increasing soil pH after land application of the manure; possible bacteria control reducing mastitis; and increased traction and few cow injuries.

Project Status

Complete.