John Smith
Joe Heimlich
Serena Howard Dresbach
This fact sheet, one in a series, reports data from a study that examined newsprint as an alternative bedding material for farm animals. The study was funded in part by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Litter Prevention and Recycling.
The study addressed newsprint with black ink and examined the supply of newsprint in Ohio, effects of the paper as a bedding, as well as the absorption and decomposition. The bedding was evaluated on management and disposal, animal behavior, and aesthetics.
The newsprint bedding was shredded into small bales. Evaluators commented on the ease of use, stall maintenance, storage and disposal of the newsprint. They also observed animal behavior such as grazing on the newsprint, grooming of the animals and insulation qualities. The general appearance of barns and fields was qualitatively assessed as to dust levels and stall and barn appearance
One major concern for American livestock operations is safe bedding for the animals. The use of recycled newspaper for bedding is becoming a wellknown and accepted practice. Newspapers have been used over time as bedding for small animals. Most newsprint bedding has been chopped or shredded. For livestock in pens (particularly cattle and swine), the newspapers do not have to be chopped or shredded.
There are 2.7 million newspapers printed daily in Ohio and 3.1 million on Sunday. In addition, there are approximately 100,000 daily college and university papers printed on any given Friday in the academic year. Approximately one in three people in Ohio receive a daily newspaper. While many newspapers are recycled to the paper stream, much of the newsprint supply can be used for other purposes. A feasible alternative use for a portion of this supply is bedding for livestock.
The concern with newsprint has been the safety of ink. Since lead was banned as an ingredient in 1985, absorption of ink ingredients is no longer a threat. Once the ink has dried, it is no longer an inhalation concern. Injection of inks used on newsprint is not considered toxic because the ink is not toxic in its liquid form or dry state. Currently, non-toxic soy ink (ink made from a soybean base) is growing in popularity among newspaper printers.
It may be a problem to access a supply of newsprint. Collection programs may already be in place near a livestock production area and can be used to supply newspapers for bedding. If a collection program is not in place, a simple collection program may be started. Preparation of whole newsprint includes separating the colored "slicks" or advertisements from the newsprint. This is laborintensive but not impossible.
Group livestock pens, referred to as pack pens, can hold several animals. These pens are popular for cattle or swine. Whole newspapers are feasible to use in livestock pens, while chopped or shredded paper is preferable for tie stall or free stalls.
Bedding and maintaining pack pens is easier when the animals are removed from the pen. Usually bedding is spread on top of older bedding to create a manure "pack" or base. This pack or base is cleaned out only a few times per year. The pack area is scraped clean with a tractor and loader. The material is put into a manure spreader and applied to a field. This cleaning is labor-intensive and mechanically intensive only a few times a year. Whole newsprint is not recommended for barn cleaning systems because it can clog the system.
Compared to other bedding types, newsprint absorbency is very good. Once exposed to manure, newsprint decomposes quickly compared to other bedding types.
Whole newsprint bundles and transports well because of the larger size. The larger size also decreases the amount of litter lost in transportation.
For use in the pens, newsprint can be spread by humans or livestock. Some livestock producers spread the newsprint using a PTO-driven manure spreader. The uniform depth contributes to absorption rates and insulation.
Using whole newsprint may cause problems, depending on barn management style. Whole newsprint is best for pack pens, but not recommended for tie stall or free stalls. The type of livestock production may influence whether or not whole newsprint is a workable option. Horses are usually not kept in pack pens as the animals require a significant amount of space, therefore, whole newsprint would not be a feasible alternative use. However, for tie or box stalls, chopped paper may be an option.
Another disadvantage to whole newsprint for bedding in pens is that a solid base is not formed compared to straw, corn cobs or cornstalks. To create this base, fibrous bedding can be mixed with the newsprint bedding.
There are advantages to using whole newsprint. Newsprint is readily available if it can be collected in' a central place. Very little processing needs to be done, because chopping and baling is not necessary. However, the colored slick sheets should be separated from the newsprint.
To use sheets of newsprint, the recommended mix is two-thirds newsprint and one third straw, corn cobs or corn stalks. This mixture provides the benefits of both products. The straw, corn cobs or corn stalks provides the fibrous material for the base so the paper will appropriately pack, and the newsprint provides the absorption and insulation.
Barn management style and facilities will affect the feasibility of whole newsprint as a bedding alternative.
All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.
Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Adm. and Director, OSU Extension.
TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868