Progress 07/01/06 to 06/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Dairy housing systems utilizing a composted bedding pack are of considerable interest to the dairy industry in the Midwest. Compost barns are a viable alternative to freestall barns due to enhanced cow comfort plus a reduced investment in building and manure storage costs. Management of the pack is the most critical element to success within such a system. In particular, the bedding surface must provide a clean, dry place for the dairy cow to lie down. Stirring the pack on a daily basis removes manure and urine from the bedding surface and restores porosity to the pack, allowing for a faster composting process. Recommendations for tillage depth and method have been empirically based. This study compares different tillage methods and depths within a composting bedding system. The UWRF dairy farm (Lab Farm #1) has been used for this experiment. Two loafing shed barns provided housing for the lactating herd (65 cows) and both sheds utilize composted bedding packs. Over the duration of the project, three tillage methods have been compared. Methods are termed shallow (roto-tiller at 6 inch depth), moderate (field cultivator at 10-12 inch depth), and deep (moderate tillage plus incorporates use of chisel plow at 18 inch depth). Data collected include pack depth, pack temperature, clinical mastitis incidence, and other variables related to the pack itself or resulting milk quality. Data have been collected to date within two complete trials, each trial running for at least 12 weeks. Trial #1 compared shallow tillage to deep tillage and trial #2 compared deep tillage to moderate tillage. Statistical analysis has not been performed to date. It appears, however, that the composting process is less effective within the shallow treatment, as measured by lower pack temperatures and greater surface moisture. The UWRF dairy farm relocated in October of 2007-2008. The project has been at a standstill since the change from the old to the new farm. The results overall have not changed from the last CRIS report in 2007. Tillage trials will be reinitiated after the herd has become better acclimated to the new facility. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Steven Kelm: UW - River Falls; Dr. Larry Baumann: UW - River Falls; Mr. Paul Kivlin: UW - River Falls; Mr. Bill Connolly: UW - River Falls; Dr. David Kammel: UW - Madison TARGET AUDIENCES: Individual dairy producers agricultural professionals PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Project was held up due to construciton of new facility.
Impacts
Currently, there is no published data from controlled studies regarding different management/tillage techniques for composting bedded pack barns. The results of this project will assist in the formation of science-based, best management practices for managing this particular housing system on a daily basis.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Dairy housing systems utilizing a composted bedding pack are of considerable interest to the dairy industry in the Midwest. Compost barns are a viable alternative to freestall barns due to enhanced cow comfort plus a reduced investment in building and manure storage costs. Management of the pack is the most critical element to success within such a system. In particular, the bedding surface must provide a clean, dry place for the dairy cow to lie down. Stirring the pack on a daily basis removes manure and urine from the bedding surface and restores porosity to the pack, allowing for a faster composting process. Recommendations for tillage depth and method have been empirically based. This study compares different tillage methods and depths within a composting bedding system. The UWRF dairy farm (Lab Farm #1) has been used for this experiment. Two loafing shed barns provided housing for the lactating herd (65 cows) and both sheds utilize composted bedding packs. Over the
duration of the project, three tillage methods have been compared. Methods are termed shallow (roto-tiller at 6 inch depth), moderate (field cultivator at 10-12 inch depth), and deep (moderate tillage plus incorporates use of chisel plow at 18 inch depth). Data collected include pack depth, pack temperature, clinical mastitis incidence, and other variables related to the pack itself or resulting milk quality. Data have been collected to date within two complete trials, each trial running for at least 12 weeks. Trial #1 compared shallow tillage to deep tillage and trial #2 compared deep tillage to moderate tillage. Statistical analysis has not been performed to date. It appears, however, that the composting process is less effective within the shallow treatment, as measured by lower pack temperatures and greater surface moisture. The UWRF dairy farm relocated in October of 2007. Tillage trials will be reinitiated after the herd has become better acclimated to the new facility
PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Steven Kelm UW River Falls Dept. Animal and Food Science 410 S. Third Street River Falls, WI 54022 Dr larry Bauman UW River Falls Dept. Animal and Food Science 410 S. Third Street River Falls, WI 54022 Dr. Paul Kivlin UW River Falls RDI 410 S. Third Street River Falls, WI 54022 Dr. Bill Connelly UW River Falls Dept. Animal and Food Science 410 S. Third Street River Falls, WI 54022
TARGET AUDIENCES: Dairy Producers
Impacts
Currently, there is no published data from controlled studies regarding different management/tillage techniques for composting bedded pack barns. The results of this project will assist in the formation of science-based, best management practices for managing this particular housing system on a daily basis.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Trial #1 has been completed and the data are in process of summarization. Trial number 1 compared a deep tillage method against a shallow tillage method. Data collected includes the following: a) Cow hygiene (udder and low leg)' b) Incidence of new clinical mastitis infections and species of mastitis organism; c) Bacterial species type and population in bedding during use; d) Internal temperature of bedded pack (9 sites within each barn - 3 depths within each site when possible); e) Moisture content of bedded pack (9 sites within each barn); f) Bedding, labor, tractor, and tillage equipment costs associated with bedding management (approximate); g) Bulk density of the pack; h) Depth of the pack Trial #2 will collect the same information as listed above, but will compare a moderate tillage method with the shallow tillage method. Trial #3 will compare the deep tillage and moderate tillage. Trials #2 and #3 will be completed prior to June 30, 2007.
Impacts
Usage of composted bedded pack barns for adult dairy cattle housing has been gaining popularity in recent years. Potential advantages of this housing system include an increased level of comfort afforded to the cow (animal welfare issue and a production issue), a lower level of investment by the dairy producer looking to expand to a moderate herdsize (typically < 200 cows), and waste management based upon composting of organic materials rather than storage of liquid manure. The daily maintenance of the bedded pack is critical to the success of the housing system. Little research has been directed at determining the appropriate tillage depth/method for the daily stirring of the pack. Tillage method may impact the composting process, thus influencing bacterial growth within the bedding material and hygiene of the animals housed therein. As animal hygiene and the control of bacterial growth is critical for the maintenance of a healthy herd of dairy cattle, dairy
producers must be provided with appropriate information on best practices to be used for daily maintenance of the pack. This research attempts to provide this type of information.
Publications
- None. Project is ongoing with data collection for the entire project (6 separate trials) expected to be completed by June 30, 2008.
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