A large number of cows will produce enough manure to require a significant amount of bedding material. "Whether or not this is an efficient way for them to house their cows depends on many things, including the type of bedding materials that are available and economically priced, and how dedicated they are to managing the bedding to keep it aerated and dry."ĭairies with more than 200 cows may want to consider an alternative to a compost bedding pack barn if they plan to use a compost barn for all their cows. "Each manager has to choose the system that works best for them," she explains. Endres, says answering that question involves numerous factors. Research on compost barns is needed.Is a compost bedded pack barn the best option for your dairy?Īssociate Professor of Dairy Science, Marcia I. Excellent pack management and pre-milking cow preparation procedures are required. The pack can provide manure storage for 6 to 12 months. Stirring aerates and mixes manure and urine on the surface into the pack to provide a fresh surface for cows to lie down on. The pack is stirred (aerated) at least two times each day to a producer recommended depth of 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in.). Fresh bedding is added when the bedded pack becomes moist enough to stick to the cows. Producers use dry fine wood shavings or sawdust for bedding. The stirred pack is sized to provide a minimum stirred bedded pack area of 7.4 m2/cow (80 ft2/cow). The wall that separates the pack and feed alley has walkways to allow cow and equipment access to the stirred pack area.
Compost barns have a concrete feed alley, a bedded pack resting area that is stirred two times a day, and a 1.2-m (4-ft) high wall surrounding the pack. Current design and management recommendations are based on dairy producer experiences. Cows are relatively clean, very comfortable, have fewer lameness problems, and in some cases had lower somatic cell counts (SCC) after moving to a compost barn from tie-stall or freestall barns. Producer experience with well-managed compost barns in Minnesota has generally been positive.
Keywords: Dairy, Housing, Compost, BeddingĬompost barns are a loose housing system that provides excellent cow comfort for dairy cows. Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Compost Dairy Barn Layout and Management Recommendations If you are not an ASABE member or if your employer has not arranged for access to the full-text, Click here for options. Click on “Download PDF” for the PDF version or on the title for the HTML version.
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